The EU has announced a €170m package of support as part of its development co-operation programme with Ethiopia.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the funding package during a visit to Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, her first official visit outside Europe as president, bringing the EU’s total development co-operation support for Ethiopia for the period between 2104 and 2020 to €815m. The country has received an additional €271.5m through the EU’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa since 2015.
President von der Leyen said: “Ethiopia has given hope to a whole continent and beyond, showing that peace with one’s neighbours for the good of the people is possible when there is courage and vision. I am here today to show the European Union’s full commitment to supporting Ethiopia and its people on their future path.”
The funding will be allocated to a number of key development areas, including:
- €100m for economic reforms in Ethiopia’s transport and logistics sectors, with the dual goals of facilitating the country’s international economic co-operation and boosting its competitiveness as a region;
- €50m to extend the Ethiopian government’s Health Transformation Plan, aimed at reducing inequalities in healthcare, until 2022;
- €10m to promote political accountability and transparency during Ethiopia’s 2020 elections and strengthen the role of the country’s National Electoral Board – this has been matched by a further €10m from Germany; and
- €10m to improve the climate for business, promote private investment and support sustainable jobs creation across Ethiopia.
Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, said: “Ethiopia plays a central role in promoting stability and economic integration in East Africa, building on the historic opportunity provided by last year’s peace agreement with Eritrea. Today’s announcements reinforce the EU’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia in achieving the ambitious political, social and democratic transition that will not only transform the lives of Ethiopians but inspire change across the region.”
