Ethiopians living in climate-affected lowlands of the country will receive new support thanks to a $340 million credit from the International Development Association* (IDA) to enhance their livelihoods and climate resilience. A total of 3 million people, many of which are pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in drought-prone areas, are set to benefit.

Ethiopians nationwide are struggling with the stark realities of climate change, brought on by frequent and severe droughts, as well as devastating flash floods. The livelihoods of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists have been particularly hard hit. In the past three years, the lowlands have suffered from consecutive severe droughts, resulting in significant livestock losses, profoundly affecting the lives of millions who depend on these animals for their survival. These challenges are compounded by persistent conflicts and environmental degradation, further disadvantaging these historically marginalized communities.

Building on the achievements of the first Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project (LLRPI), which made notable progress in enhancing the livelihood resilience of pastoral communities, the Lowlands Livelihood Resilience Project Phase Two (LLRP II) approved today, has been designed with more focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation in order to mitigate, and tackle these challenges more systematically and comprehensively.

“LLRPII is part of our efforts to foster climate-resilient livelihoods and ecosystems by maximizing the potential of the lowlands to contribute to national efforts on growth and poverty reduction. The introduction of an early warning and response system, integrated rangeland management, and the promotion of climate-resilient and sustainable livelihoods, along with policy engagement, are central to this project,” said Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan.

LLRP II will promote technologies, innovations, and practices that enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation at the household, community, production system, and ecosystem levels. The project will integrate an early warning and early action system with nature-based and community-led rangeland management approaches and practices. Additionally, the establishment and rollout of web-based national rangelands monitoring systems will enhance the productivity of rangelands, contributing to the climate resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral ecosystems amid increasing climate pressures.

The project also supports the adoption of climate-smart agricultural and livestock production technologies, innovations, and practices to foster green and climate-resilient food systems among the communities. Furthermore, it will facilitate access to rural financial services for diversified and alternative livelihood options for those seeking to supplement or transition from their livestock-based livelihoods due to the impacts of climate change.

“The project will play a crucial role in improving the livelihoods and climate resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Ethiopian Lowlands by addressing their core constraints,” said Esayas Nigatu, Senior Livestock Specialist and World Bank Task Team Leader. “Its design draws on practical insights from the ongoing first phase and recent studies conducted by the World Bank and its development partners.”

The financing provided by the World Bank will be complemented by an $80 million co-financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), exemplifying a partnership geared towards impactful change. This joint effort highlights a steadfast commitment to reducing poverty within Ethiopia’s most vulnerable communities.

* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 74 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.3 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has provided $458 billion to 114 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $29 billion over the last three years (FY19-FY21), with about 70 percent going to Africa. Learn more online: IDA.worldbank.org. #IDAworks

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Ambassador Hirut zemene Kassa and Mr. Thomas De Belue, Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture Belgium-Luxembourg, Africa, Caribbean, Pacific(CBL ACP) jointly led a business seminar held on 28th of March 2024 at the Embassy premises. The CEO of the CBL- ACP Mr. Tanguy Briey has also graced the event by addressing the audience.

In her welcoming remark H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene urged participants to rededicate efforts in fostering the business links between Ethiopia and Belgium at the level that matches the 118 years diplomatic relations. She also encouraged participants to partake in the upcoming ‘’ETHIOPIA TAMIRT EXPO 2024’’ to be held in Addis Ababa form 9-13 May 2024 and explore opportunities to do business in the manufacturing sector.

An in depth brief was made by Mr. Terefe Dida, from the Embassy of Ethiopia Business Diplomacy Section on why Belgian businesses should eye Ethiopia as an investment destination. Dr Fasika Mekete, representative of the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, also gave an extensive brief on opportunities to invest in the pharmaceutical sector in Ethiopia. Mr. Jonathan Seys, from Ebury, a finance institute, shared his views on the overall economic situation in Ethiopia. Highlights of “ETHIOPIA TAMIRT EXPO 2024’’ were presented by Mr. Yonas Mekuria, the representative of the Ministry of Industry of Ethiopia.

The event brought together over 50 participants that range from representatives of Trade and investment bureaux, business representatives from the Healthcare, Agro-investment, Pharmaceutical Construction, Energy, and Oil&Gas as well as consultancy firms.

Secretary General Thomas De Belue, made a concluding remark at the event by encouraging participants to strengthen the business link between Ethiopia and Belgium and thanking partners and sponsors of the event. The embassy of Ethiopia expresses its gratitude to Mr. Thomas De Beule Secretary General of CBL-ACP and Yvan De Connick Board Member of the Chamber for partnering with the embassy in staging the event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels.

Within the “Ramadan Programs” organized by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), food packages consisting of basic necessities were delivered to 500 families in need residing in Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa.

Within the scope of the theme “Access to Safe Food in Lesotho,” organized by TİKA on the occasion of Ramadan, food packages containing basic necessities were delivered to 500 families in need residing in Mokhotlong, the mountainous region of the country where access to safe food is most challenging.

At the opening ceremony of the program held with the participation of the Deputy of the National Assembly of Lesotho, Bolala Khesa, Deputy Khesa said, “This aid provided by the generous Turkish nation holds significant meaning for us, the people of Lesotho. We are grateful to Türkiye and TİKA for their assistance”.

Being classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Lesotho has been heavily affected by climate challenges caused by global warming, and economic vulnerabilities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic experienced globally. Highly affected by food security risks caused by the Russia-Ukraine War, Lesotho strives to mitigate these climatic, economic and humanitarian risks in the short and medium term.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

Last week while in Lagos, Nigeria, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield announced that the United States will elevate educational and cultural platforms to strengthen creative economies between the United States and Africa. The announcement of these platforms builds on a recent visit to Nigeria by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and aligns with President Biden’s 2022 Executive Order to use the creative arts to strengthen ties between the United States and African nations by fostering collaboration among government entities, community leaders, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, and the African diaspora to promote economic growth and opportunities on both continents.

During a speech at the University of Lagos, Assistant Secretary Satterfield announced a film-focused pilot program for Nigerian students as part of the Community College Initiative Program (CCI), which taps into the U.S. community college system to provide educational and technical training to international students and helps prepare them for the workforce in their home country. In support of Nigeria’s broader efforts to build capacity in the creative economy, the first cohort of Nigerian participants will spend the 2024-2025 academic year at a U.S. community college focused on technical training in the film industry.

Assistant Secretary Satterfield also announced that mid-level music industry professionals from Nigeria, as well as Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, and Morocco, will participate in the first-ever American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP), which is a partnership between the Department and the Recording Academy. AMMP connects international mid-career music industry professionals with mentors, who are members of the Recording Academy. AMMP was first announced by Secretary Blinken at the launch of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative in September 2023. Learn more here.

The African Creative TV (ACTV) initiative focuses on professional development and networking opportunities for television writers, producers, and other technical fields such as art direction, cinematography, editing, and line producing. This summer, ACTV will bring television professionals from across the African continent to Los Angeles for a four-week residence at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where they will be mentored by American television writers, producers, and industry experts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Department of State.