Ethiopia: Ethiopia Enters 2019 With Renewed Hope, Bigger Development Ambitions

What the report says

Ethiopia is entering its 2019 New Year, Enkutatash, with what the Ethiopian News Agency describes as renewed confidence and a more ambitious development agenda. The report says the holiday, which falls on Meskerem 1 in the Ethiopian calendar, is being marked against a backdrop of reform efforts, major infrastructure projects and a broader push to turn recent gains into lasting economic progress. It also notes the season’s cultural significance, including family gatherings and the symbolic change from the rainy season to a period associated with renewal.

According to the publisher, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has framed this period as a shift from setting goals to delivering results. The article cites national projects and policy efforts such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, corridor development, the Bishoftu International Airport project, macroeconomic reforms, the National Dialogue, the Green Legacy Initiative and the philosophy of Medemer. These initiatives are presented as part of an effort to strengthen unity and deliver more practical benefits to citizens.

The piece says Ethiopia’s 2019 agenda is built around the Ten-Year Development Plan and the second phase of the Homegrown Economic Reform Program. It highlights the federal budget for the year, described as the largest in the country’s history at about 2.339 trillion birr, with spending aimed at education, roads, health, agriculture, energy and urban development. Agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism are identified as key sectors, with the government seeking higher productivity, more jobs, stronger exports and greater self-reliance.