AGP Executive Report

AU Somalia Crisis: The African Union has convened an emergency meeting in Addis Ababa after the U.S. said it will block UN funding for the logistics office (UNSOS) that supports the AU mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), warning the move could hit operations against al-Shabaab when the mandate ends on Dec. 31, 2026. Digital Policy: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) unveiled the Africa 2035 Digital Implementation Roadmap in Addis Ababa, aiming to turn WSIS+20 outcomes into a coordinated continent-wide plan for data governance, AI frameworks, and digital public infrastructure. Ethiopia Weather Watch: Ethiopia’s meteorological institute urged preparedness for the main rainy season, forecasting light to heavy rainfall across much of the country and warning of flooding and landslide risks. Tourism & Heritage: Diplomats visited Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches as Ethiopia’s cultural tourism gains more international recognition. Local Environment: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is credited with restoring habitats and helping wildlife return, alongside improvements around Lake Abijatta. Energy Reform Support: Development partners reaffirmed backing for Ethiopia’s energy sector reforms, linking reliable electricity to jobs and women’s economic opportunities.

Rainfall Preparedness: Ethiopia’s Meteorological Institute urged precaution as the main rainy season approaches, warning of light-to-heavy rains that may intensify over the next 10 days and raise risks of flooding, landslides and river overflows. Wildlife & Climate Restoration: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is credited with restoring degraded ecosystems, helping displaced wildlife return and improving biodiversity and water resources, including signs of recovery around Lake Abijatta. Energy Reform & Women’s Empowerment: Development partners, including the World Bank, backed Ethiopia’s energy reforms as a route to jobs and expanded electricity access for rural communities, with attention to women’s participation. Diplomacy & Tourism: Envoys from Oman and Romania praised Ethiopia’s investment and trade potential, while diplomats from 40+ countries visited Lalibela, highlighting Ethiopia’s growing cultural tourism pull. Dialogue for Peace: Emeritus Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam said Ethiopia’s national dialogue is a structured, peaceful path to address long-standing grievances. Debt Relief Progress: Ethiopia’s $1bn Eurobond restructuring deal won IMF backing, moving the country closer to returning to capital markets. Roads & Urban Growth: PM Abiy inspected the Chano–Chencha Road Project, linking infrastructure upgrades to livable cities and tourism. Coffee Milestone: Ethiopia hit a record $3bn coffee export earnings target this fiscal year. Sports: Ethiopia’s women U-17 team arrived in Zambia ahead of a qualifier against Zambia.

Ethiopian Airlines Expansion: Ethiopian Airlines launched new passenger service to Lyon, France, adding another Europe link via Addis Ababa and saying it plans five more international destinations by end-2026. Digital Ethiopia: Ethiopia’s Fayda digital ID program has registered over 46 million people in three years, with nearly 165 institutions already integrated for faster, verified access to services. Economic Independence Drive: PM Abiy said import substitution and domestic manufacturing have saved about $5 billion in foreign currency this fiscal year, highlighting local coal production and wider industrial output. Wildlife & Tourism Tech: Tourism State Minister Seleshi Girma said digitally monitored protected areas can support conservation and tourism, with a pilot platform at Bale Mountains and Senkele set to expand nationwide. Jobs for Refugees: A job fair in Addis Ababa matched refugees and Ethiopian graduates with employers, with officials stressing Ethiopia’s legal framework for refugee work and inclusion. EU-Ethiopia Ties: The EU said cooperation is entering a new phase, citing business forums and eased visa rules to boost trade and people-to-people links. Sports (Ethiopia in focus): Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha is set to headline the Valencia Marathon elite field alongside Yomif’s rivals, as the race targets fast times.

EU-Ethiopia Cooperation: EU Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger says relations are entering a new phase, citing stronger trade, development and people-to-people links, plus the lifting of a visa rule that required Ethiopians to apply 45 days in advance. Economic Independence: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlights local production as the “cornerstone” of sovereignty during a visit to the Yo Holding Coal Factory, pointing to reduced imports and jobs. National Dialogue Prep: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission held an experts’ panel to guide participants on eight agenda items, aiming for a shared, knowledge-based approach. Rural Development: Abiy inaugurated the Hamasa Model Village under the Rural Corridor Development Program, featuring sanitation, livestock shelters, gardens, biogas and beekeeping. Macroeconomy Watch: The IMF urges Ethiopia’s National Bank to stay ready to tighten policy again if inflation pressures return, after unlocking a new disbursement. Public Health: In Hossana, residents say community groups forced people to kill hundreds of dogs after rabies deaths, while the mayor calls the directive illegal. Regional Security: UN warns Sudan’s El-Obeid could face worsening atrocities risk as the city is under siege. Sports: Ethiopia’s Women U-17 team arrived in Ndola for a qualifier against Zambia.

Ethiopia’s Tourism Boom: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says Ethiopia welcomed over 1.4 million foreign visitors in the 2025/26 fiscal year (ending July 7), bringing $5.2bn in foreign exchange and hosting 204 international meetings and conferences. Ethiopian Airlines Expansion: Ethiopian Airlines launched passenger flights to Lyon, France, its 23rd European destination, and says it plans five more international destinations by end-2026. Debt Restructuring Watch: Ethiopia’s $1bn Eurobond restructuring is nearing a breakthrough after Addis Ababa reached a preliminary deal with private creditors, a test for the G20 Common Framework. Carbon Markets for Agriculture: Ethiopia is exploring carbon markets to support sustainable farming, climate resilience, and new income opportunities, following a national agriculture science seminar in Addis Ababa. Finance Sector Move: Awash Bank says it has applied to the National Bank of Ethiopia to expand into neighboring countries, while pushing digital and branch growth at home. Regional Security: The Sudanese army says it retook two areas in Blue Nile after clashes with the RSF–SPLM-N alliance. U.S. TPS Update Affecting Ethiopians: USCIS and E-Verify set July 10, 2026 as the work-authorization expiration date for TPS holders from Ethiopia and six other countries, with guidance stressing it may not end employment immediately.

Tourism Push: Prime Minister Abiy says tourism is being repositioned as Ethiopia’s “new economic motor,” citing the country’s unique wildlife, plant diversity and cultural assets as the basis for faster sector growth. Refugee Inclusion: Refugees in Ethiopia praised hospitality and the UNHCR-backed “Makatet” initiative, which aims to integrate refugees into education, healthcare, digital and economic systems while also benefiting host communities. Public Services Upgrade: The MESOB One Stop Service Center is cutting red tape and waiting times by bundling services under one technology-driven platform, with citizens reporting faster access to documents like national ID cards. Tax, Statistics & Carbon Market: Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives approved bills on federal tax administration reform, a modern national statistics system, and a carbon market framework to attract green investment. Energy & Investment: Ethiopia’s electrification drive targets universal access by 2035, while Libya’s OLA Energy signed to acquire TotalEnergies’ Ethiopia fuel retail assets. Cyber Security: IGAD’s Regional Cyber Drill in Addis Ababa ended with calls for stronger cross-border cooperation and plans for a regional information-sharing center.

Tourism Push: Prime Minister Abiy says Ethiopia has designated tourism a core economic pillar, aiming to secure a bigger slice of global arrivals while protecting national interests, with heritage restoration and private-sector-led upgrades to destinations, hospitality, transport and digital access. Heritage Restoration: Abiy also highlighted ongoing work to preserve and restore sites like Fasilides Castle and Lalibela, with stolen artifacts being recovered and the Haile Selassie throne expected to return. Cyber Security: INSA Deputy Director-General Daniel Guta urged regional cooperation after IGAD’s 2026 cyber drill, warning that attacks now cross borders and require shared drills and resilience planning. Electricity Roadmap: Ethiopia reviewed NEP 3.0 to reach universal electrification by 2035, noting about 35% of households still lack power. Ebola Funding Gap: Africa CDC warned Bundibugyo Ebola therapeutic trials could collapse without urgent $18m financing. Energy Deal in Ethiopia: Libya’s OLA Energy signed an agreement to acquire TotalEnergies’ fuel distribution assets in Ethiopia, including about 120 stations and a 13,000-cubic-meter depot. Regional Security Watch: A rights coalition told the ICC it alleges Libyan and Emirati officials’ involvement in Sudan war crimes, including claims of supply routes passing through Ethiopia. Green Legacy: Diplomats in Addis Ababa praised the Green Legacy tree-planting drive as a climate resilience model needing sustained long-term follow-through.

Education: Ethiopia’s Grade 12 national exam opens with 563,501 students registered nationwide, using a hybrid online-and-paper model; Addis Ababa will run fully online with 58,309 candidates. Climate Policy: The House of People’s Representatives ratified Ethiopia’s Carbon Market Proclamation, setting rules for carbon trading to attract green investment and support Paris-aligned emissions cuts. Environment & Diplomacy: Diplomats and Ethiopian officials joined the Green Legacy tree-planting at Entoto Park, with Foreign Affairs State Minister Hadera Abera citing Ethiopia’s scale-up since 2019 and calling climate action a shared responsibility. Refugees: A Sudanese journalist praised Ethiopia’s “compassionate environment” for Sudanese refugees, highlighting measures like a nine-month waiver of residency fees and support for freedom of movement. BRICS: Russia’s Sergey Lavrov says BRICS has suspended future expansion amid internal political divergences. Regional Watch: Egypt says there are “no negotiations at the moment” on GERD, while Ethiopia and China reaffirm ruling-party ties.

Debt Restructuring: Ethiopia says it has reached a preliminary agreement with bondholders to restructure its defaulted $1bn 2024 Eurobond, including a new $880m bond, settlement of $99.4m in missed coupons, and a “New Money Warrant” option tied to future issuance—aimed at breaking the deadlock and easing legal threats. Energy & Electrification: Ethiopia is advancing NEP 3.0, a roadmap toward universal, reliable electricity access by 2035, with grid and off-grid expansion and more private-sector participation. Bilateral Diplomacy: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa to boost cooperation on security, economic development, and regional stability. Ethiopia-India Ties: India’s ambassador says cooperation is entering a new growth phase in healthcare, AI, governance, and agriculture, with major Indian healthcare providers preparing specialized hospitals and eye care facilities for operation before end-2026. Public Health: Africa CDC, WHO, and Uganda launched a continental Ebola incident management support team to coordinate faster, nationally driven responses across vulnerable countries. Civic Life in Addis Ababa: A capital cleanup drive mobilized over 750,000 volunteers across 119 districts to clear drainage and reduce flooding risks ahead of the rainy season.

Ethiopia–Somalia Diplomacy: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Addis Ababa, reaffirming cooperation on economic ties, security, and regional stability. EU Concern Over Tigray: The EU Delegation to Ethiopia warned that reports of TPLF hardliner actions—like a parallel regional council and unilateral conscription—could undermine the 2022 Pretoria cessation of hostilities and urged urgent talks. Debt Restructuring: Ethiopia reached an agreement in principle with bondholders to restructure its $1 billion international bond, including an arrangement tied to a future new bond subscription structure, with IMF sign-off and creditor committee non-objections. Budget Support From Italy: Ethiopia and Italy signed a €70 million concessional budget support loan for DPO3, targeting fiscal sustainability, private-sector growth, and reforms in energy, agriculture, and water. Health Security: Africa CDC, WHO, and Uganda launched a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team to strengthen Ebola emergency response across at-risk countries. Quality for Agro-Exports: Ethiopia launched a five-year national quality management capacity project with South Korea’s KOICA to boost standards, testing, certification, and competitiveness for agricultural and processed products. Electricity Push: A World Bank/ADB initiative, Mission 300, reported 50 million new electricity connections across Africa, while nearly 600 million still lack power. Business in Addis: Ashley Furniture’s Ethiopian partner Yusra Home opened a second showroom in Addis Ababa, expanding the brand’s footprint.

Urban Development in Addis Ababa: PM Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Entoto–Kebena River and Riverside Development Project, covering 87.6 hectares along a 10.5-kilometre river stretch with flood protection, bridges, and green public spaces aimed at making the city more climate-resilient and tourism-ready. Coffee Exports: Ethiopia earned about $3 billion from coffee exports in 2025/26, with a five-year coffee sector programme targeting higher yields (from 9 to 21 quintals/ha) to lift foreign exchange earnings to $6 billion. Air Cargo & Regional Connectivity: Ethiopian Cargo won “Best Air Cargo Carrier – Africa” at the 2026 AFLAS Awards, while Ethiopian Airlines also took delivery of its first DHC-6 Twin Otter to expand short regional routes. Health Security: Africa CDC and WHO launched a unified Ebola incident management support team in Uganda to strengthen coordinated, country-led responses across at-risk states. Border & Airport Security: NISS chief Redwan Hussein said Ethiopia is modernizing airport and border management with data-driven intelligence, real-time information sharing, and cyber sovereignty safeguards. Sports Spotlight: Ethiopian runners featured at the Paris Diamond League, with Freweyni Hailu noted in the women’s 1,500m and Bahraini athletes winning key events.

Ebola Response: Africa CDC, WHO and Uganda have launched a Joint Continental Incident Management Support Team in Kampala to back country-led action and boost cross-border coordination as Ebola continues in the region. Water Access: In southern Ethiopia, an Italian NGO (CVM) and local authorities have completed five gravity-fed clean water systems for villages in Basketo, Semen Ari and Geze Gofa, with communities urged to protect the infrastructure for the long term. Border & Airport Security: Ethiopia’s NISS chief says the Integrated Airport and Border Management Transformation Program will modernize threat detection, improve real-time coordination, and strengthen cyber sovereignty to counter terrorism, trafficking and illicit arms. Regional Diplomacy: The UAE called for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan and urged a path to a civilian-led political transition amid worsening civilian harm. Air Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines received its first DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G to expand short regional routes and reach remote airfields. Climate & Development: Ethiopia highlights progress under the Green Legacy Initiative, linking restoration with climate resilience and sustainable development. Policy Watch: Analysts say Ethiopia’s credit cap and tight monetary stance may be constraining productive sectors even as inflation dynamics remain mixed.

Track & Field: Ethiopia’s Nelly Jepkosgei (1,500m) and Birhanu Balew (5,000m) are set to race tonight at the Meeting de Paris in France, with Balew chasing Diamond League glory after a new Asian and Bahraini record earlier this month. Climate & Food Security: A new study challenges simple assumptions behind carbon pricing impacts, while research on shade-grown coffee finds real benefits for some farms but also highlights how warming and erratic rains are squeezing coffee growers. South Ethiopia Governance & Housing Costs: Wolaita Sodo’s rise as South Ethiopia’s capital is accelerating urban growth and pulling in bureaus and workers, but it also raises the bill for upgrading housing and services. Ethiopia’s Digital Push: INSA urged science and technology graduates to turn skills into innovation, as Addis Ababa universities marked new graduations tied to Ethiopia’s digital transformation. Economy & Policy: Ethiopia called for deeper BRICS space cooperation, including a BRICS Space Council and data sharing, and also opened its logistics sector to full foreign ownership to boost investment and supply chains. Coffee Revenue: Ethiopia generated about $3bn from coffee exports in the 2025/26 fiscal year and is planning a new five-year coffee development package. Humanitarian Watch: UNHCR warned East Africa faces a severe refugee funding gap as displacement continues amid conflict and climate shocks.

Ethiopia’s Digital Push: INSA chief Tigist Hamid urged science and technology graduates to turn skills into innovation to accelerate Ethiopia’s digital journey, as Addis Ababa Science and Technology University marked the graduation of 1,246 students. Education Reform & Autonomy: Addis Ababa University’s acting leadership said autonomy is enabling stronger research and graduate outcomes, while the Education Minister called on graduates to serve with patriotism and integrity. Logistics Liberalization: Ethiopia opened its logistics sector to full foreign ownership, removing the 49% cap, aiming to attract investment and cut trade and supply-chain costs. Housing Costs Watch: A new Addis Ababa rental study suggests keeping annual inflation under 10% could stabilize rent growth around 11.24%. National Dialogue Update: The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission unveiled eight core agenda pillars ahead of a July 15 conference, after consultations across 1,234 woredas. Health Tragedy: A 13-year-old Ethiopian cancer patient died on an Ethiopian Airlines flight en route to Hyderabad. Regional Trade Payments: Afreximbank reports growing use of PAPSS for local-currency cross-border settlements to reduce reliance on the dollar and euro. World Public Summit in Addis Ababa: Addis Ababa will host the World Public Summit on diplomacy, innovation and development on 29–30 July 2026.

Nuclear Cooperation in Addis Ababa: Morocco was unanimously elected as an AFCONE commissioner for a three-year term at the AU headquarters, underscoring the push for peaceful nuclear technology for health and agriculture. BRICS Finance Push: Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers endorsed a bill to join the New Development Bank, aiming to broaden development financing and reduce reliance on limited funding channels, with parliamentary ratification expected soon. Power Sector Upgrade: The Ethiopian Electric Utility signed a 3 billion birr deal to modernize power distribution in Ambo, Nekemte, and Asosa, targeting fewer outages and lower technical losses. Regional Security Diplomacy: The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes backed stronger African-led mediation, stressing coordination across AU, Washington Accords, and Doha, and warning there is no military solution. Sudan Humanitarian Alarm: UNICEF urged the UN Security Council to halt explosive weapons transfers and call for a truce to prevent escalation in El Obeid, warning of a rapidly narrowing window to avert disaster. East Africa Cyber Readiness: An IGAD regional cyber drill is underway in Addis Ababa to strengthen cross-border defenses against cyber threats. Ghana-Ethiopia Ties: Ghana’s new ambassador presented credentials in Addis Ababa, pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation on trade and investment.

Hydropower & power gaps: Africa added over 4.2 GW of new hydropower in 2025, with GERD now Africa’s biggest plant, but the continent still lacks pumped storage and faces transmission bottlenecks as solar grows. Ebola funding: Africa CDC says confirmed Ebola cases in DRC and Uganda have topped 1,130 and is appealing for $1.4 billion to stop the outbreak from peaking and spreading further. Ethiopia diplomacy: PM Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed commitment to a stronger Ethiopia–Pakistan partnership after election congratulations, as Ethiopia continues to court regional and global ties. Council decisions: Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers approved loan agreements with IDA for inclusive development, land management, and climate-resilient irrigation, and moved draft service-fee regulations forward. Digital push: A new report says Africa’s digital divide is shifting from coverage to internet adoption, with only 9% of Africans still outside mobile broadband coverage. Energy access reality: A new SDG 7 update says sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 86% of the global electricity access deficit, with Ethiopia among the biggest gaps. Climate resilience finance: At London’s climate resilience summit, Ethiopia’s COP team highlighted the need for faster adaptation investment and better access to finance.