Archive for category: Uncategorized

The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved a $80m grant from the International Development Association to support the government of Ethiopia to boost agricultural productivity and enhance market access for smallholder farmers.

According to a press release issued by the bank, the additional financing for the Second Agricultural Growth Project (AGPII) will further increase the economic potential of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

AGPII has helped to increase access to agricultural services for nearly 1.4 million smallholder farmers (37% women). It has also successfully promoted over 254 new agricultural technologies with significant impact on crop productivity as well as climate-smart interventions.

Additionally, the project has been instrumental in helping farmers adapt to climate change by completing 2,629 new small-scale irrigation schemes and upgrading existing irrigation infrastructure, which made possible the irrigation of 23,290 hectares of agricultural land.

The market infrastructure and value chain investments made under the project have been critical for connecting farmers with markets and enhancing commercialization. These activities have resulted in substantial increases in yield per hectare and raised farmers’ incomes. They have also led to enhanced nutritional outcomes for farmers.

“The agricultural sector is crucial to Ethiopia’s economy as it accounts for 45 percent of total output and employs nearly 80 percent of the labor force. While encouraging results have been achieved so far, more work is needed to address remaining challenges and accelerate productivity gains, reduce exposure to erratic climatic conditions, decrease land degradation and enhance the natural resource base on which the sector depends,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan.

This additional financing will help to address these challenges and is key to ensuring that Ethiopia’s agricultural sector reaches its full potential. The funds will go towards scaling up results achieved so far and enhancing the technical design of various activities.

Furthermore, the funds will fill the unanticipated financing gaps created by high inflation and accelerate the implementation of project activities that have been delayed due to significant cost-over run.

AGPII is implemented in 167 woredas (districts) in Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Harari regional states as well as Dire Dawa city administration.

According to a press release issued by the Bank, the project will directly benefit 1.6 million smallholder farmers, who live in areas with the highest potential for agricultural growth.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated paperless customs service on Saturday.

On the inauguration ceremony, the Premier noted that the paperless customs service has multifaceted benefits for the country.

The new technology also plays a critical role to strengthen country’s economy by modernizing the service and encouraging global investment.

“We will continue implementing technologically advanced service provision in all sectors.” Prime Minister Abiy said on the occasion.

The Customs Commission has undertaken a wide range of institutional reform activities over the last few years, it was indicated.

The inauguration ceremony of Sheger Park’s Friendship Square took place this morning.

President Sahle-Work Zewde, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, religious leaders and invited guests attended the event.

Wishing all Ethiopians a happy New Year, the President said the Sheger park would help better elevate the image and status of Addis Ababa.

Besides building image of the country and the city, parks built in Addis Ababa could be a testimony to what we can do if we work together, she said.

“If our efforts of beautifying our nation go hand in hand with other development efforts, we can change the image of the country within a short period of time,” the President said.

The Sheger has created jobs for more people, she said, adding Addis Ababa city administration and its dwellers need to take lesson from the park to jointly develop other smaller parks.

Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Tan Jian, said Sheger Park’s Friendship Square is a timely New Year gift for Ethiopians and a new landmark of Addis Ababa.

It shows Ethiopia’s civilization, many different cultures and unity, he said, adding it is a project which affirms the long-standing friendship between Ethiopia and China.

During the event, the Prime Minister gave certificates of recognition to Chinese government and other individuals who contributed for the construction of the park.

Sheger park was initiated by the Prime Minister last year to make Addis Ababa an urban tourism site.

During the inauguration, parades were held by various professionals and service providers.

Ethiopian security forces also performed military demonstrations on air and the ground. The inauguration culminated with a flag ceremony.

The annual meeting of senior officials, ambassadors, and consul Generals under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has been concluded today.

The meeting was held under the theme: “Diplomatic Mission to National Prosperity,” in Bishoftu town for the last 15 consecutive days.

Attendees have deliberated upon the Ministry’s performance in the current fiscal year and charted out a plan for the upcoming Ethiopian New Year taking the major issues that the ministry has to carry out into consideration.

Senior officials and various stakeholders tabled their views on the revised foreign policy of the country in line with the concept of “medemer” as expounded by H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The meeting is concluded today with a pledge from participants to advance the interest of Ethiopia with support of the lessons drawn from the two weeks long meeting.

The World Bank (WB) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to work closely with the Government of Ethiopia.

In a twitter post, the World Bank Ethiopia Country office said “The World Bank continues to work closely with the Government of Ethiopia and is in full support of the country’s economic reform program and it’s financing.”

“Our overall financing program in support to Ethiopia development efforts is about US$ 2.9 billion for the first year of IDA-19 cycle. The submission of different projects including the budget support to the World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors for discussion and decision in following its normal course.”