Addis Ababa, November 21, 2025 (FMC) – Africa must develop the capacity to feed its own people using its resources, innovation, and determination, Agriculture Minister Addisu Arega said, emphasizing that food sovereignty is fundamentally linked to dignity, stability, and economic independence.

Speaking at the two-day International Conference on Ensuring Food Sovereignty in African Countries, organized by the Russian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Minister Addisu described ensuring food sovereignty as one of the continent’s most defining priorities.

“Ensuring inclusive and sustainable food sovereignty for Africa is not merely a matter of agricultural productivity. It is an issue of dignity, stability, and economic independence,” he said.

Addis Ababa, November 19, 2025 (FMC) — Denmark’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sune Krogstrup, reaffirmed his country’s strong support for Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation, pledging approximately US$79 million to the newly launched Agricultural Commercialization through Climate-Smart and Inclusive Innovations (ACCII) program.

Speaking at the official launch on Tuesday, Ambassador Krogstrup said Denmark is proud to be a “first mover and trusted partner” in supporting ACCII, which aims to transition smallholder farming toward a more commercial, competitive, and climate-smart agricultural sector.

Addis Ababa, November 19, 2025 (FMC) — The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has positioned the second phase of the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters initiative, known as ACCII, as a nationwide pivot toward market-led agricultural growth, emphasizing expanded commercialization, private-sector participation, and climate-smart solutions.

The program was officially launched on Tuesday, November 18, during a high-level event in Addis Ababa that brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, and smallholder farmer delegates to mark the transition from the initial ACC program to ACCII.

Addis Ababa, November 19, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Agriculture Minister, Addisu Arega, emphasized that farmers’ ownership and discipline are central to the success of the second phase of the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters initiative, the Agricultural Commercialization through Climate-Smart and Inclusive Innovations (ACCII) program, which aims to modernize agriculture and strengthen rural livelihoods.

The program was officially launched on Tuesday, November 18, during a high-level event in Addis Ababa attended by government officials, development partners, private-sector representatives, and smallholder farmers.

Minister Addisu described ACCII as “not simply a continuation” of the first phase but a strategic consolidation and scale-up informed by lessons, evidence, and experiences from ACC I.

Addis Ababa, November 18, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has officially launched the second phase of its Agricultural Commercialization Clusters initiative, introducing the Agricultural Commercialization through Climate-Smart and Inclusive Innovations (ACCII) program, a nationwide effort designed to scale up productivity, resilience, and market integration across the agriculture sector.

The launch event, held in Addis Ababa, brought together senior government officials, regional leaders, development partners, private sector representatives, and smallholder farmer delegates, marking what is considered a major milestone in Ethiopia’s long-term agricultural transformation agenda.

Addis Ababa, November 15, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia is preparing to officially launch the second phase of its Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) initiative, the Agricultural Commercialization through Climate-Smart Inclusive Innovations (ACCII) program, next Tuesday, November 18.

The launch will bring together government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders to highlight the country’s commitment to climate-smart agriculture, inclusive value chains, and rural transformation.

Ahead of the official launch, a media briefing was held today, where journalists from various media outlets were briefed by senior directors of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI).

Addis Ababa, November 12, 2025 (FMC) – Debre Berhan, the capital of North Shewa Zone in the Amhara region, is emerging as a growing center for industrial development, Deputy Prime Minister [Name] said Tuesday during a visit to several factories in the city.

Deputy PM Temesgen described Debre Berhan as a “center of gravity for industry,” highlighting the city’s role in Ethiopia’s ongoing structural transition from an agriculture-based economy to a manufacturing-led one.

Among the sites visited was the newly inaugurated Brown Foods maize processing factory, which began operations on the same day. The factory is designed to strengthen linkages between maize-producing farmers and the industrial sector, substitute imported products with locally manufactured goods, and create employment opportunities for youth.

Addis Ababa, November 10, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to sharing its successful experience in wheat development with countries across Eastern Africa, emphasizing the role of policy, research, and farmer participation in driving agricultural transformation.

The pledge was made during the 19th Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Eastern Africa, held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Strengthening Partnerships and Investment for Accelerated Agrifood System Transformation and Climate Resilience in the Eastern Africa Subregion.”

Speaking on behalf of Agriculture Minister Mr. Addisu Arega, Agriculture State Minister Meles Mekonnen highlighted that Ethiopia’s wheat and landscape restoration achievements demonstrate how coordinated policies, research capacity, development  . . . 

Addis Ababa, November 7, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reviewed the progress of the Megech Irrigation Development Project, a major agricultural initiative located near the outskirts of Gondar city in Ethiopia’s Amhara region.

A video released on the Prime Minister’s official social media pages shows him and senior government officials touring the project site and inspecting ongoing construction works.

“During our review in Gondar, we assessed the progress of the Megech Irrigation Development Project. The project covers a total area of 870 hectares and is expected to irrigate approximately 17,000 hectares of land,” Prime Minister Abiy said.

He noted that the project has reached a critical phase with the successful completion of river diversion works — a key milestone in advancing toward full operation.

Addis Ababa, November 1, 2025 (FMC) – The government is actively scaling up Ethiopia’s rural corridor development program, transforming farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring inclusive prosperity by promoting balanced growth between urban and rural areas, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Government Communication Service (GCS) said today.

The program is building on the successes of urban corridor development, starting with Addis Ababa, and is now extending to 68 major cities and towns across the country. The initiative is shaping cities as model urban centers, providing equitable development that can serve as an example regionally and internationally.

However, GCS emphasized that urban transformation alone is not sufficient to achieve nationwide prosperity, since the majority of Ethiopians are residing in rural areas.

Addis Ababa, October 30, 2025 (FMC) — Ongoing transformation in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector is a clear indication that the country is steadily moving toward overcoming poverty, according to Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh.

The Deputy Prime Minister was commenting on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit on Wednesday to East Shewa Zone in Oromia Regional State, where the Prime Minister and senior government officials reviewed the wheat harvest and launched a program to develop irrigated wheat cultivation.

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen noted that the current wheat, banana, and papaya cultivation in the zone shows promising results. He highlighted that the area, once reliant on safety net programs, is now witnessing remarkable agricultural development.

Addis Ababa, October 30, 2025 (FMC) — Transforming the lives of rural communities and increasing agricultural productivity are central to achieving Ethiopia’s overall prosperity in a short time, according to Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, Tagese Chafo.

The Speaker joined Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s high-level delegation on a visit to East Shewa Zone in Oromia Region on Wednesday, where they reviewed the rainy season wheat harvest and launched summer wheat production activities.

Tagese Chafo indicated that the government is working to improve rural livelihoods while also transforming cities to make them more convenient for residents and increasing job creation. He highlighted that, given the majority of Ethiopia’s population lives in rural areas, government efforts are focused on improving the lives of rural citizens and boosting productivity.

Addis Ababa, October 30, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia is accelerating the transformation of its livestock sector through the Bounty of the Basket (YeLemat Trufat) program, a national initiative designed to increase livestock productivity, improve nutrition, and build resilient, self-sustaining agricultural systems, the country’s Agriculture Ministry said today.

The flagship program was highlighted during the opening of the country’s first international animal husbandry exhibition and congress today, signaling the government’s commitment to modernizing the sector and ensuring food security.

The three-day event, hosted at Millennium Hall, brings together over 100 participants from 14 countries, including national pavilions from the Netherlands and Brazil, and is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors from Ethiopia, East Africa, and beyond.

Addis Ababa, October 29, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has reaffirmed that Ethiopia’s true transformation depends on its own efforts, not external assistance.

During his visit to East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, today, the Prime Minister reviewed the performance of the rainy season wheat harvest and officially launched the summer wheat production campaign in the area.

He also inspected the progress of banana, papaya, and fish cluster developments, which form part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen agricultural diversification and productivity.

Addis Ababa, October 25, 2025 (FMC) — Medium and high dams for energy and irrigation will be inaugurated and put into operation in the coming months, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while presiding over discussions with members of the Council of Ministers at the Koysha Hydroelectric Dam Project in Southwest Ethiopia this week.

The visit was part of the assessment of the macroeconomic performance of the first 100 days of the 2018 E.C. (2025/26 fiscal year) and provided an opportunity to review progress on national development projects.

According to the Prime Minister, the Somali Regional State Irrigation Project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the Welmel Irrigation Development Project are among the recently inaugurated initiatives.

Addis Ababa, October 18, 2025 (FMC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today inaugurated the Welmel River Irrigation Development Project in Delo-Mena Woreda of the Bale Zone, a major initiative designed to enhance agricultural productivity and advance Ethiopia’s goal of food sovereignty.

Implemented by the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands, the project harnesses the potential of the Welmel River to establish a sustainable surface irrigation system. It aims to transform local farming systems that have long depended on rain-fed agriculture by introducing reliable irrigation infrastructure and community-centered water management.

Addis Ababa, October 16, 2025 (FMC) — The Ethiopian Agriculture Transformation Institute (ATI) has been awarded the FAO Achievement Award by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, recognizing its significant contributions to agricultural development and transformation in Ethiopia, FMC has learned from a press release received from the institute.

The FAO Achievement Award is presented to individuals and institutions worldwide that demonstrate exceptional performance and impact in advancing sustainable agriculture, rural development, food security, and innovation.

ATI said its work has been acknowledged for its efforts in strengthening agricultural extension and training services, promoting climate-resilient and inclusive farming systems, and fostering knowledge exchange across the agricultural sector.

Addis Ababa, October 14, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s remarkable achievements in ensuring food sovereignty and agricultural transformation have drawn strong recognition at the World Food Forum 2025, taking place this week at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, under the global theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”

The Forum, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has brought together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, scientists, and youth from more than 100 countries to exchange experiences and scale up solutions toward sustainable food systems.

Ethiopia is represented at the week-long event by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa, State Minister for Agriculture Sofia Kassa, and a delegation of agricultural experts. The country’s recent progress toward self-sufficiency and food sovereignty has been cited as .....

Addis Ababa, October 2, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today laid the foundation stone for two major industrial projects in Somali Region: a urea fertilizer plant and the Gode Oil Refinery.

The fertilizer plant, developed by Ethiopian Investment Holdings in partnership with the Dangote Group, will have an annual production capacity of 3 million tons. It will utilize natural gas from the Calub fields, delivered through a 108-kilometer pipeline.

The Gode Oil Refinery, to be constructed by Golden Concord Group Limited (GCL), will produce 3.5 million tons of oil per year, using crude oil and condensate from the Hilala oil field.

In a social media statement, PM Abiy said the projects represent more than industrial progress.