Parliament is currently reviewing a draft proclamation that seeks to introduce sweeping changes to the Electoral, Political Parties registration, and Elections Code of Conduct Proclamation, including alterations to the scope of the law, the terms of party registration, the redefinition of constituencies, electorates, and election procedures, and new mechanisms for post-election appeals and compliance.

Opposition political parties who participated in a parliamentary forum to discuss the amendments this week criticized the draft for failing to reflect the current political realities of the country.

One major concern raised was the requirement for a national party to secure 60 percent of support signatures from six regions in addition to its main region of operation.

Parties argued that such a requirement is unrealistic in the current environment, where free movement across regions is often restricted due to conflicts in many parts of the country.

Another issue raised was the requirement for parties to have at least 30 percent of their total membership actively contributing in order to qualify for government budget support.

Political parties also criticized the draft for granting polling station administrators decision-making powers following complaints, and for requiring candidates to present a national ID during registration.

The parties also cited reported cases of the administration violating existing laws and subjecting opposition leaders to arrest and harassment, demanding that the revised election law explicitly include provisions to protect party leaders from such actions.

The current electoral law stipulates that a candidate must receive 50 percent plus one of the votes (first-pass-the-post) to win. Parties have requested a revision of this clause to address scenarios where the majority of voters cast ballots but no candidate meets the 50 percent plus one threshold.

Chairperson of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Melatwork Hailu, responded to the concerns raised by political parties.

She stated that the Board had previously consulted political parties regarding the draft and was instructed to prioritize the most urgent issues in preparation for the seventh national election scheduled for May 2026.

In response to concerns expressed over the collection of signatures, where parties are required to gather 10,000 for national status (parties to vie nationwide) and 4,000 for regional status (parties to vie for seats with their respective regional state councils), she said: “The signatures are for different purposes. Support gathered to establish a party cannot be reused for nominating candidates. These are separate requirements.”

The Chairwoman also said it is not unreasonable to expect parties to demonstrate that 30 percent of their members have voluntarily contributed. Melatwork noted that reported figures on party membership, particularly female and disabled members, are often exaggerated and difficult to verify.

She dismissed concerns about the power granted to polling station administrators.

“The administrative authority of polling station heads is clearly defined. These powers existed before but were not implemented during the sixth national election. We are now enforcing what was already in the law. If there are complaints about decisions, the appeal procedures are clearly outlined,” said Melatwork.

She clarified that the draft proclamation does not mandate electronic voting. However, the Chairwoman argues that requiring candidates to have a national ID upon registration will help resolve past issues of candidates being excluded from the process and ensure smoother registration.

In response to criticism about the need for party support across seven regions, she argued, “How can a party be called a national party without support in at least seven regions? The previous law was repealed due to the creation of additional regions through referendums.”

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide announced during the launch on Friday, July 11 that the government is offering treasury bills to investors to help bridge a budget deficit of 188 billion birr, out of the total 1.9 trillion birr budget allocated for the 2018 fiscal year.

He stated that 173 billion birr of this deficit will be offset by raising capital through treasury bills.

According to the Minister, the domestic borrowing will be conducted in a way that avoids increasing inflation and maintains macroeconomic stability. He also noted that existing treasury bills are being transitioned to electronic transactions, and new issuances will follow via a digital format.

Tilahun Ismail (PhD), CEO of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange, announced that government treasury bills with a 182-day maturity, as well as shares of Wegagen and Geda banks, have started trading. He explained that Ethiopian individuals and institutions can now buy and sell bills and shares through investment banks.

He added that government debt securities can be purchased from a minimum amount of 4,700 birr upward, while bank shares are available from a floor price of 1,000 birr.

Technological infrastructure has been developed to support these transactions. Tilahun also mentioned that all banks—except for commercial bank of Ethiopia and development bank—and one state-owned insurance company are preparing to list their shares.

The Ethiopian Securities Exchange aims to list 50 companies within the next three years and 90 companies over the next decade. Government development enterprises may also be introduced to the market in the future.

Mamo Mehiretu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, emphasized that the organization of the capital market will play a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy, reducing inflation, and supporting overall macroeconomic stability.

He underscored the importance of supporting the growth and strengthening of the securities market, highlighting the necessity of treasury bill sales to address the budget deficit.

The UN agency says it has secured just USD196 million out of its total budgetary requirement of USD 346 million.

The latest call for more funding reflects the organization’s long-standing struggle with falling donations. In January, a source at the WFP told The Reporter the agency was preparing to lay off up to a third of its staff amid funding shortfalls.

In May, the WFP suspended life-saving nutrition treatment programs for 650,000 malnourished women and children citing a lack of funding. 

“WFP has taken necessary steps to align our workforce with the current size and scope of our operations. These decisions are made with the utmost consideration for maintaining the quality of our humanitarian assistance to those in need,” said a WFP representative. 

The organization is supporting 3.5 million people through its programmes in Ethiopia.

This week, the Republic of Korea has provided a donation of 12,000 metric tons (MT) of rice to support WFP’s operations in Ethiopia. 

The donation comes at a critical time and will help meet the urgent food needs of thousands displaced by conflict, drought, and floods. The supplies are earmarked for 400,000 vulnerable people in the Somali region and 330,000 refugees currently hosted in camps in the Somali and Afar regions.

Ethiopia hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, sheltering over one million refugees—primarily from neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. 

WFP, in collaboration with the Refugees and Returnees Service and other international organizations, provides critical food and nutrition support to refugees in over 24 camps across Ethiopia.

The donation from the Republic of Korea comes at a crucial moment in WFP’s operations, as significant funding shortfalls have forced WFP to reduce rations to 60 percent to ensure all refugees receive assistance. Around 800,000 refugees have been receiving 60 percent of the standard food ration for over a year.

According to WFP, an estimated one million internally displaced people in the Somali region rely on external assistance for their food needs—many of whom were displaced during previous droughts and conflicts.

Despite ongoing efforts, refugees and vulnerable communities in Ethiopia continue to face major challenges due to declining humanitarian funding. The situation underscores the urgent need for sustained international support and innovative solutions to improve the lives of refugees and host communities in Ethiopia.

In an annual report of the fiscal year (ending July 7), the Minister stated that a total of 13.7 billion birr was generated by various transport and logistics organizations, with the Ethio-Djibouti Railway contributing half of that amount.

Civil aviation services brought in 3.5 billion Birr, followed by public transportation services (2.5 billion Birr), third-party insurance services (450 million Birr), according to Alemu.

Despite improvement, rail transport only accounts for 14 percent of cargo, with trucks moving 84 percent of cargo while air transport covers less than two percent.

The Minister noted that inbound goods dominated cargo transportation, accounting for close to 91 percent of all activity, almost all of which went through Djibouti’s ports.

The report noted improvements in port efficiency. The average port stay for high, medium, and low-volume vessels was recorded at 12.31 days. For containerized goods, the average stay was 6.93 days for multimodal transport and 27.07 days for unimodal transport—both showing reductions compared to the previous period.

The report noted progress on new airport towers and related infrastructure in Assosa, Bahir Dar, and Nekemte, while design studies for ffive regional airports—Yabelo, Negele Borena, Gore-Metu, Debre Markos, and Mizan-Aman—have been completed.

The report indicated that an expansion project at Modjo Dry Port is dragging due to a severe shortage of cement.

The Minister also cited imported construction material shortages, budget constraints, and other logistical issues as contributing factors. He assured lawmakers that the remaining work is expected to be completed within the next four months.

The venture agreement, which includes the construction of the controversial ‘New Palace’ on a hilltop flanking the capital’s northeast, is part of a broader 72 billion birr housing initiative under a public-private partnership (PPP), was officially signed on July 3, 2025, between the Ministry of Finance and various real estate companies.

A statement released following the signing details that 4,175 housing units will be constructed as part of the Chaka Housing Development Project.

The project will be implemented through a 70/30 financing arrangement and will involve several developers, including ICE Housing Development Consortium PLC, Ovid Real Estate, the state-owned Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation (ECWC), and other private companies.

The housing units will be built on 24 hectares of land, with a total cost of 67 billion Birr.

Ovid Real Estate will construct 1,823 housing units and a shopping mall under the Tiyit Bet Housing Development Program at an estimated cost of 4.3 Billion birr.

In total, Ovid Chaka Housing Development PLC and Ovid Kings Tower PLC—both subsidiaries of Ovid Real Estate—have signed two agreements to build 3,675 housing units at a combined cost of 27.37 billion Birr.

ICE Housing Development Construction PLC has also signed a separate 32.37 billion Birr agreement to build a six-story shopping mall that includes 1,200 housing units.

Meanwhile, Boston Partners PLC has signed an 813.5 million Birr agreement to construct 50 luxury lodges and related infrastructure at the Awash Waterfall Resort Tourism Destination Development Project.

MIDROC Investment Group will invest 125 million Birr in tourism infrastructure at the Denbi Lake Lodge Destination Development Project, according to the statement.

The project also includes an integrated diagnostic service center that carries an estimated cost of USD five million, according to the statement. The health services contract was awarded through a competitive tender process, with the winning bidder selected based on the lowest offer.

Abebe Gebrehiwot, head of the Public-Private Partnership Department at the Ministry of Finance, elaborated on the criteria used to select the housing development companies.

“The government invited 11 companies to express interest, and six were selected based on technical, financial, and legal evaluations,” he said. “We selected developers based on their past experience with similar projects, financial capacity, and compliance with required standards.”

According to Abebe, 14 housing development projects have been planned under the Chaka housing project initiative, with three already awarded and the remaining 11 to be allocated in the future.

Among the awarded developers is the Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation, a state-owned enterprise that has faced criticism for delays in past projects.

In response to questions about ECWC’s selection, Abebe said: “The institution previously completed eight residential buildings at a cost of over 800 million Birr. It was selected for this project due to its experience and because it is partnering with other private housing developers.”

A dedicated project management team—comprising the palace administration, PPP officials, private institutions, and other stakeholders—will be established to oversee and monitor the timely completion of these housing developments.

Developers are expected to finance a fifth of the project costs from their own resources and secure the remaining 80 percent through bank loans and other means. The government has pledged to provide construction sites at no lease cost, as well as electricity, water, and other forms of support.

Abebe added that strong monitoring mechanisms will be implemented to ensure that companies do not mix these new projects with ongoing or past developments. A separate institution will be established to independently manage these new housing initiatives.

Qore Technologies was recently hired to digitalize the paper-based system formerly used by the staff of Akufada Microfinance Institution, which is based in Debre Birhan.

The contract marked Qore’s first foray into what Vice President for International Expansion Martin Muchine describes as a lucrative market.

Muchine notes that Ethiopia’s financial technology industry is still in its infancy and expressed hope the recent approval of updated regulations for foreign financial firms will help businesses like Qore gain a stronger foothold in the market.

Earlier this week, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a directive that officially opens Ethiopia’s banking industry to foreign investment.

“Ethiopia is a great market,” Muchine said. “Look at your numbers—this is essentially now a level-two economy with 130 million people. These are people who need foundational technologies—what we call ‘plumbing’ at the core. We believe we can solve some of these foundational challenges. It’s a market that presents reasonable challenges, but also significant rewards when those challenges are addressed. We aim to bring the same solutions we’ve provided in other African markets to Ethiopia.”

Muchine added that more than 10 Ethiopian banking and financial institutions have expressed interest in working with the company, which specializes in technologies that enable fast, efficient, and customer-centric services.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Qore has previously delivered banking technology projects in Kenya, Ghana, Gambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Senegal.

The services offered include the modernization of digital banking systems, rapid card issuance, merchant services, agent banking, and the establishment of comprehensive digital banking operations, including third-party system integrations.

Abraham Wadajo, CEO of Akufada Microfinance Institution, praised the company’s work. The system installed by Qore allows Akufada’s network of more than 40 branches to deliver integrated services, improving accessibility for its customers.

Akufada, one of 52 microfinance institutions licensed by the NBE, was established in 2022.

Business interests clash with environmental and health concerns as a lobby group representing Ethiopian plastics manufacturers demands a five-year grace period before the implementation of a new federal law banning the production and use of plastic bags.

The Ethiopian Plastic and Rubber Manufacturers Association says it wants to see its members given time to adjust to the Solid Waste Management and Disposal Proclamation approved by lawmakers earlier this month. The Proclamation prohibits the production of single-use plastics, with manufacturers obligated to halt operations within the coming six months.

Officials cite environmental and health concerns as a basis for the law, which they hope to see usher in a new, plastic-free normal.

However, Bereket Gebrehiwet, a representative of the lobby group, says the law could force many factories to shut down entirely.

He argues that Ethiopian manufacturers already rely heavily on recycling to produce single-use plastics.

“We are buying back the plastic we originally produced from collectors,” he said. “We pay up to 150 birr per kilogram for plastic waste, and this practice has saved the country approximately USD 350 million that would have otherwise been spent on raw material imports.”

He stressed that manufacturers are not opposed to the Proclamation itself, but they were not properly consulted during its drafting process.

“The six-month transition period is not sufficient. Unlike Kenya, which granted a three-year preparation period, Ethiopia’s regulation forces factories to shut down immediately—leaving expensive imported machines unused. The contribution of this sector to the economy has been overlooked,” he added.

Bereket noted that adapting to renewable energy requires major investment and planning.

“We need at least five years to make a full transition. It is unrealistic to expect manufacturers to shift to renewable energy overnight,” he said.

Bereket pointed to the scarcity and unaffordability of biodegradable alternatives for single-use plastics.

Ali Sultan, manager of Al-Qesib Plastic Factory in Sheger City’s Tatek Industrial Zone, echoed similar concerns.

“We are being forced to close a factory we have operated for years. We employ more than 110 permanent workers. This sudden ban on single-use plastics is pushing us toward bankruptcy and threatens the livelihoods of our skilled workers,” he said.

According to Ali, some manufacturers were in the process of importing machinery for single-use plastic production when the law was passed.

“Current machines cannot be easily repurposed—they would have to be sold off as scrap metal, which would be a massive loss. It will take five to eight years to fully convert to renewable alternatives,” he said.

Meanwhile, companies producing biodegradable alternatives are seeing a surge in demand.

Biruk Somano, CEO of BI Packaging, which produces biodegradable paper bags at a plant in the Ferensay Legasion neighborhood of Addis Ababa, is among those enjoying the uptick.

“We employ 11 workers and produce 150–300 paper bags per worker daily,” he said, adding that orders have increased dramatically over the last couple of weeks.

BI Packaging is looking to import more machinery to meet the rising demand but lacks financial support, according to Biruk.

“We need loans. There’s a severe shortage of raw materials, and quality paper is hard to find. Public awareness about paper bags is still limited. We currently sell each paper bag for 23 birr and urgently need support to expand our production facility,” he said.

At the Ethiopia Tamrit Expo organized last month, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel stated that the government would facilitate adjustments to help factories operate without disruption and claimed that eco-friendly alternatives would be offered to manufacturers.

“Protecting the environment is a constitutional right of citizens, and we must balance investor interests with environmental protection,” he said.

However, Bereket claimed that manufacturers have not been adequately informed about the alternative materials the Ministry of Industry plans to introduce.

“It’s unclear whether these so-called enriched materials meet local factory needs or are compatible with existing machines,” he said.

A study conducted by the non-governmental organization Plastic Pack Ethiopia (PPE) revealed that plastic use in Ethiopia is increasing at an alarming rate of 11 percent annually.

In 2007, the average Ethiopian used less than one kilogram of plastic per year. By 2022, that number had risen to three kilograms, with residents of Addis Ababa consuming up to seven kilograms annually.

Ethiopia has also become one of the largest investors in plastic technology in East and Central Africa. In 2021, the country imported 25 million Euros  worth of plastic manufacturing technology, ranking among the top two importers in the region.

A new institution, tentatively called the Nile River Basin Commission, is set to be formed in September, according to the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). A special committee has been established to mediate with countries that have not signed or ratified the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA).

The primary countries yet to ratify the agreement—Egypt, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya—continue to face pressure to do so.

Michael Kiza, a water programs advisor at the NBI, told The Reporter that after the CFA was approved by the legislatures of most member states, the African Union (AU) decided to make the agreement binding and establish a formal institution to implement it. However, four member states, including Egypt, opposed the move.

“NBI supports some of the meetings, but the process is country-led,” Kiza said. “So there are two critical processes: one is engaging the countries that haven’t ratified the agreement, and the other involves setting up the new commission. These processes are led by the member states, not by the NBI. For example, Egypt is actively working to prevent the reorganization.”

Kiza noted that the four countries remaining neutral so far or actively opposing the AU decision are still being encouraged to ratify the agreement. While the establishment of a new institution could proceed based on the AU’s ratification, a special committee has been formed to negotiate with the dissenting countries to bring them on board.

“Countries like Egypt are working to counter the creation of this institution, which will implement the agreement based on AU ratification,” he explained. “Since differences still persist, additional negotiations have been planned.”

The special committee charged with the task is composed of water ministers from Nile Basin countries.

Kiza acknowledged that member states may take different positions on some issues to protect their national interests, but he expressed confidence that such differences would be resolved over time.

The Ugandan Ministry of Water, which currently hosts the Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat in Entebbe, is also coordinating the special committee.

The committee’s responsibilities include persuading the four countries to ratify the agreement, promoting equitable water sharing among member states, and fostering cooperation on climate change, environmental protection, and other shared priorities.

“The special committee has already held meetings with Egypt and Sudan in May. More meetings are planned for early July with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya. Of course, there are differences among countries, but that’s not unusual—these are sovereign issues. Still, there is a process in place to address them. The countries have made significant efforts toward joint water management. After all, the Nile and its resources are transboundary,” said Kiza.

If the remaining countries refuse to sign and ratify the agreement, a new institution will be formed regardless, based on the African Union’s ratification.

Beyond its main mission, the special committee is also tasked with recommending the headquarters for the new institution, determining its name, and addressing the future of the current Nile Basin States Framework, which was established 26 years ago.

The committee has until September 2025 to finalize its two main plans.

When asked about the new organization and its headquarters, Kiza said, “The headquarters for Nile cooperation will remain in Entebbe, Uganda. The exact path forward still needs to be worked out, but the intention is for the ‘Nile River Basin Commission,’ once established, to lead all cooperative efforts among the member countries.”

To date, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan have signed and ratified the CFA. Egypt and Sudan have neither signed nor ratified it. Kenya has signed but is yet to ratify the agreement, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Eritrea are currently participating as observers.

The Nile River Basin Commission when operationalized is an intergovernmental body that will legally take over the Nile Basin Initiative, which will then be neutralized with all its assets and structures transferred. The NRBC will have the mandate to promulgate all laws concerning the management and utilization of the Nile, direct river-wide cooperation in the spirit of equitable cooperation, and solicit international financing for implementation of specific projects within the basin, according to experts in the field.

Dawit Yifru, a towering figure in Ethiopian music, has composed and arranged hundreds of songs over a career spanning decades. Revered for his skilful orchestration and poetic lyricism, he has helped shape the modern Ethiopian sound. As a founding member of seminal bands like Roha and Dahlak, Dawit has also nurtured generations of Ethiopian musicians, many of whom have gone on to become household names.

Yet despite his impressive legacy—over 200 album credits and a lifetime devoted to music—Dawit speaks with quiet frustration about a reality that remains unchanged: Ethiopian music, he says, continues to exist largely in isolation from the global stage.

According to him, this is not about a lack of talent. It is about lack of access. “There are so few avenues for our music to be heard beyond Ethiopia,” he said.

Now serving as president of the Ethiopian Musicians Association, Dawit has a vantage point on both the historical and current challenges facing the industry. He says Ethiopia’s music has traditionally reached foreign ears through two narrow channels: state-sponsored cultural diplomacy programs, which selectively send musicians abroad, and diaspora-organized concerts during major holidays such as New Year, Christmas, and Easter.

These efforts, while they are appreciated, but remain too limited in scope. “Musicians are not getting the financial support, stage access, or international opportunities they need to thrive. Only a handful of them manage to perform overseas, and that’s often through their own hustle.”

While Ethiopians enthusiastically consume foreign music—particularly Pop, Reggae, and Afrobeats from across the continent—Ethiopian artists rarely enjoy reciprocal exposure in Africa. Their reach is slightly better in Europe and North America, thanks to large diaspora communities, but even there, performances are sporadic and largely community-driven. Cross-border artistic exchange remains elusive.

Dawit believes cultural exchange could unlock new creative possibilities. “Our music could harmonize beautifully with other African genres,” he said. “But the space for those connections hasn’t been created. And unfortunately, opportunities for Ethiopian musicians are shrinking—both at home and abroad.”

There is, however, a glimmer of hope.

The European Union has announced a new initiative to promote African-European cultural exchange, allocating EUR 30 million to support artists across the two continents. The program—funded by the EU’s NDICI–Global Europe instrument—is being implemented in collaboration with Germany’s Goethe-Institut, Expertise France, and the Institut français.

“The programme is designed to promote both intra-African and Africa-Europe artistic exchange,” said Philina Wittke, the Goethe-Institute’s Coordinator for Sub-Saharan Africa. “That means artists from Ethiopia can apply for grants.”

Calls for applications will be announced through the partner organizations’ websites and social media channels, Wittke said, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to reaching a wide pool of talent.

A Cultural Bridge Built on Equal Terms

Known as the Sub-Saharan Component, the European Union’s ambitious cultural initiative marks a significant departure from past models of international cooperation. It is part of the larger Africa-Europe Partnership for Culture, with a dedicated eight million Euros budget for Sub-Saharan Africa over a 42-month period.

At the heart of the initiative lies a radical reimagining of how intercultural exchange is structured. Rather than treating African artists as guests in a European-led project, the programme puts African voices and leadership at the center. Its mission is clear: to establish equitable, co-created, and sustainable partnerships—rooted in African perspectives, led by African stakeholders.

 “We are establishing partnerships where African cultural stakeholders lead their own internationalization strategies, while European partners contribute as equals in a genuine dialogue of mutual learning and respect,” Wittke said.

Spanning multiple countries in both Africa and Europe, the initiative supports a wide range of artists and cultural professionals, while seeking to expand the reach and visibility of African creative work. One of its key aims is to improve artist mobility, fostering both regional and intercontinental exchanges that lead to sustainable professional networks. It also focuses on developing cultural spaces—institutions and platforms that serve as hubs for artistic creation, public engagement, and critical dialogue.

In addition, the programme supports performing arts collaboration by funding joint projects between African and European creatives, facilitating professional meetings, and organizing international tours for African productions. In the realm of visual arts, it encourages co-creation and global visibility through curated exhibitions, critical discourse, and media documentation that spotlight African talent.

What distinguishes this initiative is its methodology. There are no linguistic hierarchies; programming is delivered in English, French, Portuguese, and local African languages, creating an inclusive environment that reflects the continent’s diversity. Equally central is a strong gender focus—at least half of all participants across activities are expected to be women, ensuring broader representation and equity.

Under the banner Connect and Create, the initiative also addresses the often-overlooked economic dimension of the arts. It seeks to boost market access for African creatives, grow cultural commerce across the continent, and strengthen the infrastructure of the creative economy. Capacity-building workshops in cultural management and digital marketing are also planned, aimed at professionalizing the sector and enabling artists to navigate global markets.

Crucially, the programme is designed not just for visibility, but for sustainability. It encourages co-production models that safeguard cultural authenticity while aligning with international standards—ensuring African artists are not merely seen, but understood and valued on their own terms.

The Sub-Saharan Component is one of three regional arms under the EU’s cultural framework, with parallel programmes in West and Southern Africa. Together, they form a continent-wide strategy that respects regional diversity while enabling shared goals.

For artists like Dawit and many others, this initiative represents more than an opportunity—it signals a long-overdue shift.  But the question remains: will this be enough to change the rhythm?

The African Evaluation Association (AfrEA), which counts 2,000 individuals and several institutions among its members, is celebrating its silver in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from June 16–18, 2025.

“In the beginning, evaluation was just a concept on the African continent—we heard about it, but there was no leading organization at the continental level to promote it,” said AfrEA President Miche Ouedraogo during a joint press conference with the  Ethiopian Ministry of Planning and Development.

He pointed out that AfrEA is the leading voice advocating for ‘Made in Africa’ evaluation.

“There are many approaches and methods for conducting evaluations, but most evaluations carried out in Africa are commissioned by donors,” said the President. “AfrEA became the first and most important organization in Africa dedicated to advancing evaluation. Studies show that 75 percent of evaluations conducted in Africa are commissioned by donors and carried out by foreign companies. As a result, evaluations often follow Western approaches. However, we believe Africa has its own knowledge systems that must be recognized and included when evaluations are conducted on the ground.”

The organization emphasized that its 25-year journey has been marked by significant milestones in capacity building, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based policymaking. The upcoming celebration is being organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Evaluation Association (EEvA), the Ministry of Planning, and other key stakeholders.

The event is expected to attract more than 300 participants, including government leaders, evaluators, policymakers, and development professionals. It will focus on the transformation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) across the continent. The anniversary will be held under the theme: ‘25 Years of Excellence in Africa – Performance-Based Evaluation: Building a Stronger Future Together.’

Founded in 1999, AfrEA has grown into a leading evaluation network, supporting 40 African countries and representing over 3,000 members. The Association is committed to ensuring that evaluation practices are contextualized and tailored to Africa’s unique realities.

Over the years, AfrEA has fostered collaboration among evaluators, policymakers, and development practitioners, becoming a central figure in Africa’s evaluation movement. Its biennial conferences promote African-based methodologies and amplify African voices in shaping global evaluation standards.

In a recent announcement published in the African Evaluation Journal, AfrEA highlighted that its initiatives, training programs, and advocacy efforts have empowered evaluators to make meaningful impacts in their countries. The association has played a pivotal role in training young evaluators to conduct high-quality, effective evaluations that address the continent’s needs.

AfrEA’s influence also extends beyond Africa. Through partnerships with international organizations, it has contributed significantly to strengthening global evaluation practices while reinforcing Africa’s role as a hub for evidence-based policymaking.

The 25th anniversary celebration in Addis Ababa is set to be a milestone event, bringing together evaluation professionals, development experts, policymakers, and government officials to reflect on AfrEA’s achievements and chart a forward-looking path for the future of evaluation in Africa.