AGP Executive Report

Climate Displacement: New reporting says the climate crisis has displaced more than 250 million people since 2015, with Ethiopia named among countries where climate risks overlap with conflict. COP32 Focus: Former COP president Laurent Fabius tells Ethiopia to prioritize delivery over new promises as COP32 planning ramps up. El Niño Watch: A new analysis warns this year’s El Niño is likely to be the strongest on record, raising stakes for drought and flood preparedness. Renewables for Ethiopia: The AfDB approved up to $110m for the 300MW Aysha wind project, positioning it as a major clean-energy boost for the grid. Transport Decarbonisation: Ethiopia says it’s pushing an integrated, technology-driven transport system under BRICS talks, including electric vehicles and electric rail. Digital Mobility Regulation: Ethiopia’s fast-growing e-taxi hailing sector is now asking for clearer rules and a mandated regulator as it expands into payments and data handling. Tigray Human Rights: Protests in Addis Ababa demand an end to alleged forced recruitment in Tigray, as rights groups warn of a widening climate of fear. National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s long-awaited national dialogue conference is underway in Addis Ababa with thousands of delegates working toward binding consensus.

Renewed Tigray Rights Push: Protesters gathered at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa demanding an end to abductions and forced recruitment of young people in Tigray, accusing the (now-defunct) TPLF of escalating repression and drawing international attention. Clean Power Boost: The AfDB approved up to $110m for Ethiopia’s 300MW Aysha wind project, aiming to strengthen the grid with clean energy near the Djibouti border. Water Access, Faster: A new automated water point in Moyale (Mormora Kebele) lets residents use ATM cards to get clean water 24/7, cutting long, unsafe journeys and waterborne illness risk. Climate Voice for COP32: Africa’s climate negotiators and civil society leaders urged a unified, community-led voice ahead of COP32 (Ethiopia expected to host), stressing that farmers, pastoralists, women, youth and vulnerable groups must shape positions. Digital Infrastructure Partnerships: Ethio Telecom is exploring deeper ties with Huawei and Inspur to expand cloud, AI-ready data centers, cybersecurity and local software capacity. Fisheries from GERD Reservoir: Benishangul-Gumuz reported 10,799 tons of fish harvested from Negat Lake (formed by Aby River and feeding GERD), linking hydropower with jobs and tourism.

Climate Policy & Carbon Markets: China and India have declined to back old UN carbon credit projects moving into the new Article 6.4 market, cutting approvals to just 415 of 1,500+ applicants by the June deadline—raising doubts about how well the successor mechanism will deliver real cuts. Extreme Weather Risk: A “super El Niño” is becoming more likely, with forecasts pointing to record-level Pacific warming that could intensify floods, droughts, and humanitarian pressure across an already warming world. Ethiopia’s Water & Food Economy: Benishangul-Gumuz reports 10,799 tons of fish harvested from Negat Lake (fed by the GERD), linking hydropower infrastructure to jobs, tourism, and local ecological balance. Digital Infrastructure for Climate Resilience: Ethio Telecom is partnering with Inspur to build AI-ready data centers, cloud services, and enterprise digital platforms—aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s digital economy and resilience capacity. National Dialogue & Stability: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference has opened in Addis Ababa, drawing 4,000+ participants and international endorsements, with a focus on ending violence and building consensus—key for long-term environmental and disaster-risk planning. Green Mobility Push: Changan opened Ethiopia’s first showroom for EV-only imports, signaling continued momentum in the country’s shift toward cleaner transport.

OACPS Presidency: Ethiopia assumed the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) presidency, pledging a results-focused agenda on sustainable financing, stronger partnerships, and citizen benefits across 79 member states. National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference opened in Addis Ababa with calls to end the cycle of political violence through inclusive, transparent talks on identity, state structure, corruption, rights, and reconciliation. Sea Access & Law: A Libyan professor argued Ethiopia’s sea-access case rests on established international law and regional agreements for landlocked states, not political bargaining. Climate Risk for the Horn: Experts warn El Niño impacts plus conflict-linked food and fertilizer shocks could trigger a major Greater Horn polycrisis in late 2026–2027, with drought-stressed rains already hitting parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. Digital & Early Warning: China’s MAZU AI early-warning platform is set to expand services, including customized deployments that already cover Ethiopia, boosting multi-hazard monitoring and near-disaster alerts. Green Mobility Push: Changan opened Ethiopia’s first showroom, linking sales and after-sales services to the country’s electric-vehicle adoption and ESG goals. Biosafety Data Access: A new “Biotech Africa Database” aims to centralize biotech and biosafety regulatory information to reduce delays and uncertainty for cross-border approvals and trade. Livestock Trade Agenda: African leaders launched a pastoral livestock forum push to remove trade barriers, attract investment, and build a more unified livestock market under AfCFTA.

National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference opened in Addis Ababa with 4,000+ delegates, aiming to end cycles of political violence through inclusive, transparent talks on identity, state structure, corruption, institutions, rights, and reconciliation—framed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and endorsed by regional leaders. Climate risk & food security: A new warning for the Greater Horn flags a looming polycrisis as weak rains and El Niño impacts combine with conflict and price shocks, with Ethiopia’s highlands highlighted as at risk. Early warning & resilience tech: China’s MAZU AI early-warning platform is set to expand services globally, with Ethiopia already among countries using customized versions for monitoring, forecasting, and multi-hazard alerts. EU-Ethiopia partnership: Ethiopia and the EU discussed deepening cooperation on trade, investment, development finance, renewable energy, digital governance, and critical raw materials, with Ethiopia seeking more European investment in agro-processing, logistics, and industrial development. Biosafety & biotech access: A continental push is underway to centralize biotech and biosafety regulatory information via a digital portal, improving access to approval decisions and cross-border movement requirements. Digital transformation: Ethio Telecom and Huawei are expanding their partnership into AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and IoT services to speed enterprise digital adoption. Biodiversity & protected areas: Research highlights that Ethiopia’s protected areas can support wildlife and biodiversity, but outcomes for nearby communities are uneven.

National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference opened in Addis Ababa with 4,000+ delegates from across 1,200 woredas, aiming for grassroots consensus on lasting peace, unity, and reconciliation. COP32 Prep: Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos met COP21 President Laurent Fabius to draw lessons from Paris and push for a transparent, inclusive, Party-driven COP32 process in 2027. Biodiversity & Livelihoods: A new look at Ethiopia’s national parks says conservation can protect wildlife, but outcomes for nearby communities are uneven—highlighting the need to balance nature goals with local needs. Agrobiodiversity: Researchers discuss Ethiopia’s role as a crop diversity hotspot and the trade-offs between protected areas, food security, and poverty. Digital Agriculture/Biosafety: A continental biotech database is being launched to centralize biosafety and regulatory data, easing access for regulators, traders, and researchers. Digital Transformation: Ethio Telecom and Huawei expand their partnership for AI, cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, and enterprise services. Climate Skills & Youth: Young climate leaders trained in Accra say real influence in negotiations requires technical capacity, not just attendance.

Biotech & Biosafety: ISAAA AfriCenter launched a “Biotech Africa Database” to centralize access to biotech crop approval decisions and cross-border import/export/transit requirements, aiming to cut delays and uncertainty for regulators, researchers, and traders. COP32 Prep: Ethiopia’s COP32 president-designate FM Gedion Timothewos met Laurent Fabius to draw lessons from COP21 and push for a transparent, inclusive, Party-driven COP32 focused on accelerating real climate action. Nile Waters/GERD: Ethiopian lawmakers and analysts rejected Egypt’s “unilateralism” claims over GERD, arguing Ethiopia’s sovereign right to equitable Abay use and warning of an “information warfare” narrative. Protected Areas & Food Security: A new Ethiopia study examines whether national protected areas are delivering both biodiversity gains and local food security, highlighting the land trade-offs behind conservation targets. National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Conference opened in Addis Ababa with 4,000+ representatives, aiming for grassroots-driven consensus on peace, unity, and reconciliation. EU-Ethiopia Cooperation: EU Vice President Kaja Kallas pledged deeper ties with Ethiopia across investment, digital governance, renewables, and critical raw materials, while noting concerns over retroactive laws and taxation. Youth Climate Governance: Young climate leaders from Ethiopia and others say meaningful participation must be backed by technical negotiation skills, not just conference presence. Sanitation Funding (Regional Lesson): Stakeholders in Ghana warned that without a reliable funding model, sanitation gains could stall, stressing waste management as a public good.

National Dialogue: Ethiopia opened its National Dialogue Conference in Addis Ababa, bringing 4,000 grassroots delegates to deliberate for three weeks on political, social, and economic fault lines—an effort framed as a homegrown path to lasting peace and state-building. Digital Transformation Finance: Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives approved €124.6m in concessional loans from Italy and France, including budget support for homegrown economic reforms and funding to modernize command-and-control and asset management systems. Enterprise Tech Push: Ethio telecom and Huawei expanded their digital partnership, aiming to accelerate SME and enterprise growth with connectivity plus cloud, AI, cybersecurity, IoT, and telebirr-linked payments and e-commerce tools. Water Diplomacy/GERD: An American analyst renewed claims that Ethiopia has the right to equitably use the Abay River and accused Egypt of escalating “information warfare” over GERD negotiations. Food Security Aid: The USDA will provide up to $235m via Catholic Relief Services for emergency food and nutrition assistance in Sudan and Ethiopia. Climate Skills for Youth: Ethiopia-linked Green Africa Youth Organization trained young climate negotiators across Africa to strengthen youth participation in UN climate decision-making. Public Health & Climate Finance: A new report highlights that climate change is worsening health risks, while only a tiny share of climate finance reaches health systems. Vaccination Gap: The UN warned that 13.5m children missed routine vaccines, with Ethiopia among the worst-affected countries. Biodiversity/Science: Researchers reported extracting ancient DNA from a 50,000-year-old African antelope tooth, showing DNA can persist far longer in sub-Saharan conditions than previously thought.

Nile Water Diplomacy: Egypt again accuses Ethiopia of “unilateralism” over the GERD, arguing self-defense if Nile security is harmed, while the piece frames the dam as a shift toward equitable use rather than exclusive control. National Dialogue: Ethiopia’s grassroots-built National Dialogue Conference starts tomorrow in Addis Ababa, bringing 4,000 delegates into three weeks of structured deliberations across political, social, and economic fault lines. Economic Reform & Digitalization: Ethiopia’s House unanimously approved €124.6m in concessional loans—€70m from Italy for budget support under a World Bank reform program and €54.6m from France to modernize command-and-control and asset management systems. Pastoral Livestock Markets: The inaugural African Pastoral Markets Forum opened in Addis Ababa, urging investment to turn pastoralism into a growth and food-security engine. Youth Climate Negotiations: GAYO trained young Africans in Accra to strengthen youth roles in UN climate negotiations and climate finance discussions. Climate-Health Finance Gap: A global report highlights that climate change is a public health crisis, but only 0.5% of climate finance targets health. Electric Mobility in Africa: Fuel-price pressure is pushing African countries toward Chinese EVs and electric bikes as an energy-security and emissions strategy. Ethiopia’s Crypto Mining Twist: Ethiopia legalized mining while banning crypto trading, drawing operators seeking cheap hydro power. Coffee Price Volatility: FAO warns that climate shocks and market swings are raising risks for smallholder coffee, cocoa, and tea farmers across Africa.

Ethiopia’s Green Finance Push: Ethiopia’s parliament approved two concessional loan deals totaling €124.6m with Italy and France—supporting macroeconomic reform and digitalization of command-and-control and asset management systems, a move that could speed climate and infrastructure delivery. Clean Mobility Debate: A report highlights Ethiopia’s earlier ban on importing petrol and diesel vehicles and the push for electric-only registration in Delhi, raising questions about air pollution cuts versus livelihood impacts for small operators. Power and Grid Strain: Coverage flags Africa’s growing electricity demand and persistent grid failures, warning that new generation will be wasted without transmission and regional market integration—an issue Ethiopia is actively engaging through power connectivity efforts. Hydropower Meets Crypto: Ethiopia’s legalization of mining (while banning crypto trading) is drawing Bitcoin miners seeking cheap hydroelectric power, with up to 600 MW earmarked for the sector. Climate-Industry Link: Ethiopia partners with UNIDO to shift cement production toward lower-carbon methods using alternative energy and cleaner processes. Regional Climate Risk: Commentary on El Niño and flood impacts underscores how extreme weather is worsening vulnerability across Africa, including the Horn.

Pastoral Livestock Push: The First Africa Pastoral Markets Forum opened in Addis Ababa, urging investment and stronger market systems to turn pastoral livestock into a bigger engine for jobs, trade, and resilience across AU member states. Climate & Resilience Outlook: Reporting warns that a “super El Niño” could hit women hardest, framing it as a women’s health and livelihood crisis as rainfall patterns swing and climate stress deepens. Lower-Carbon Industry: Ethiopia is partnering with UNIDO to shift cement toward greener production, including trials on alternative energy and cleaner methods to cut industrial emissions while supporting infrastructure growth. Urban Water Recovery: Addis Ababa’s Kebena River is being regenerated into a cleaner riverside space, replacing polluted dumping areas with green corridors and public amenities. Energy Connectivity: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal, with Kenya Power buying power from Ethiopia at about ETB 24.07 per kWh to boost cross-border trade and reliable supply. Airport Upgrade: Debre Markos’ modernized Nigus Tekle Haimanot Airport is now operational, aiming to boost trade, tourism, and regional access. Green Mobility Angle: Xinhua highlights growing interest in Chinese EVs in Africa as fuel-price shocks and energy security concerns drive a shift toward electric transport.

Climate Risk for Women: CARE warns this year’s “super” El Niño will hit women hardest, framing it as a women’s health crisis as drought and severe rainfall intensify across the Horn. Urban Water & Health: Addis Ababa’s Kebena River is being rebuilt from a polluted dumping corridor into a riverside green space, with restored ecosystems and public access. Green Legacy Initiative: Ethiopia’s diplomats praise the Green Legacy Initiative for large-scale restoration and resilience, including a 2026 push to plant billions more seedlings. Energy Connectivity: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal at about 24.07 birr/kWh to expand reliable cross-border power and strengthen regional integration. Infrastructure & Growth: PM Abiy inaugurated the modernized Nigus Tekle Haimanot Airport in Debre Markos, aiming to boost trade, tourism, and market access. Food Safety & Pesticides: A policy push urges moving beyond toxic pesticide dependence to protect public health and support safer, more resilient food systems. Governance & Services: Ethiopia’s Demographic and Health Survey reports gaps in clean water, electricity, and hygiene as the country urbanizes.

Climate Risk for Ethiopia: CARE warns this year’s “super” El Niño will hit women hardest, framing it as a women’s health and household burden issue as severe rainfall is expected in parts of East Africa including Ethiopia. Urban Water & Health: Addis Ababa’s Kebena River is being transformed from a polluted dumping corridor into a riverside green space after the Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project was opened to the public. Green Restoration Spotlight: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative drew praise as an inclusive climate resilience model, with diplomats and scientists pointing to ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient livelihoods. Power & Grid Integration: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal to boost cross-border trade and reliable power along the shared border, while the African Energy Chamber urged faster development of interconnected electricity markets to handle rising demand and grid fragility. Infrastructure with Environmental Links: Debre Markos’ modernized Nigus Tekle Haimanot Airport was inaugurated, aiming to spur trade and tourism in northwestern Ethiopia. Water Access Gap: A new Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey highlights low access to clean drinking water and electricity, underscoring environmental service gaps as the country urbanizes.

Green Legacy Initiative: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is getting fresh international praise, with diplomats and a climate scientist highlighting its nationwide restoration push—now in its eighth year—aimed at degraded-land recovery, resilience, and community benefits, including a 2026 target of planting 8 billion additional seedlings. Regional Power Trade: Ethiopia and Kenya signed an expanded electricity supply deal through EEU and Kenya Power, setting a tariff of 24.07 birr/kWh and boosting cross-border reliability and East Africa’s energy integration. Climate-Resilience Governance: Delegates at Ethiopia’s International Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum joined the Green Legacy campaign by planting seedlings at the House of People’s Representatives, linking climate action with broader public policy and security discussions. Water, Health, and Services Snapshot: A new Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey reports uneven access to clean water, electricity, and hygiene, underscoring the environment-health-development link as the country urbanizes. Wildlife & Land: A nature feature spotlights Ethiopia’s rare wildlife, including the Ethiopian wolf, reinforcing conservation value for biodiversity and tourism. Migration Pressure (Context): In the U.S., TPS work permits for Ethiopians and other groups were extended briefly, affecting livelihoods for migrants tied to the Horn of Africa.

Cross-Border Power Trade: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal between EEU and KPLC, setting a tariff of 24.07 birr per kWh to boost reliable border power and deepen East Africa’s energy connectivity. Climate Restoration Spotlight: Diplomats praised Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative as an inclusive climate resilience model, citing large-scale tree planting and ecosystem restoration, with a 2026 target of 8 billion seedlings. Early Action for Disasters: IGAD’s ICPAC and Action Against Hunger launched a 24-month anticipatory action project to protect nearly 250,000 people across Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti by linking climate forecasts to timely humanitarian response. Energy Grid Integration Push: The African Energy Chamber urged an interconnected African electricity market, warning that grid fragility and rising demand threaten investment and industrial growth. Governance & Rights: The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission unveiled a new strategic plan through 2030, reporting thousands of petitions resolved and renewed focus on accountability. Public Health & Services Gaps: Ethiopia’s Demographic and Health Survey highlights uneven access to clean water, electricity and hygiene as the country urbanizes. FDI Boost: Ethiopia reported 4.32 billion USD in FDI for 2025/26, driven by new licenses and export-linked special economic zones.

Climate Risk & Early Action: IGAD’s ICPAC and Action Against Hunger launched a $4.5m, 24-month anticipatory action project to protect nearly 250,000 people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti by linking climate forecasts to faster, coordinated humanitarian response. Energy Integration: Ethiopia and Kenya formalized a power supply deal where Kenya Power will buy Ethiopian electricity at 15.5 cents per kWh plus a monthly demand charge, pushing a more connected East African grid. Carbon Finance Capacity: The AU and ACBF trained 80+ diplomats in Addis Ababa to negotiate better outcomes in the expanding global carbon market under the Paris Agreement. Wildlife Conservation: Ethiopia’s Grevy’s zebra foal news highlights the species’ endangered status and the need for renewed protection. Agriculture & Food Security: Ethiopia’s push for stronger phytosanitary systems and digital ag support comes as El Niño risks rise, threatening yields and supply stability. Regional Diplomacy: Ethiopia hosted a Parliamentary Intelligence-Security forum, underscoring cross-border threats like cybercrime and trafficking alongside peace and stability goals.