AGP Executive Report

Telecom Digital Push: Ethio telecom says it has completed the first year of its three-year “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond” strategy, aiming to grow from connectivity into digital financial services, cloud and enterprise platforms, with a target of 96.2 million customers by 2026/27 and 4G coverage reaching 95% of the population. Green Industry Upgrade: Heineken Ethiopia will launch a 4 billion birr (US$24.5M) green energy project at its Kilinto brewery in October, switching the plant to green electricity to cut heavy fuel oil use and support its carbon-neutral push. Horn Trade Integration: Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to deeper Horn of Africa integration, linking its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda to regional trade corridors and trade-facilitating infrastructure. Energy Diplomacy & Regional Links: A new push to build competing East Africa fuel hubs is gaining momentum, with reports of talks around Dangote’s Lamu refinery and possible stakes from regional players including Rwanda and Ethiopia. Food Systems Powered by Renewables: Experts at the Africa Food Systems Forum urged stronger coordination and investment to power irrigation, processing, cold storage and transport with renewables, arguing energy must be treated as core to food security. Regional Business Spotlight: Africa’s Business Heroes 2026 Top 10 highlights founders across agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing, including Ethiopia, with women making up 40% of the cohort.

Real Estate & Trade Events: Aman Properties has made its public debut in Addis Ababa and announced Aman Addis Expo 2026 (Sept 4–7) at Laphto Mall, uniting New Life, Lafto Life and Sky View under one brand with new projects in Kazanchis and Bisrate Gebriel. Power & Exports: Ethiopia increased electricity exports by 25% and earned $475.7m in the latest fiscal year, with hydropower driving 97% of generation and plans for wind and solar additions. Agriculture & Food Security: Ethiopia says it achieved wheat self-sufficiency after the National Wheat Flagship Program, while state officials also cite fertilizer distribution, dry-season irrigated wheat expansion, and Green Legacy watershed work. Coffee Value Chains: China-backed partnerships aim to expand Ethiopia–China coffee trade, with Yunnan pushing for more specialty and deeper-processed imports. Investment & Industry Support: Finance Minister Ahmed Shide met IFC to scale private investment via PPPs and projects in transport, energy and housing; exporters also credit macro reforms for easing constraints. Climate Risk: A “supersized” El Niño is intensifying extreme weather risks across the Horn, raising pressure on food and humanitarian systems. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt hardens its stance as Ethiopia plans more Nile dams, while India and Ethiopia discuss defence cooperation including training and joint manufacturing. Health & Safety: A study estimates nearly half of the world’s farmers face pesticide poisoning each year, with eastern Africa among the hardest hit.

Energy Exports: Ethiopia’s state power firm says electricity export earnings hit $475.7m, up 25%, as generating capacity rose past 9,000MW and hydropower supplied 97% of output—boosting revenue and reinforcing plans for wind and solar additions. Agribusiness & Food Security: Ethiopia reports wheat self-sufficiency after the National Wheat Flagship Program, citing import replacement of about 2.6m quintals and annual savings near $1bn, while officials say prices remain a key pressure point for millers. Coffee Trade & Value Addition: Chinese and Ethiopian firms agreed to expand coffee trade via closer industrial supply-chain partnerships, including Yunnan’s push for deeper-processed specialty coffee inputs from Ethiopia. Investment & Trade Promotion: Brazil’s ApexBrasil opened a permanent Addis Ababa office to cut investor information barriers and link Brazilian agribusiness know-how with Ethiopia’s coffee, seeds, livestock and modern agribusiness. Private Sector Finance: Finance Minister Ahmed Shide met IFC’s managing director to expand private investment, with IFC backing across agribusiness, manufacturing, telecoms, healthcare and transport through PPPs and projects. Macroeconomic Reforms: Exporters say reforms are easing business constraints and opening new destinations, improving operations for firms selling fresh produce abroad. Public Health & Industry Inputs: Ethiopia plans a nationwide blood lead level study targeting children and women to map exposure sources—relevant for industrial safety and consumer product regulation. Cybersecurity: Iran-linked “Mirage Kitten” used fake job coding tests to deliver malware, highlighting risks to software supply chains. Diplomacy for Industry: India and Ethiopia discussed expanding defence training and joint defence manufacturing, alongside UN peacekeeping cooperation.

Public Health & Industry: Ethiopia will launch its first nationwide blood lead level study in the Ethiopian New Year, led by the Ministry of Health and EPHI with Vital Strategies and CDC Foundation, targeting children 6–59 months and women 15–49 to map exposure sources and impacts. Trade & Value Addition: Ethiopia and China’s Yunnan Province are pushing deeper coffee cooperation, with Ethiopia pitching investment opportunities across processing, roasting, instant coffee, capsules and packaging to move beyond exporting green beans. Health Supply Chains: A new Africa-wide supply chain report says AI is already cutting procurement and paperwork bottlenecks, citing Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service savings from AI-enabled facility forecasting. Refugee Services & Livelihoods: Ethiopia’s Refugee and Returnee Service reforms are expanding self-reliance programs, including livestock, fruit/vegetables, poultry, beekeeping and plant cultivation, as the country hosts over 1.1 million refugees. Cybersecurity for Developers: Iranian-linked hackers are using fake recruiter job interviews and coding challenges to deliver cross-platform malware (NodeRabbit and PollCat) targeting developers in Ethiopia and other countries. Maritime & Water Strategy: Ethiopia continues to frame Red Sea access as a national economic need, while accusing Egypt of actions that fuel internal disputes and obstruct maritime goals.

EU–Ethiopia Economic Alignment: Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda is being positioned as a partner to the EU’s Global Gateway, with HPR foreign affairs chair Dima Noggo saying both frameworks must align priorities and responsibility to unlock private-sector-led, digitally enabled industrial growth. Coffee Value Addition Push: Ethiopia and China’s Yunnan Province are stepping up cooperation to deepen coffee trade and investment, with opportunities across processing, roasting, instant coffee, capsules and packaging to move beyond exporting raw beans. Refugee Service Reform: Ethiopia’s Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh highlighted self-reliant institutional reforms at the Refugee and Returnee Service, including livelihood programs like livestock, fruit/vegetables, poultry, beekeeping and plant cultivation. Health Supply Chains Go AI: A new Africa-wide supply chain report says AI is already easing key healthcare bottlenecks; Ethiopia is cited for saving $38m via AI-enabled, facility-level forecasting in public procurement. Cybersecurity for Developers: Iranian-linked hackers are using fake recruiter roles and coding tests to deliver cross-platform malware (NodeRabbit, PollCat) targeting aviation, aerospace and fintech developers, with sightings including Ethiopia. Red Sea Water Tensions: Ethiopia again rejects Egypt’s efforts to obstruct its Red Sea access, while a former GERD negotiator argues upstream storage in Ethiopia’s highlands could cut evaporation losses seen in Egypt’s reservoirs. Tourism Recognition: Anbessa Travel won Ethiopia’s Leading Destination Management Company 2026 at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala.

Mining & Boardroom Moves: Kefi Gold and Copper appointed Danny Callow as an independent non-executive director, shaping its Ethiopia Tulu Kapi mine development governance ahead of production. Water & Hydropower Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s water officials argue Egypt’s reservoir evaporation losses could be reduced by shifting more storage upstream in Ethiopia’s cooler highland gorges, estimating Aswan evaporation at 15–16 bcm annually. Air Cargo & Logistics: My Freighter Airlines opened tenders for General Sales Agents across key Asian and African markets, including Ethiopia, aiming to expand international cargo flows. Health Supply Chains: Ethiopia’s Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) won a Gold Award for supply-chain reforms and digital procurement improvements, supporting distribution to thousands of health facilities nationwide. Agrifood Jobs Pressure: A new AGRA report says Africa has improved agrifood systems over two decades, but progress must better translate into farmer income and resilience. Skills & TVET: YES-PACT highlights Ethiopia’s TVET strategy implementation and digitalisation review, while Uganda’s TVET Act moves toward longer-term trainer funding and private-sector participation. Finance & Consumer Protection: Ethiopia’s National Bank invited bids to build a Financial Services Price Comparator Tool to improve transparency and consumer decision-making. Energy & Climate Finance: A policy piece explores how carbon markets could help close Africa’s large climate funding gap.

Energy & Climate Shock: Escalating global energy chokepoints are pushing up fuel, food and shipping costs across Africa, forcing governments into painful trade-offs between stabilising prices, protecting public services and keeping climate investments on track—Ethiopia included. Aviation & Trade Logistics: Ethiopian Airlines launched a direct Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route, using Boeing 777F capacity to move cargo into a network of 54 African destinations via Addis Ababa. Health Supply Chain: Ethiopia’s Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) won a Gold Award at the Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards for procurement and supply-chain reforms, citing digital transformation and ERP-driven decisions. Mining & Industrial Build-Out: MIDROC Gold Mine is building a new western Ethiopia processing plant to treat 1.25 million tonnes of ore annually, with Austrian engineering firm CEMETC supplying and installing equipment. Policy & Finance Infrastructure: Ethiopia’s National Bank invited bids to develop a Financial Services Price Comparator Tool to improve transparency and consumer protection in the financial sector. Skills for Jobs: YES-PACT highlights Ethiopia’s TVET strategy implementation progress, including work tied to digitalisation and AI coordination.

Bilateral Trade & Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s week in the spotlight included hosting the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa, with ministers and delegates from 47 member states reviewing health priorities and new regional strategies. Energy & Grid Reliability: Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) says compensation disputes and gaps in valuation procedures are tying up over seven billion birr and slowing electrification, after a revised expropriation framework shifted responsibilities to regions without clear implementation guidance. Investment & Partnerships: Thailand’s deputy PM and foreign minister visited Addis Ababa to deepen ties, signing an MoU for regular high-level political consultations and pointing to Ethiopia’s young workforce and resource base as key investment pull factors. Industry & Compliance: Ethiopia’s Ministry of Revenues has started installing high-definition surveillance cameras in excise-duty manufacturing sites like breweries and bottling plants, aiming to curb tax evasion and production under-reporting. Agribusiness & Value Chains: Ethiopia’s beeswax sector is gaining momentum as rising domestic demand from soap, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals lifts prices and creates additional rural income. Regional Connectivity: Ethiopia’s maritime strategy and sea-access push remain central to its development agenda, with Addis Ababa positioned as a hub for regional cooperation.

Energy & Grid Finance: Ethiopian Electric Power says compensation disputes are blocking electrification, with over 7 billion birr tied up in legal battles and new valuation rules stalled by weak regional implementation. Tax Enforcement in Industry: The Ministry of Revenues is installing HD surveillance cameras in excise-duty factories like breweries and bottling plants to curb evasion and revenue leakages. Trade & Logistics: Ethiopian Airlines launched a direct Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter link, starting twice weekly and aiming to expand, to move cargo across 54 African destinations. EV Charging Expansion: Anari Energy reports commercial fast-charging breakthroughs in Kenya and Ethiopia, adding to deployments across 40+ countries. Agribusiness Value Chains: Ethiopia is turning beeswax into a bigger income stream as domestic demand grows for soap, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Regional Business Diplomacy: Ethiopia and Thailand held a business bridge in Addis Ababa to push investment and B2B matchmaking. Maritime Stakes: Ethiopia’s maritime access remains central as regional security and water politics intensify around the Horn and Red Sea corridors. Currency Pressure: Ethiopia’s birr weakness is linked to hard-currency shortages and higher import costs, with central bank support failing to stop new lows.

Excise Crackdown in Industry: Ethiopia’s Ministry of Revenues is installing high-definition surveillance cameras in breweries and bottling plants to curb tax evasion, with about 300 million birr earmarked for the rollout. Air Cargo Boost: Ethiopian Airlines launched a direct Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route, starting twice weekly, to connect Southwest China with cargo distribution across Africa. EV Charging Expansion: Anari Energy says its fast-charging products have reached new milestones, including commercial fast DC breakthroughs in Kenya and Ethiopia. Maritime Security Planning: Ethiopia proposed a National Maritime Information Centre as Red Sea and Gulf of Aden threats rise, pushing for better information-sharing among regional states. Water & Power Projects: Koysha Dam needs an extra €500m to finish, while GERD continues to supply a large share of Ethiopia’s electricity. Trade & Diplomacy: Ethiopia and Thailand held a business bridge in Addis Ababa to deepen B2B ties. Macroeconomic Forecasting Upgrade: The IMF will replace Ethiopia’s forecasting model by September 2026 with a new adaptive framework. Border Dispute Talk: VP Taban Deng rejected map claims that place the Ilemi Triangle in Kenya, calling it a zone for bilateral discussion. Exports Reality Check: Commentary warns Ethiopia’s export gains are concentrated in gold and coffee, leaving foreign exchange exposed to world price swings.

Beeswax Boom: Ethiopia’s beekeepers are turning overlooked beeswax into a fast-growing income stream as domestic demand rises for soap, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, with prices reportedly jumping from 200–300 birr per kilo to over 1,500 birr. Air Cargo Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines launched a direct Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route, starting twice weekly, to link Southwest China with cargo distribution across Africa. EV Charging Expansion: Anari Energy says its DC fast-charging products are now operating in multiple countries and has reached breakthroughs in Kenya, Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire. Water & Dams Debate: A Kings of Abbay founder reiterated Ethiopia’s right to build dams beyond GERD, pushing back on Egypt’s renewed rhetoric. Business Diplomacy: Ethiopia and Thailand held a B2B forum in Addis Ababa to deepen trade, investment and practical company partnerships. Maritime Security: Ethiopia proposed a National Maritime Information Centre as Red Sea and Gulf of Aden threats drive regional cooperation talks in Nairobi. Power Project Funding: Koysha Hydroelectric Project needs an extra €500m to finish, with GERD supplying 52% of Ethiopia’s power. Macroeconomic Planning: The IMF will replace Ethiopia’s forecasting model by September 2026 with a new dynamic framework. Drought Pressure on Industry: Drought near Simien Mountains is hitting 115,000 households and killing livestock, threatening local livelihoods and supply chains.

Maritime Security: Ethiopia is pushing for a National Maritime Information Centre after regional talks in Nairobi with Somalia, Yemen and Djibouti to improve information-sharing and protect the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from piracy and illegal fishing. Macroeconomic Planning: The IMF will replace Ethiopia’s legacy forecasting model by September 2026 with a new CAEM framework to better manage the floating exchange rate, monetary policy and debt sustainability. Power & Infrastructure: Koysha Hydroelectric needs about €500m more to finish; GERD already supplies 52% of Ethiopia’s electricity, while Koysha is 77% complete with full operations targeted for 2029. Education Shock: Ethiopia’s Grade 12 pass rate hit 12.8% (up from 8.9%), but coverage warns the slight improvement masks a deep secondary-school failure affecting nearly nine in ten students. Mining Regulation: Despite record cadaster activity, regulatory gaps are still stifling Ethiopia’s critical minerals industry and limiting real production. Trade & Logistics: Ethiopian Airlines launched a Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route to cut transit times and strengthen cargo links between western China and Africa. Health Systems: WHO’s Africa regional committee opened in Addis Ababa, spotlighting stronger regulation, local manufacturing and sustainable financing to advance universal health coverage.

Health & Industry Regulation: Ethiopia’s hosting of WHO Africa RC76 in Addis Ababa put local manufacturing and stronger regulation in the spotlight, with ministers urging sustainable health financing and better oversight to expand access to quality medicines. Pharma Capacity Gap: Cameroon reported growth to 19 pharmaceutical production units by 2026, but local output still covers under 5% of national medicine demand, citing financing limits, energy and raw-material sourcing, and payment delays. Trade & Logistics: The World Bank highlighted Ethiopia’s Mojo Dry Port as a practical model for regional integration, stressing that cutting border delays, payment frictions and transport costs can help African firms scale and move from raw-material exports to higher-value goods. Air Cargo Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines launched a scheduled Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route (Boeing 777F), aiming to reduce transit times and strengthen a new China–Africa cargo corridor. Energy & Security Policy: A U.S. executive order expanded scrutiny of foreign-produced bulk-power equipment, signaling tighter procurement checks for grid inverters, battery storage and related systems—relevant for renewable and data-center projects. Nile Water Tensions: Ethiopia rejected Egypt’s Nile accusations, with experts arguing Egypt contributes no flow and that Ethiopia’s development use is consistent with equitable utilization. Maritime Security: Red Sea states, including Ethiopia, agreed to boost information sharing and coordination to counter piracy, trafficking and shipping disruptions.

Ethiopia–France Health Partnership: Ethiopia’s health ministry held talks with France’s Unitaid leadership on scaling rapid diagnostics, maternal care, and boosting local manufacturing of essential medicines, equipment, and medical oxygen—aiming to position Ethiopia as a regional health and medical tourism hub. Green Logistics & Smart Mobility: Ethiopia and South Korea discussed expanding cooperation under the Ethiopost Green Logistics Transition Package, with a focus on modern, greener logistics systems and technology integration. Urban Waste Risk in Addis Ababa: A new risk assessment mapped hazards at Repi open dumpsite, flagging downstream river and groundwater pollution as the top threat and highlighting occupational dangers for informal waste pickers. Water & the Abay Dispute: A former Ethiopian water minister urged the government to press Egypt for compensation over Abay (Nile) water use, arguing Ethiopia’s planned dams are mainly for hydropower and reuse of the same water. Agribusiness Update: In Gamo South, banana farming spans 75,000 hectares, producing about 3.8 million tons annually, with efforts to raise productivity via new varieties and organic fertilizer. Regional Trade & Investment: Coverage also points to Ethiopia’s investment push and growing cross-border interest, including Kenyan firms expanding into Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. BRICS Grain Probe: BRICS launched a joint inquiry into potential monopolies in global grain trade, with Ethiopia among the bloc members.

Tigray Security: Ethiopia’s ENDF has carried out drone strikes across Tigray, marking the first sustained military confrontation since the 2022 war as tensions with TPLF-linked factions persist. Nile Water Diplomacy: Former Ethiopian water minister Shiferaw Jarso urged Addis Ababa to press Egypt for compensation over Abay (Nile) use, arguing Ethiopia’s dams for hydropower don’t add net water consumption. Health & Industry Link: Ethiopia and France discussed expanding a strategic health partnership, with Ethiopia seeking more support to boost local manufacturing of essential medicines, medical equipment and oxygen. Green Logistics: Ethiopia and South Korea explored cooperation on green logistics and smart mobility, including progress on the Ethiopost Green Logistics Transition Package ODA project. Investment Climate: Ethiopia’s Investment Turnaround narrative highlights major commitments from the Invest in Ethiopia 2026 Forum, signaling a shift toward private-sector-led growth. Regional Governance: Ethiopia will host the African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa (Nov 5–7, 2026) focused on governing for growth and youth and women’s inclusion. Food Security: WFP received 2,400 mt of Korean rice (USD 2.9m) to support 100,000 refugees and host communities in Ethiopia.

Health Diplomacy: Ethiopia and France held talks to deepen a strategic health partnership, with Ethiopia asking for expanded French support to boost local manufacturing of essential pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and oxygen, while scaling HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB diagnostics and maternal care. Green Logistics & Mobility: Ethiopia and South Korea discussed expanding cooperation in green logistics and smart mobility, focusing on the Ethiopost Green Logistics Transition Package ODA project and deeper tech integration in transport operations. Universal Health Coverage Push: Tanzania called for stronger domestic health financing and universal health insurance enrollment, while WHO-backed regional efforts endorsed strategies to give African children “the best start in life” and to add 3 million health workers by 2035. Nile Water Tensions: A professor told ENA Egypt’s Abay stance violates AU principles on consultation and equitable use, arguing Ethiopia’s water diplomacy is built on joint development. Regional Health Security: WHO urged stronger regional action as DRC Ebola cases topped 5,600, citing insecurity, population movement and mistrust as drivers of cross-border risk. Ethiopia’s Export Governance: An agricultural economist argues Ethiopia needs a unified export strategy under one empowered lead institution to cut fragmentation and bottlenecks. Digital Growth Signal: EBANX analysis says Ethiopia is among the fastest-growing markets for video gaming e-commerce, with spend projected to exceed $500m by 2035.