Ethiopia Increases Contribution to IFAD by Tenfold

Addis Ababa:Ethiopia has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) by significantly increasing its contribution to the Fund's 14th Replenishment (IFAD14).According to Ethiopian News Agency, President Taye Atske-Selassie announced this commitment during a high-level gathering that included African Heads of State and Government, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and IFAD President Alvaro Lario.The renewed commitment is part of Ethiopia's efforts to transform rural livelihoods and enhance agricultural development. President Taye emphasized the nearly five-decade-long partnership with IFAD, which has supported the improvement of livelihoods and resilience for millions in the country's rural and pastoralist communities.Successive programs under this partnership have reached nearly 10 million people, supported by 227 million USD in national contributions and approximately 1.2 billion USD in total co-financing. Demonstrating it s renewed commitment, the Ethiopian government has increased its contribution to IFAD14 from 100,000 USD to 1 million USD.This move highlights Ethiopia's ongoing focus on rural transformation, agricultural development, and strengthening opportunities for rural and pastoralist communities.