AGP Executive Report

Climate & Food Security: El Niño is strengthening fast, and northern Ethiopia’s farmers are already facing failed rains and delayed sowing—warning of a predictable food, fiscal and humanitarian emergency that still lacks adequate mobilization. Tax & Transport: Addis Ababa’s taxi-hailing drivers say new tax rules are stalling formal work because deductions for real costs aren’t reflected, pushing them toward unregulated, untaxed operations. Aviation & Trade Costs: Ethiopian Airlines reports costs rising faster than income as Middle East airspace closures and Red Sea disruptions force expensive fuel rerouting, with fuel now taking a major share of operating costs. Urban Heritage & Housing: Demolition has begun on the Ethiopia Hotel complex in Addis Ababa to make way for a high-rise development, with tenants already moved out. Education & Autonomy: Addis Abeba University’s autonomy restructuring has left hundreds of administrative staff and academics without placements, raising questions about the price of institutional freedom. Social Policy: A new study argues childcare is economic infrastructure—boosting women’s paid work and household welfare—while Addis Ababa struggles to expand daycare fast enough. Energy Access: EEU says it electrified 205 rural kebeles and connected 664,505 households to the grid, while also reporting $13.4m in foreign currency earnings. Regional Stability: PM Abiy warns TPLF is trapped in outdated ideology and acting as a proxy for external interests, heightening fears of renewed conflict. Culture & Identity: A historical novel, “Behind the Synagogue,” was launched in Addis Ababa exploring the Beta Israel community’s heritage and discrimination. Sports: World Athletics U20 Day 3 delivered a standout 400m finish as Jayden DeLeon won gold, ending South Africa’s dominance.

Air Force Deterrence: Ethiopia’s Air Force says its growing operational and defense capabilities are strengthening deterrence and making adversaries think twice. Electricity Access: The Ethiopian Electric Utility reports connecting 664,505 households to the grid in the fiscal year, plus electrifying 205 rural kebeles and villages using off-grid solar. Mining Revenue: Ethiopia’s mineral export earnings rose to about $5.7 billion in the year ending July 7, 2026, with gold production and jobs driving the increase. BRICS Culture Track: BRICS culture ministers in Bhopal adopted the Bhopal Declaration, outlining cooperation on cultural and creative industries, heritage protection, and digital tools. UAE-Ethiopia Link via Investment: The Ethiopian Army Foundation and Reportage Properties launched a mixed-use housing and commercial project in Addis Ababa, aiming to boost jobs and urban development. Tragedy in Amhara: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide at an Ethiopian Orthodox monastery during the “Holy Water” ritual, killing at least 14 pilgrims and injuring others. Digital Learning in Harar: An Ethiopian diaspora couple opened two digital libraries in Harar, adding 6,000+ books for students. Regional Warning: A Horn of Africa analyst says Eritrea’s leadership and Egypt’s alignment with it could worsen instability, including risks to Ethiopia. Aviation Leadership: Reports highlight Ethiopian aviation veteran Tewolde Gebremariam’s new role as Air India CEO and the safety and turnaround challenges ahead.

GERD Momentum: Ethiopia is being urged to build more mega dams on the Abay (Blue Nile) after the GERD’s inauguration, with experts saying the project has shifted the Nile narrative toward equitable use. Independent Media Under Pressure: The Committee to Protect Journalists says Ethiopian authorities escalated harassment against Addis Standard, detaining and assaulting its editor, raiding the newsroom, and issuing an eviction notice. Malaria Drug Resistance: A new study says malaria parasites are stockpiling adaptations, making drug resistance more complex and threatening current frontline treatments—research led by Ethiopian scientists. Oromo Identity and Governance: PM Abiy Ahmed told Oromia Broadcasting Network that Oromo resistance targeted flawed administrative systems and exclusion, not Ethiopia as a nation. BRICS Education Push: India’s Pralhad Joshi says BRICS education ministers adopted a declaration in Bhubaneswar focused on resilience, innovation, youth participation, and people-first cooperation, with Ethiopia among attendees. Regional Sports Draw: CAF preliminary-round matchups were set in Cairo, including Ethiopia’s Belallo potentially facing Libya’s Al-Ahly Tripoli.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Ethiopia’s Addis Standard editor-in-chief Yonas Kedir was detained and assaulted, with security forces raiding the newsroom, seizing equipment and destroying parts of the studio, while the outlet also faces eviction. Ebola Response: Africa CDC says DR Congo’s Ebola fight will shift to village-centered community action, alongside free healthcare, workforce support, a unified health plan and faster vaccine research. Mining Revenue Boost: Ethiopia posted record mining export earnings of over $5.7bn in 2025/26, led by gold, and targets $6.7bn for 2026/27. Power Sector Update: Ethiopia’s EEU reported 118.91bn birr revenue in 2018/19, exceeding its target and expanding customers and digital services. Digital Security: INSA unveiled a new Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Proclamation to protect Ethiopia’s strategic digital systems as cyber threats rise. Agriculture Reform: Ethiopia plans to convert farmer clusters into legally recognized, farmer-owned agribusiness companies to improve governance, finance access and market links. Regional Diplomacy: Ethiopia and Mexico agreed to strengthen investment cooperation, with Mexican firm Gruma exploring Ethiopia. BRICS Education: India’s Pralhad Joshi says BRICS education ministers adopted a declaration focused on resilience, innovation and cooperation, with Ethiopia among participants.

Media Crackdown: Ethiopia’s authorities detained Addis Standard editor-in-chief Yonas Kedir for 24 hours and raided the outlet’s offices, continuing a wider push against independent reporting. Economic Enforcement: The government says it has arrested 91 suspects, including a deputy customs commissioner, over alleged organized economic sabotage, contraband and tax manipulation threatening the reform drive. Tigray Tensions: Commentaries warn of renewed escalation risk after reports of Eritrean-linked figures entering Ethiopia’s Tigray region and open displays of state symbolism. Food Security Watch: Analysts warn that fertiliser disruptions tied to global shipping bottlenecks could quickly translate into higher prices and lower yields across Ethiopia and the region. BRICS Education: India will chair the BRICS Education Ministers’ meeting in Bhubaneswar, with Ethiopia among participants, focusing on early childhood education, skills, research and qualification recognition. Airline Leadership: Air India confirmed Ethiopian aviation veteran Tewolde Gebremariam as CEO and MD, tasked with steering safety, reliability and expansion.

Aviation Leadership: Air India appoints former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its new CEO and Managing Director, replacing Campbell Wilson, as the Tata-owned carrier tackles widening losses and safety scrutiny after last year’s crash. Local Development: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurates a new terminal at Bahir Dar Dejazmach Belay Zeleke International Airport, boosting passenger capacity and modernizing access and amenities to strengthen the city’s role as a transport and trade hub. Human Rights & Accountability: Amnesty International warns that impunity is fueling renewed fighting in Tigray, urging renewed accountability as civilians face renewed risks. Press Freedom: Ethiopian security agents abduct and assault Addis Standard’s editor-in-chief, a fresh blow to independent media after earlier licensing action. Humanitarian Mobility: Rwanda receives 177 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya, including people from Ethiopia and other Horn of Africa countries, for temporary hosting and processing. Health & Resilience Finance: Ethiopia’s Red Cross calls for stronger local resource mobilization to cut foreign funding dependence, aiming for 80% domestic funding by its centenary. Education Regulation: Ethiopia’s Education and Training Authority faces criticism for rules that may limit higher education institutions to two semesters per year, raising concerns over autonomy and private colleges. Regional Diplomacy: BRICS industry and commerce ministers meet in Jaipur, with Ethiopia among participants, focusing on investment, digital commerce and resilience.

Aviation Leadership: Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its new CEO and Managing Director, replacing Campbell Wilson as the Tata-owned carrier moves from stabilization into faster growth and global expansion. Regional Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s public diplomacy chief says Egypt is intensifying its media campaign around GERD to distract from domestic pressures, arguing the dam issue is being used as a political tool rather than water management. Digital Transformation: Benin’s digital minister calls Ethiopia’s MESOB and National ID services a “textbook case” for Africa, highlighting growing tech cooperation and Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 push. Climate & Safety: China’s MAZU AI weather early-warning platform is strengthening forecasting in African countries, improving disaster preparedness for ports and cities. Public Health: A malaria reminder stresses the disease’s preventable toll across Africa and the need for stronger prevention and prompt treatment. Security & Conflict: Reports say fighting and renewed tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray have driven civilians to flee toward Sudan.

Airline Leadership: Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, replacing Campbell Wilson as the Tata-owned carrier moves into an “execution and expansion” phase amid losses and heightened regulatory scrutiny after the 2025 crash. Horn of Africa Security: Residents in Alamata, straddling Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara, say a growing military presence is raising fears of renewed fighting, as Tigray and federal forces trade accusations of offensives. Diplomacy & Climate: Ethiopia’s foreign minister met African Union Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in Addis Ababa to coordinate Horn peace and security and preparations for COP32 in 2027. Energy Push: Ethiopia says it is well placed to become Africa’s energy hub, citing large hydropower potential and expanding electricity exports and interconnections. Public Health: Ethiopia will host the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa in late August, drawing health ministers and officials from 47 member states. Migration & Safety: Ethiopia repatriated over 90,000 nationals facing hardships abroad in 11 months, with new flights bringing back Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia.

Bishoftu Airport Push: CNN highlights Ethiopia’s planned Bishoftu International Airport expansion, aiming for 110 million passengers and 4 million tons of cargo by 2030, as the project is framed as a major aviation and trade boost. Digital Sovereignty: Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh says FaydaVerse upgrades Ethiopia’s National Digital ID into a wider platform for inclusion and public services, with nearly 50 million registered and 160 million verifications already reported. Nile Tensions: Egypt’s irrigation minister warns it “will not allow” new Ethiopian Nile dams and presses for a legally binding GERD data-sharing deal. Green Legacy Milestone: Ethiopia reports a record 805 million seedlings planted in one day under the Green Legacy Initiative, with millions joining nationwide. Disaster in Amhara: A landslide at Tsadkane Debre Mitmaq St. Mary Monastery killed at least 14 worshippers and injured seven as rescue efforts faced difficult identification and debris risks. Humanitarian Funding Gap: UNICEF warns Ethiopia’s child-focused humanitarian appeal is only 22% funded, urging urgent donor support. CID Job-Scam Probe: Ethiopia-linked Canada job scam leads to CID investigations after Ethiopian authorities rescued abducted Sri Lankans, with a suspect arrested in Kilinochchi. BRICS Education Agenda: India hosts the 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting in Bhubaneswar (Aug 5–7), with Ethiopia among participants as discussions focus on early learning and TVET cooperation.

Amhara Landslide Tragedy: A deadly landslide struck the Tsadkane Mariam Orthodox monastery in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, killing 14 worshippers and injuring three to seven others as rescue teams used excavation machinery amid heavy rains during the main June–September rainy season. Sudan Peace Mediation: The UN says five international bodies, including the AU and EU, continued consultations with Sudanese political stakeholders to push an inclusive political process after earlier exploratory talks in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s Nuclear Push: Ethiopia is strengthening its regulatory and legal framework for peaceful nuclear power, holding stakeholder consultations on draft rules covering licensing, safety, site selection, environmental safeguards, and emergency response. Urban Greening Spotlight: UNECA highlights Addis Ababa as a credible model for greener cities, citing electrification, large-scale tree planting under Green Legacy, and efforts to promote electric vehicles. GERD in Global Media: CNN spotlighted the GERD as a major engineering achievement and a symbol of Ethiopia’s infrastructure-led growth. Green Legacy at Work: Ethio Telecom expanded its renewable-powered telecom sustainability and announced more tree-planting under its Green Legacy program. Mining Update: Kefi Gold and Copper says Phase 1 resettlement for its Tulu Kapi project is largely complete, with compensation agreements finished and infrastructure work advancing. BRICS Education Track: India will host BRICS education meetings in Bhubaneswar from Aug. 5–7, focusing on early childhood education, skills, research, and cooperation.

Tigray Crisis at the Border: Clashes between Ethiopian forces and TPLF fighters have pushed more people across into Sudan, with reports of 15 Tigray rebel bodies recovered in a Sudanese border town after fighting. Sudan Civilian Toll Warning: The UN says drone strikes in North Darfur and renewed attacks in North Kordofan are escalating harm to civilians and humanitarian work, urging de-escalation and access. Green Ethiopia Drive: Ethio telecom launched its 8th nationwide seedling planting push, mobilizing thousands of staff and partners across all regions under the Green Legacy push. Record Tree-Planting Day: Ethiopia held a nationwide campaign aiming to plant 800 million seedlings in one day, as millions joined the Green Legacy Initiative. Disaster in Amhara: A landslide at a monastery ritual in Amhara killed 14 and injured seven, with search and rescue still ongoing for missing people. Aviation Watch: Boeing’s 737 Max 7 cleared FAA certification for commercial service after years of delays, with Ethiopian Airlines’ 2019 crash among the events that reshaped oversight. Tour de France Femmes Milestone: Harshita Jakhar became the first Indian woman to feature in the Tour de France Femmes, leading a ceremonial start that included Ethiopian riders.

Tigray Crisis at the Border: Heavy clashes between Ethiopia’s federal forces and TPLF fighters near Shererina in western Tigray have driven hundreds of Tigrayans into Sudan, with reports of heavy artillery, drones, and wounded arrivals—raising fears the 2022 peace deal could unravel. Refugee Camps Hit: Sudan’s Interior Ministry says projectiles landed inside refugee camps along the Sudan-Ethiopia border during the fighting, killing people and injuring others, while urging humanitarian protection. Green Legacy Push: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is in full swing with a nationwide drive to plant 800 million seedlings in a day; officials say the effort is boosting climate resilience, water retention, and food security, while dialogue leaders call it a unifying national consensus project. US Visa Bond Policy: The US has made its refundable visa bond programme permanent for selected B1/B2 applicants, with consular officers able to require deposits up to $20,000—covering Ethiopia and many other African countries. Regional Security: AFRICOM warns that Somalia’s Al-Shabaab funnels part of its revenue to Al-Qaeda’s wider network, stressing the need for cooperation across East Africa, including Ethiopia.

Green Legacy Drive: Ethiopia has kicked off a nationwide campaign to plant 800 million tree seedlings in a single day, as part of its push to plant 8 billion seedlings this rainy season to fight land degradation and boost climate resilience. Tigray-Sudan Fallout: Fighting in western Tigray has triggered a new wave of Ethiopians crossing into Sudan, with clashes reported near Shererina and wounded people reaching border and medical hubs inside Sudan. US Visa Shock for Africans: The United States is making its visa bond programme permanent from Aug. 3, requiring some applicants from 50 countries—including Ethiopia—to post refundable deposits of up to $20,000 for B1/B2 visas. BRICS Data Meeting: India will host BRICS Heads of National Statistical Offices in Lucknow on Aug. 3-4, with Ethiopia among the participants focused on quality statistics and innovation. AU Diplomacy Spotlight: Addis Ababa’s packed diplomatic week highlighted Ethiopia’s role as a multilateral hub, with AU Executive Council sessions and security and peace dialogue events drawing regional and international partners.

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy: Millions of Ethiopians are set to plant 800 million seedlings on 3 August, as the Green Legacy Initiative boosts water recovery, springs and streams, and agricultural productivity—while also strengthening Ethiopia’s regional reputation. Tigray Crisis: Clashes between Ethiopia’s federal forces and Tigray rebels near the Sudan border have de-escalated after fears of a renewed offensive and renewed war. U.S. Visa Bond Rule: The United States is making its refundable visa bond programme permanent for travellers from 50 countries, including Ethiopia, with deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 visas. Regional Diplomacy in Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s capital hosted a packed week of African Union and security-focused meetings, reinforcing its role as a key convening hub for peace and cooperation. Trade & Investment Push: Ethiopia is being pitched as a major trade and investment platform, with investors urged to back logistics and trade infrastructure to cut corridor costs. Energy/Competition Watch: Regulators are scrutinizing OLA Energy’s planned acquisition of TotalEnergies Marketing Ethiopia over competition concerns.

Tax Pressure on Daily Life: A new wave of fees is hitting Ethiopians twice for the same public services, as the tax-revenue-to-GDP ratio stays low and the state leans on charges to plug deficits. VAT Crackdown in Addis Ababa: Nearly 180 shops in Mercato’s Shematera market were sealed for weeks in an IMF-linked revenue drive, disrupting thousands of traders after disputes over VAT registration and receipt rules. U.S. Visa Bond Becomes Permanent: From Aug. 3, the U.S. will require refundable deposits of up to $20,000 for B1/B2 visas for citizens of 50 countries, including Ethiopia—money is returned if rules are followed, forfeited for overstays. Tigray Security Deteriorates: Fighting has broken out in western Tigray, with federal forces and TPLF-aligned fighters trading blame and fears rising that peace is unraveling. Green Legacy Mobilisation: Ethiopia is preparing a mass tree-planting push tied to COP32, aiming to plant 800 million seedlings in a day with broad public participation. Conservation Under Fire: A coalition urges Ethiopia to halt planned baboon culling at Nech Sar National Park, calling killing a non-sustainable fix for human-wildlife conflict.

Green Legacy Drive: Ethiopia is mobilizing millions for a nationwide tree-planting push ahead of COP32, aiming to plant 800 million seedlings in a day, with officials calling it a “national movement” for climate resilience, food security and peace. Diplomatic Praise for Reforms: Outgoing India and Finland ambassadors told ENA they’ve seen Ethiopia’s reform momentum firsthand, pointing to urban development, digital adoption and major infrastructure—like the Bishoftu airport—as magnets for investment. Tigray Security Alarm: Fresh clashes between federal forces and Tigray-aligned fighters in disputed western Tigray have reignited fears of a wider return to war, despite international diplomatic efforts. Somalia Peace Commitment: Ethiopia reaffirmed support for AUSSOM and Somalia’s security gains at a troop-contributing summit in Kampala, stressing shared responsibility in countering terrorism. Digital Economy Update: Ethio Telecom reports data and internet services now lead revenue growth, while Telebirr continues expanding its user base. Amhara Mining: Amhara delivered 357 kg of gold to the National Bank, boosting foreign currency earnings.