Addis Ababa:Ethiopia's Ministry of Finance has emphasized the economic importance of investing in nutrition, particularly in addressing child stunting and anemia. The ministry outlined the significant economic benefits that could be achieved by eliminating undernutrition.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Samson Gebremariam, a representative of the Ministry's International Financial Directorate, spoke at a high-level dialogue on nutrition financing in Addis Ababa. He highlighted that investments in nutrition are crucial for economic growth, enhancing productivity, and developing human capital. Samson underscored the need for domestic resource mobilization, targeted investment, and rigorous expenditure tracking for sustainable financing, especially as official development assistance declines.
For the current fiscal year, the federal government has allocated nearly $20 million to the Seqota Declaration, with expectations that regional governments will match this amount. A financial administration directive is now in place to guide the allocation and management of these funds. Samson also noted successful collaboration with the African Development Bank on the Multisectoral Action for Stunting Reduction Project as an example of effective partnership-based financing. He stressed the importance of aligning investment priorities with clear cost estimates, structured financing plans, and measurable outcomes.
Hiwot Darsene, Lead Executive at the Ministry of Health's Nutrition Coordination Office, explained Ethiopia's multisectoral approach. The strategy integrates health, agriculture, education, water, and social protection under the national Food and Nutrition Strategy. Since joining the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement in 2012, Ethiopia has used its 10-year Food and Nutrition Strategy and the Seqota Declaration's 15-year roadmap to coordinate interventions aimed at ending child stunting by 2030.
Local administrations are implementing costed district plans to prioritize high-impact interventions and manage cross-sector budgets. Tools for tracking nutrition budgets and monitoring performance are improving accountability and spending efficiency. Oversight mechanisms include a high-level forum of federal ministers and regional presidents, supported by dedicated coordination bodies.
The dialogue brought together delegates from Ethiopia and across Africa to exchange best practices in domestic resource mobilization, nutrition investment models, and innovative financing mechanisms. The forum seeks to refine funding strategies and foster collaboration between governments and development partners to combat malnutrition and support long-term human capital development.
