The 2025 Rule of Law Index published by the World Justice Project (WJP) ranks Ethiopia 132nd out of 143 nations globally and highlights what it describes as a “rule of law recession” that has seen more than two-thirds of countries on the list exhibit a judicial decline over the past year.

WSJ, founded in 2006 under the American Bar Association, reports that Ethiopia’s overall rule of law score decreased by 2.4 percent in this year’s index. Regionally, it fared only slightly better, ranking 30th out of 34 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The data reveals a particularly troubling performance in several areas, including the fundamental rights and ‘open government’ categories, in which Ethiopia ranks near bottom.

The report directly links these declines to “a worldwide expansion of authoritarian trends” and cites “shrinking civic space” as a key characteristic of the regression.

The non-profit found that Ethiopia is among the over 70 percent of countries where crucial freedoms have eroded.

“Freedom of opinion and expression declined in 73 percent of countries, including Ethiopia,” with similar regressions noted for freedom of assembly and civic participation, according to the report.

“An expansion of authoritarian trends is the primary force behind the rule of law recession, with deep declines in factors measuring constraints on government powers, open government, and fundamental rights,” reads the WJP report.

The integrity of checks and balances has also been seriously weakened, according to the organization.

It highlights that judiciaries are losing ground to executive overreach, with rising political interference across justice systems, a trend that includes Ethiopia. More broadly, according to the report, civil justice weakened in 68 percent of countries, reflecting longer delays and greater government interference.

Globally, the top-ranked countries are Denmark, Norway, and Finland, while Venezuela sits at the bottom. The findings underscore a heightened risk to democracy worldwide, with Ethiopia’s rankings illustrating the profound challenges it faces in upholding the rule of law for its citizens.

A central goal of the PBF initiative is to improve the quality and coverage of health services, particularly in underserved rural and pastoral areas where access has traditionally been limited and service quality low. By shifting the focus from funding inputs to rewarding verifiable results, the government hopes to increase efficiency and ensure that resources generate greater value.

Ethiopia launched its PBF pilot program in 2015 as part of a broader healthcare reform effort. The pilot project began in the Borana Zone of the Oromia region with support from Cordaid, a Dutch NGO, and the Embassy of the Netherlands, to provide a direct response to the systemic weaknesses of the traditional input-based financing model that had dominated the sector.

The introduction of PBF into Ethiopia’s health system was driven by the need to enhance staff motivation through financial and non-financial incentives linked to performance. The approach was designed to counteract the lack of incentives in the previous structure, strengthen institutional capacity, and align the health system more closely with national development priorities.

Officials see PBF as a key mechanism for aligning health system goals by directly linking financial payments to high-priority areas such as maternal and child health. It has become an essential tool in Ethiopia’s broader strategy to achieve sustainable improvements and ensure that funding delivers measurable results for the population.

Dereje Duguma (MD), the state minister of Health tasked with overseeing health services and programs, was among the officials who attended the symposium. A graduate of the medical school at Mekelle University, Dereje joined the Ministry after completing a graduate program in international public health at Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy in 2013.

The State Minister contends that Ethiopia’s decade-long engagement in PBF has registered successful results. The Reporter’s Abraham Tekle caught up with Dereje to discuss Cordaid’s contribution to Ethiopia’s health sector, the benefits of the PBF project model, perspectives on changes in the global health ecosystem, the decline in financial aid and strategies to address the resulting gaps, among other key issues. EXCERPTS: 

The Reporter: The symposium’s theme was ‘From Local Change to Global Impact.’ What were its main objectives and what contributions have Cordaid and the government of the Netherlands made to the Ethiopian health sector?

Dereje Duguma (MD): Cordaid has been one of the longstanding partners supporting Ethiopia’s health sector for many years, as well as in other African countries and globally. During today’s event, the organization highlighted its decade-long contribution to improving healthcare services across various parts of Ethiopia.

As part of its broader project plan, Cordaid selects health institutions, provides financial support to help them deliver better services, and empowers healthcare workers to serve their communities more effectively. The main purpose of this support is to strengthen the health sector by ensuring equitable and improved services, particularly in remote areas, through better financing mechanisms by mobilizing resources from aid providers, communities, and governments to enhance healthcare delivery.

Our observations show that Cordaid’s initiatives have achieved notable results in the selected areas. Health professionals also have demonstrated increased motivation aligned with the benefits they receive. Moreover, data management systems have improved, reaching the family level within these communities. Their work has also contributed to reducing maternal and child mortality.

The PBF pilot project was one of the main discussion points. How has the Ethiopian health system benefited from the project model?

We’ve registered amazing achievements in terms of PBF in the landscape of the health sector over the past decade. The scale-up went from the Borena zone to many zones across different regions. Oromia, Amhara, Southern Ethiopia, Somali, and others have joined the scale-up. One of the things we have achieved is increasing the number of patients, especially outpatients, and I think this will be able to help the community in high-risk areas.

The second improvement has to do with the quality of the healthcare system. By quality, I mean availability and training, and we have especially motivated people in that specific area. The report received by the Ministry of Health is positive and there is an accountability framework, so it will be verified by a third party.

For example, maternal mortality has declined in areas where PBF is implemented. And also, communicable diseases have been presented in the controls in those areas. Another important thing that I’ve seen is the motivation of our healthcare workers, where staff retention has improved because they receive benefits and incentives through PBF.

There are also improvements in hospital income and primary healthcare system financing, with more support coming from both regional administrations and community contributions. Hospitals are using these resources to enhance service quality and infrastructure. In some hospitals and health centers, for example, new maternal blocks have been constructed using funds mobilized through performance-based financing. These developments show a significant impact on the ground.

How do you see the global health ecosystem changing? What role do development partners play now?

The current global financial landscape is not at a comfortable level for us. In terms of financial assistance, the last few years, especially the last three, were not a good time for us. I think we need an innovative financial approach to the health sector. One is to have innovative finance, like performance-based financing, where we can mobilize resources from the private sector, from CSOs and the community, through the upwards activity of PBF users. That is one important thing.

The second is that the government must also enhance more resource-intensive sectors from trade areas. That is what we are doing now. I think partners in this specific area have to align with the strategies of the government, especially in terms of still bringing flexible and sustainable funding to the health sector. For example, we have the Lusaka Initiative and partners like Global Funds, Gavi, the Global Financing Facility, all aligned with the strategies of the government.

We need more alignment, more harmonization, and prioritizing government policy. And our partners have to invest in local capacity enhancement. We have many international partners, but we prefer local CSOs to be empowered. Going forward, we must also support the local systems, especially the primary healthcare system, as it is the foundation of the health sector.

Philanthropists are now venturing into health because they are the ones who can really support different governments when aid is going down. We need more integration and alignment in this dwindling financial landscape.

What collaborative approaches does the Ministry of Health employ when working with organizations such as Cordaid and other health service partners?

In terms of financial assistance to the country’s health sector, most of the funding has traditionally come from co-partners and donor organizations. However, over the past ten years, their contribution has shown a decline as the government’s share has gradually increased through additional financing obtained from the health insurance initiative, which supports considerable financial sustainability.

Despite this, the Ministry continues to receive substantial financial support from various co-partners and aid organizations, particularly in efforts to combat communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. The collaboration involves regular discussions with partners at both ministerial and technical levels, held every three months, to review progress and align efforts in different program areas.

In this process, resources are pooled together, evaluations are conducted to assess achievements and identify gaps, and feedback is provided to partners as part of the reporting process. Therefore, the Ministry maintains strong and effective partnerships with all co-partners, resulting in impactful collaboration. According to aid organizations, Ethiopia’s partnership framework is considered stronger compared to that of many other African countries.

What measures is the Ministry taking to address the financial gaps resulting from the decline in external financial aid in recent years>

It is true that in the past five years, financial aid to the health sector has been steadily decreasing, and in some cases, it has stopped entirely due to various reasons. This trend is not unexpected, as global circumstances have increasingly affected the flow of aid to countries like Ethiopia. In response, the Ministry has been exploring alternative options to address the financial gaps and strengthen the country’s overall financial capacity.

One of the key solutions has been to increase the government’s financial contribution to the health sector. Over the past two years, the government has injected additional funding to support healthcare services. Another major initiative is the health insurance program, which currently benefits more than 63 million Ethiopians by providing access to essential health services.

Through this initiative, the country has collected close to 20 billion Birr, with plans to mobilize additional financial support from other stakeholders. Despite existing limitations, the Ministry has managed to handle the situation effectively. Compared to other African countries, Ethiopia’s position remains relatively stable in terms of managing the financial challenges in its health sector, as PBF contributes to the improvements of Ethiopian healthcare. 

Cordaid is celebrating one hundred years of work in health relief and development. Going forward, what would you like to see from the NGO in terms of its engagements in Ethiopia?

First of all, I would like to congratulate Cordaid for its achievement. At least with the journey that Cordaid has had in the Ethiopian health sector, we have seen remarkable support. As the government of Ethiopia, we are keen to work with Cordaid and see that Cordaid is supporting the whole health system by prioritizing the strategies of the government and priorities of the health sector. Here, I would like Cordaid to continue to work with us to mobilize more resources to bring different actors into the support mechanisms.

Agricultural researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across Eastern Africa gathered in Addis Ababa on October 28 to mark the conclusion of the Land, Soil, and Crop Information Services (LSC-IS) project — a regional effort that has quietly reshaped how data drives farming decisions in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda.

Launched in 2021 under the European Union–funded Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) program, the initiative sought to strengthen climate-smart agriculture by transforming the way information on land health, soil fertility, and crop response is collected, shared, and applied.

At its core, the project established Land, Soil, and Crop Information Hubs—digital platforms hosted by national agricultural research institutions that integrate vast, previously fragmented datasets into systems that are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). These hubs translate technical data into practical tools, enabling farmers, extension officers, and policymakers to make more informed choices about land use, crop management, and climate adaptation.

“The partnerships we have built, the innovations we have introduced, and the knowledge we have shared are environments that must continue to thrive,” said Abera Deresa (PhD), chairperson of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).

Abera noted that the project has been pivotal in helping the three countries generate, manage, and share agricultural data for evidence-based decision-making. “Through collaborative efforts, we have improved access to reliable land, soil, and crop information, bridging the long-standing gap between data producers and users,” he said.

The LSC-IS initiative, supported by partners including the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), has already influenced agricultural productivity and policy development across the region. Beyond national institutions, it has also empowered local actors — from researchers to smallholder farmers — with knowledge and digital tools designed to build resilience in the face of climate change.

“Today’s workshop gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we have accomplished, share lessons learned, and discuss how best to sustain and scale the impact of LSC initiatives beyond the project’s life,” Abera said.

For many participants, the event marked not just the end of a project but the beginning of a shift — toward a culture of open agricultural data, shared innovation, and regionally coordinated climate action.

Over its five-year span, the project established integrated data hubs within the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). According to project organizers, these hubs have become cornerstones for centralizing and standardizing agricultural data, giving governments new tools to plan for food security and climate resilience.

But the project’s impact went beyond data integration. A significant portion of its effort focused on building national capacity—training technical staff to manage and sustain the systems independently. It also prioritized user engagement, working directly with farmers and extension officers to help them apply research findings in the field, adopt climate-smart practices, and manage land more sustainably.

“In Ethiopia, the future of these data systems is fully secure with the EIAR,” said André Kooiman, senior sustainable land management expert at the International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), noting that the technical and institutional results have been successfully embedded in national systems.

Representing the EU Delegation to Ethiopia, Julia Walschiebauer highlighted how the new data hubs are designed to meet the needs of multiple stakeholders—from policymakers drafting agricultural strategies to farmers making planting decisions. “They provide vital support for planning and resilience building,” she said.

Rik van den Boog, director of ISRIC – World Soil Information, told The Reporter that while his institute develops soil data products worldwide, the LSC initiative recognizes that soil data alone is not enough.

“Even if you understand the soil, you still cannot make a proper decision—whether as a farmer or policymaker—without additional data,” he said. “That’s why we developed IT-based platforms that integrate multiple layers of information—what we call ‘data cubes’—to be able to use the data  easily.”

He added that such integrated systems also help governments design smarter agricultural subsidy strategies, aligning incentives with evidence.

Led by Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the LSC-IS consortium brings together a network of international and national partners including ISRIC, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), KALRO, EIAR, RAB, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

Government representatives and technical experts at the workshop described the project as laying the foundation for evidence-driven agricultural transformation across Eastern Africa.

The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia announced via social media this week that Russian automotive companies are exploring a market entry into Ethiopia. Citing an interview between Ambassador Evgeny Terekhin and the TASS news agency, the embassy named UAZ and AvtoVAZ as being in talks to assess the business and investment climate.

According to the statement, these companies are conducting a detailed evaluation of the local market. This includes studying business conditions, relevant legislation, the investment climate, and overall commercial opportunities.

“The process involves conducting in-depth marketing and technical research to ensure the economic feasibility of the projects,” the post stated, quoting Ambassador Terekhin.

The Ambassador confirmed that official negotiations between the two countries are ongoing, highlighting the automotive sector as one of the most promising areas for future bilateral economic cooperation.

“We expect the results of the decisions [to] allow Russian cars to take a worthy place on the roads of Ethiopia,” Terekhin said.

The statement underscored the perceived potential of the Ethiopian market for attracting Russian manufacturers. It also noted that initial steps have already been taken, exemplified by the delivery of tractors from the Russian automotive company Lada Export.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador also confirmed that mutual trade between Russia and Ethiopia more than doubled to USD 191 million in the first half of 2025, emphasizing that economic cooperation is an unconditional priority between the two nations.

“The income indicates a high and mutual interest from the two countries’ businesses,” he said. “We see great potential for increasing the supply of different products like coffee, flowers, oil seeds, and legumes to the Russian market.”

This week in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that relations between Russia and Ethiopia were experiencing “successful and steady development” following a bilateral meeting with Gedion Timotheos, the Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He noted that they are committed to further expanding cooperation in a wide range of areas.

“We decided to invigorate the work and make more effective use of the potential of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation and Trade,” said Lavrov.

In settlements like the Kibbutz, dozens of residents were killed, and many others were abducted and taken captive into Gaza.

Among those abducted was Shoshan Haran (PhD), along with her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, sister-in-law, and niece. Her husband, Avshalom Haran, was killed during the attack. For fifty days, Shoshan and her family were held in Gaza before being released, except for her son-in-law, Tal Shoham, who remained in captivity for 505 days before his eventual release.

In the aftermath of the attack, Israel reported that around 250 people—including men, women, children, and the elderly—had been abducted and taken into Gaza.

For Haran, a humanitarian and agricultural scientist who had spent years supporting smallholder farmers in Africa, including in Ethiopia, captivity brought a sudden rupture to a life devoted to helping others. Her eventual release became a moment of relief, yet her story remained intertwined with the broader pain of those still waiting.

A leading seed expert, Haran’s outstanding career in plant science and agriculture spans more than three decades, pioneering Israel’s achievements in desert agriculture. She is also a Fulbright scholar, the founder and president of Fair Planet, and a member of the Advisory Board for Hostage Aid Worldwide.

As a global NGO, Fair Planet helps smallholder farmers in Africa combat hunger and poverty by providing access to climate-resilient seeds and improved farming practices. Conversely, Hostage Aid Worldwide focuses on effective global measures to secure the safe return of all hostages and end this grave violation of human rights.

Haran also co-founded ReHome, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing innovative housing solutions and financial support to the Israeli families most deeply affected by the tragedy following the October 7 attack. 

From the laboratories of Jerusalem to the fields of Africa, her journey has been driven by science and a commitment to impact. She began in laboratory research, completing her PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and continued with post-doctoral studies in the United States at Rutgers University.

Haran’s work in lab science laid the foundation for understanding the biological potential of seeds and their role in global agriculture. In a wide-ranging discussion with The Reporter‘s Abraham Tekle, she addressed several crucial subjects, including the primary reason for her recent trip to Ethiopia and the initial moments and emotional impact of her abduction. She also detailed the considerable, long-term changes her organization has brought to smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, discussed the lessons she passes on to Ethiopian farmers, and elaborated on whether her personal hostage experience will now shape her humanitarian identity and future advocacy for peace and aid. EXCERPTS:

The Reporter: What was the reason for your recent visit to Ethiopia?

Shoshan Haran (PhD): I was invited officially by the Israeli embassy to participate in the second anniversary commemoration of October the 7^th terroristic attacks on Israel. The reason the embassy invited me is because of my long-term connections and good connections with the Ethiopian people.

On October 7, you were abducted by Hamas and held hostage for 50 days. Can you walk us through the moment you realized you were being taken and the emotions you experienced while in captivity?

On the morning of October 7, I was at home with my husband. We had gathered to celebrate a Jewish holiday with our daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, my husband’s sister, and her daughter. They had come to stay with us for the holiday.

In the early hours, armed men attacked our community. We began hearing gunfire, explosions, and shouting in Arabic. The attackers approached our home, broke through the door and windows, and attempted to enter our safe room. They fired several bullets that penetrated the door, but my husband and son-in-law managed to hold the handle from inside, preventing them from getting in.

Soon after, the attackers used a bulldozer and explosives against the house. They launched a grenade that damaged the wall and broke open the small window of the safe room. At that point, we had no choice but to surrender. My husband and son-in-law were taken out first. Moments later, my daughter, my grandchildren, and I were pulled through the window by the attackers. We were then taken by car into Gaza and handed over to another group who held us as hostages.

And what was very clear is that they were planning to kidnap the babies, and children, and women, and old people. It was actually the first time that a terror organization used mass hostage-taking as a weapon of war. And so, we were taken into Gaza. We did not know at the time how many other people were taken hostage, nor did we know how many people they murdered. I saw that six or seven people, my friends, were murdered next to my house.

After being taken into Gaza, we were placed in houses belonging to local families. We were used as human shields — they believed that keeping hostages with them would protect them from being attacked.

What kept you hopeful during your time in captivity, and how did that experience change your outlook on life afterward?

During those weeks in captivity, what kept me hopeful was the belief that Israel would insist on the release of women and children before making any concessions. I had learned from Holocaust survivors’ stories that it is important to remain strong and not show weakness while in captivity, and I tried to follow that.

I held on to faith that we would eventually be released. I told my daughter and my sister-in-law that every day we stayed alive was another day closer to our freedom.

Only after returning to Israel did I learn that my husband, my sister and her husband had been killed. The attackers murdered 102 people from our small community — and that, across the region, 1,200 people were killed that day.

Considering your long-term commitment to humanitarian service, including your early work in Ethiopia empowering smallholder farmers, can you describe the considerable changes you brought to those farmers? What are your basic project plans now, and what is your long-term vision?

I have been involved in humanitarian and agricultural development projects in Ethiopia for several years. Our work began in 2012, when my NGO established collaborations with ten of the world’s largest seed companies in the world, as well as with Ethiopia’s EIA Research Center in Melkasa.

Our first project took place in Butajira and Meskane, where we tested a wide range of vegetable seed varieties — including locally bred varieties and others from around the world — to determine which were best suited for local farmers. We focused on crops such as tomatoes, hot peppers, cabbage, onions, and later added broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes.

After identifying the best varieties, we worked with local bureaus of agriculture and development agents to train farmers in improved farming techniques. This included guidance on precise irrigation, fertilization, and crop management, as well as strategies for understanding market cycles to maximize income from high-quality produce.

A year later, we expanded our efforts in collaboration with Haramaya University, implementing similar projects in Dire Dawa, Haramaya, and Harar. Through this program, more than 200 villagers across Ethiopia received training, and by 2020, over 75,000 farmers had adopted high-quality seeds — a number that has since more than doubled. The food produced by these farmers now has the potential to feed approximately eight million people with fresh, high-quality vegetables.

The overarching goal of these initiatives has been to bridge the gap between the best seeds in the world and local Ethiopian farmers. Today, more seed companies and seed varieties are accessible in the country. Regional partners report significant improvements: in Butajira and Meskane, the Meki area as well as in Haramayaa and surrounding areas, farmers have achieved greater economic independence and higher incomes.

During my stay here in Ethiopia last week, my contact and local partner at Haramaya University highlighted that farmers are economically independent and reducing overproduction of staple crops and diversifying into vegetables, achieving the mission they set out on when the collaboration began. The results demonstrate tangible economic and social benefits, transforming communities and livelihoods across Ethiopia.

Given your focus on empowering farmers with seeds, tools, and knowledge to build sustainable agricultural systems, what are the most considerable, long-term changes you’ve brought to the farmers in the places where you work?

The results are very evident. We had big research by the University to evaluate the outcomes of our project. And they interviewed many farmers in all the regions that we are doing the intervention. And on average, farmers have tripled their yield.

They have tripled their yield per unit of land, but this is a result of academic research. A big survey that was done in 2021, and the results are very impressive because not only have the farmers increased their yield count, but the research found that the nutrition of the families had  improved dramatically, and many more farmers’ households are able to send their children to school because they have better income and they don’t need the help of their children in the field and so on.

So, the impact is much wider than just getting more yield and more money from farming, the impact is really changing the livelihood of the family and helping them to look at a better future.

Ang again, during my stay here in Ethiopia, I learned that the impact is continuing to grow because now the farmers realize that there are things that have changed and the seed companies are competing now on prices and services to their farmers. I also met a manager of Joytech nursery, one of the biggest nurseries of vegetables in Ethiopia. And he told me that many, many, many farmers are buying from the nursery because they want to have the best seeds and seedlings to start their season and their growth production. Like I said earlier, I was very impressed by the results.

How do you measure the impact of your humanitarian aid efforts in Ethiopia?

We hired university researchers who created a big survey in Ethiopia before we started and after we finished a specific project. We were also able to get support from the Dutch government, which is also active in Ethiopia. The support allowed us not only to work on a much larger scale in East Ethiopia, but also, we measured the impact in an academic way. We did independent academic research, so now we are very sure that the impact is dramatic, positive, and long-term.

Given your background in long-term humanitarian engagement, what lessons or philosophies from your experience can you pass to Ethiopian farmers?

I think that giving farmers the freedom and choice to select the best crops and seeds for their land is paramount. This choice is enabled through objective testing, allowing them to confidently choose the right varieties to grow. Secondly, we greatly expanded our training efforts. We developed a unique on-farm training system—based on a model pioneered in Israel—which allows us to demonstrate the benefits of high-quality seeds and improved land maintenance directly on the farmers’ own fields, rather than just in demonstration plots.

I would encourage the Ethiopian government to utilize the knowledge and manuals we have developed to expand the project’s reach. Because we were working only in the west and the east, I believe this proven system should be implemented in the north and the south of Ethiopia as well.

Among the smallholder farmers you have worked with in Ethiopia, is there a particular story of transformation that stands out to you, and why did it resonate so deeply?

There are many, but farmers in Butajira have achieved the most. The impact has been remarkable. In one specific case, a farmer who was interviewed reported almost eight times more yield and a significantly higher income from his tomato field. But there are many similar stories. On average, more than 100,000 farmers have increased their yield by about three times compared to before.

This improvement is very significant, mainly because the quality of the produce is much higher than that of the old local varieties. As a result, the farmers earned much better incomes. Each one used the additional income differently. For example, a farmer in Butajira named Taji used her earnings to buy cows for milk production. Now, her main source of income is selling milk in Butajira. Each family chose its own path—some expanded their vegetable farms, while others diversified into different income-generating activities.

Looking ahead, do you believe your personal experiences will become part of your humanitarian identity? And if so, how do you intend to channel this incredible experience into your future work advocating for peace and aid?

It sure will. [I am] working with an American NGO that focuses on combating hostage-taking. We are very active in monitoring such incidents worldwide, as well as lobbying and advocating against hostage-taking and the financing of terrorism. Our goal is to help eliminate this horrific weapon of war. In addition, I’m assisting families in Israel who are recovering from the trauma of hostage situations. I founded an NGO that supports families who were severely affected, helping them rebuild their lives and regain stability. That is the focus of much of my current work.

Do you have any future plans or projects you intend to launch in Ethiopia?

We will assess whether further involvement is necessary, especially in light of the results I heard last week. The encouraging news is that the activity continues even without our direct participation — which was our greatest hope from the start. So, we will remain in contact with the Israeli Embassy, and if needed, we will provide additional support in the form of knowledge, experience, and training. For now, it appears that the impact is sustainable, but we will continue to monitor the situation and assist when necessary.

The Pan-African Symposium on Digital Solutions for Water Management, held from October 21 to 23 at the Haile Grand Hotel, brought together government leaders, scientists, and technology experts from across the continent. Co-convened by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa), with support from The Helmsley Charitable Trust, the three-day event explored how innovation can help build a more water-secure and climate-resilient Africa.

Participants included officials from Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Burkina Faso, and Ghana, as well as representatives from the World Bank, the Nile Basin Initiative, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Alongside policy discussions, the symposium featured technology showcases and case studies highlighting how digital tools are reshaping water management across East, West, and Southern Africa.

At the heart of the meeting was a shared objective: to chart new pathways for managing water resources more efficiently and equitably. Speakers emphasized that both Ethiopia and the wider African region are increasingly embracing digital innovations to confront water insecurity and climate risks.

Experts at the symposium described a continent grappling with intensifying floods, droughts, and water scarcity—all exacerbated by climate extremes. Yet, they noted, a more fundamental challenge lies in the lack of reliable data. Without adequate data systems, governments are effectively navigating blind, panelist remarked, warning that the absence of comprehensive water information undermines planning and policy responses.

Closing this “data gap,” participants agreed, is critical. Digital innovations—from satellite imagery and geospatial analytics to real-time monitoring platforms—were presented as powerful tools for bridging that divide.

AbdissaLema, director-general of the Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute, said his institution has established nine specialized sectors to collect and analyze data supporting national development efforts. Among them is the Water Management Centre, which monitors and evaluates changes in the country’s water resources over time.

“We are now working to provide better data services to the sector,” Abdissa said. He added that the Institute’s work supports national projects, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and enhances broader water management efforts across the country.

Digital innovation, he noted, has become indispensable to improving efficiency and service delivery. “We use digital technologies as a means to enhance productivity and make our work more effective,” he said.

AbdulkarimSeid (PhD), IWMI’s representative for Ethiopia and East Africa, echoed the sentiment, describing digital innovation in water management as a “rapidly expanding” frontier. The approach, he said, enables more efficient and reliable decision-making by providing accurate data and strengthening operational systems.

Seid added that IWMI’s initiatives aim to build the capacity of water professionals, foster knowledge exchange, and promote collaboration among African institutions.

Expanding on the role of innovation, Seidobserved that much of Africa has yet to fully harness its abundant water resources — particularly for irrigation. Despite vast river basins and aquifers, he said, most Sub-Saharan countries remain heavily dependent on rainfall, a reliance that has become increasingly risky as climate variability intensifies.

“With all these persistent challenges that the continent is facing, we believe digital innovation can bring foundational change,” Seid said, “by providing credible data on water management and resource capacity to address the effects of climate change and other related issues.”

He emphasized that expanding investments and improving natural resource management are crucial if African countries are to reap the benefits of their available water systems. As an example, he cited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) — a landmark project demonstrating how infrastructure investment can unlock national and regional development.

Yet, Seid cautioned, such success depends on effective data governance and digital integration.

“Any investment expansion requires proper planning and data management,” he told The Reporter. “The application of digital innovation to project investments is vital — not only for development but also for the sound management of natural resources.”

Throughout the symposium, experts reiterated that integrating data from digital platforms, satellite observations, and artificial intelligence can dramatically improve water monitoring, planning, and use. By combining these tools, countries can better track water flows, anticipate shortages, and make informed policy decisions.

Speaking to The Reporter, Rachael McDonnell (PhD), deputy director general of IWMI, said the fast-evolving digital landscape is opening new frontiers for water management. The institute’s initiatives, she noted, aim to merge “the latest ideas, datasets, and technologies” to help governments, investors, and African organizations make evidence-based decisions.

Collaboration, McDonnell stressed, remains central to this effort. “Africa faces growing water stress both within and across national borders,” she said, citing surging demands from agriculture, energy production, and expanding data centers. “Accurate and timely data — from the community level to the continental scale — is essential to ensure water security.”

She added that understanding where water exists and how it is used lies at the core of building sustainable systems for food, energy, and human development.

Over the past 15 years, McDonnell said, Earth observation technologies have transformed how experts understand water distribution, providing new insights into who uses water and where. Integrating these digital records, she added, allows governments to align future water planning with national priorities and local realities.

“The wonderful thing about water,” she reflected, “is that while we might make daily decisions, most of the crucial ones are monthly or seasonal. We need to link that knowledge to national policies and investments to ensure water is managed effectively — for both farming systems and urban communities.”

Since its founding in 1984, IWMI has worked to address critical water-related challenges in East Africa — from environmental degradation and climate risks to water security and cross-border collaboration.

The ‘Monthly Protection Overview’ published by Global Protection Cluster, a group of humanitarian organizations led by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reveals that Tigray is facing critically low supplies of essential drugs for chronic diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and diabetes, severely undermining the health of vulnerable populations.

Reports indicate that the Tigray region hosts over one million of the 4.5 million IDPs estimated to reside in Ethiopia, the majority of whom were driven from their homes by conflict.

Meanwhile, IDP camps across Amhara have been swept up by heavy windstorms, destroying shelters and worsening living conditions, while camps in Gambella are being overwhelmed by tens of thousands of people displaced by seasonal flooding.

The report indicates that heavy windstorms have severely damaged and disrupted shelters in IDP camps spanning North Wollo, North Shewa, and North Gondar, intensifying the humanitarian crisis for the displaced population.

More than 75 percent of IDP shelters in North Shewa have been damaged by heavy wind and rain, according to Global Protection Cluster.

IDPs in Amhara face further hardship as food assistance has been delayed for more than two months, and a chronic lack of firewood has made it difficult for IDPs to cook their meals.

“The ongoing conflict and persistent road blockages contribute to a growing shortage of essential commodities, resulting in noticeable price increases,” reads the report.

The region’s transportation infrastructure has been severely impacted by the conflict, now in its third year. Reports of kidnappings targeting truck and cross-country bus drivers are common, and trade and supply chains have been disrupted by the insecurity, according to the report.

It highlights rising security concerns in IDP camps across the country.

“Risks remain high in newly accessible areas of Tigray, particularly in IDP camps where inadequate shelter, poor sanitation, and lack of lighting continue to expose women and girls to harm,” reads the report.

In Gambella, women face a heightened risk of gender-based violence when walking long distances to fetch water.

“Women moving long distances on foot to fetch water at heightened risk of GBV and involved in conflict with the nearby community members and South Sudanese asylum seekers on sharing the waterpoint,” reads the report.

Global Protection Cluster also raises concern about rising incidence of child marriage in the Amhara region, and warns that a lack of support is forcing more and more displaced children to drop out of school.

This critical finding stands in direct contrast to the targets set forth in Ethiopia’s ten-year development plan, which aims to position the country as a “Centre of Africa’s Female Leaders” and increase the share of female decision-makers to 50 percent.

But while Ethiopia’s legal and policy framework guarantees women’s political rights and includes provisions to promote their inclusion, it falls short of ensuring equitable representation.

According to the document, the significant gap stems from the absence of mandatory gender quotas for candidates and political party leadership, leaving progress dependent on voluntary measures.

It added that the disconnect between legal promise and practical implementation, coupled with reported incidents of Violence Against Women in Elections (VAW-E), continues to hinder the realization of genuine gender equality in Ethiopia’s democratic landscape.

The analysis, commissioned by the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE), identifies a web of systemic barriers—including deep-seated cultural prejudices, financial constraints, and inadequate voter education—that collectively suppress women’s participation across the entire electoral process.

“The ruling party and few parties have adopted a voluntary quota system,” reads the analysis. “The problem of the voluntary quota system is that it heavily depends on one party and there is that obvious question relating to what happens if that party loses ground.”

Although the legal framework encourages women’s involvement as voters, candidates, party members, and election officials, the document underscores that these measures are insufficient. Its authors advocate for the incorporation of mandatory quota systems to substantively enhance women’s representation in legislative, executive, and electoral management bodies.

In a positive trend for voter participation, the report noted that 17 million women were registered to vote for the June 2021 polls, constituting 45 percent of all registered voters, according to the document.

This figure, it added, marked an improvement over previous elections.

However, the analysis recorded a significant decline in women’s political candidacy, dropping from 29 percent in the 2015 elections to 21 percent in 2021. This regression, the report reads, was further highlighted by the finding that only 13 of the registered political parties met the 20 percent threshold for women candidates required to qualify for additional state funding.

To bolster women’s participation in elections, the document noted that the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has focused on ensuring their involvement in regional and lower electoral management bodies. This commitment is evident in the recruitment and employment process, where gender is a specific consideration for appointing regional branch office heads.

The report concludes that despite progressive legal provisions, implementation challenges persist, limiting the framework’s effectiveness in promoting gender equity.

It also calls for enhanced accountability and transparency, including regular publication of gender-disaggregated data and independent audits to evaluate the implementation of gender-related electoral policies.

In 2023 alone, 14.5 million children missed critical routine vaccines. Another 1.3 million people were newly diagnosed with HIV, and 10.8 million contracted tuberculosis. By 2024, malaria had struck 249 million people — with an overwhelming 90 percent of those cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

These sobering numbers set the tone at a recent high-level dialogue hosted by Cordaid and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Sheraton Addis on October 14, 2025. Themed “From Local Change to Global Impact,” the event convened policymakers, health experts, and development partners, including Cordaid Country Director Zarir Merat, representatives from the Dutch Embassy, and Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health, Dereje Duguma (MD).

Strengthening Local Systems

At the heart of the event was a shared conviction: sustainable progress in healthcare depends on local leadership. During a panel discussion, speakers emphasized that Cordaid’s work in Ethiopia is rooted in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and regional bureaus. Rather than leading projects directly, Cordaid supports local institutions to design and implement solutions.

Officials said the initiative aims to drive long-term improvements through innovative financing models such as Performance-Based Financing (PBF) — an approach that ties funding to measurable results in health outcomes. The program also seeks to foster dialogue among government actors, international partners, and the private sector to secure a stronger national commitment to health system reform.

The broader goal, panelists agreed, is to ensure that advances in global health are not confined to statistics or pilot programs but are felt by families in need — in clinics, homes, and communities across the developing world.

Complementing the discussion was a striking photo exhibition that captured life at the frontline of healthcare delivery. The images portrayed health workers navigating rough terrain, reaching remote communities, and providing care under challenging conditions — a vivid reminder of the people and persistence behind the numbers.

Merat noted that Cordaid has worked in Ethiopia for nearly two decades, primarily in the health sector, while also supporting initiatives in education, livelihoods, agriculture, humanitarian aid, and justice. He described the organization’s approach as holistic: “Each project seeks to connect health and education initiatives, reflecting the interdependence of community needs,” he said.

Smaller, complementary programs, he added, have focused on improving access to education and strengthening resilience through livelihood and humanitarian activities. “This initiative allows us to showcase our work and highlight the long journey we’ve undertaken to help improve Ethiopia’s health sector,” Merat said. “It also reinforces Cordaid’s commitment to prioritizing local leadership in tackling health and social challenges.”

A Call for Partnership

Delivering the keynote address, Paula Schindler, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ethiopia, underscored the importance of continued investment in healthcare and collaboration among development actors.

“The photo exhibition serves as a powerful reminder that sustainable progress in healthcare depends on strong partnerships and alignment among all actors,” Schindler said. “When global and national systems successfully converge at the local level, real and visible change takes place.”

She added that the small but steady improvements witnessed within communities are deeply significant. “Effective primary healthcare is built on trust,” she said, “and that trust, once established, safeguards the health of an entire population.”

A Model for Change

When Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) first introduced Performance-Based Financing (PBF) in 2015, the goal was simple but ambitious: to improve the quality of care, strengthen accountability, and make data more reliable across the country’s healthcare system.

The pilot phase began modestly, covering 46 health facilities across three distinct regions — Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia, and Somali. Together, they reflected Ethiopia’s diversity: urban centers, agrarian communities, and pastoralist areas. The results were promising. Quality of care improved, reporting became more consistent, and local health systems began responding better to community needs.

Encouraged by this progress, the MoH expanded the model to the Borena Zone in Oromia — one of Ethiopia’s most remote and pastoralist regions — with support from Cordaid and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The project again delivered measurable results: stronger accountability, better service quality, and greater access to care. Its success led to further scale-up in the Jimma Zone in 2019 and later into additional regions.

At its core, PBF ties funding to measurable performance. Health centers and hospitals are rewarded for delivering high-quality services, maintaining accurate records, and improving patient outcomes. The system also reinforces governance by requiring verification and linking incentives to data accuracy and transparency.

By aligning with broader national healthcare reforms, the initiative aims to eliminate duplication, improve efficiency, and create a more sustainable financing landscape.

A Model for Reform

Speaking at the event in Addis Ababa, Dereje, the State Minister of Health, praised the collaborative effort. He noted that Cordaid and the Embassy have contributed significantly not only to healthcare but also to water and humanitarian programs that support overall community well-being.

“The pilot in Borena has shown that PBF can make a real difference, even in hard-to-reach areas,” Dereje said. “Based on these results, the government is now working to expand the model to other regions.”

Dereje reflected on the broader transformation within Ethiopia’s health sector — a result of sustained investment and policy focus. Over the past decade, the country has seen declines in maternal mortality and communicable diseases, improved emergency response capacity, and an overall strengthening of primary healthcare.

“These achievements,” he said, “are built on three main pillars: strong government leadership, effective partnerships with development actors, and deep community engagement.”

Even during the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting global funding priorities, Dereje said, Ethiopia’s commitment to maintaining essential services has remained firm. “The government’s commitment is bearing fruit,” he added.

Adapting to Global Shifts

Still, the challenges ahead are formidable. Dereje pointed to a changing global health landscape marked by declining donor assistance, recurrent conflicts, and the mounting effects of climate change. These forces, he said, directly and indirectly threaten health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia.

“We are seeing decreasing financial assistance from donors,” he said. “At the same time, there are more outbreaks, natural and man-made disasters, and conflicts in different parts of the world. These challenges affect the health systems of all countries — especially in Africa.”

Yet he viewed these pressures as opportunities for innovation. Strengthening partnerships, finding new financing mechanisms, and increasing efficiency, he said, will be key to sustaining progress.

In recognition of Ethiopia’s evolving approach, the World Health Organization (WHO) commended the country for aligning its National Action Plan for Health Security and One Health Strategy with the agency’s Triple Billion targets — a global goal to ensure one billion more people benefit from universal health coverage, one billion are better protected from health emergencies, and one billion enjoy better well-being.

WHO described the country’s approach as a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” effort — a model that builds trust and resilience by ensuring all sectors, from agriculture to education, work together toward a shared vision of health security.

At just 24, Amanuel Tilahun has built his life around a camera lens. His journey into photography began eight years ago, armed with nothing more than a cell phone his parents had bought him.

“That phone became my first camera—and my teacher,” he said, recalling the early days when he spent hours photographing everyday scenes around Addis Ababa. Each shot, he added, trained his eye to notice light, texture, and emotion—the subtle details that would later define his work.

In 2021, Amanuel joined Board Cellphone (BC), a local collective that helped shape his creative direction and refine his technical skills. “The experience exposed me to new ways of seeing,” he said. “It helped me understand my own potential as a photographer.”

His time with BC opened new doors, including participation in major public showcases such as the Tecno Ethiopia Photo Exhibition. The exhibition became a turning point in his career, allowing him to share his interpretation of Ethiopia’s people and landscapes with a wider audience.

The show followed a photography trip organized by BC and Tecno Mobile, taking participants through Harar, Dire Dawa, Kududo Mountain, and back to Addis Ababa. Over the course of the journey, Amanuel captured more than 40 images that highlighted the country’s dramatic landscapes, vibrant traditions, and the daily rhythms of its communities.

Two of his photographs stood out for their emotional depth and composition. One depicted wild horses galloping across the plateau of Kududo Mountain, with fellow photographers racing behind them—a fleeting, cinematic moment. Another framed the colorful streets of Harar, layered with meaning that, in Amanuel’s words, “goes beyond the visible scene.”

For Amanuel, the exhibition was not just a showcase—it was an affirmation. His work, seen by more than 5,000 visitors, invited audiences to experience Ethiopia through his lens. “My images tell stories of faces and movements that words cannot express,” he told The Reporter. “It was also a chance to show the quality of my craft.”

That spirit of creative exploration continued this year. On October 11, 2025, Tecno Ethiopia, in partnership with BC, hosted the Camon 40 Series Promotion and Photo Exhibition at the Addis International Convention Centre. Featuring more than 250 photographs captured with Tecno’s latest camera innovation, the exhibition blended technology and artistry in one space.

The event brought together established and emerging photographers—including Amanuel—whose works reflected scenes from across Ethiopia. Visitors of all ages wandered through the exhibit, discovering stories told in light and color. For the organizers, the event was more than a celebration of photography; it was a bridge between technology and creativity, giving young visual storytellers the tools to reimagine how Ethiopia is seen.

For Henok Solomon, public relations manager at Tecno Ethiopia, the Camon 40 Photo Exhibition was more than a product showcase—it was a celebration of creativity through technology.

“The exhibition marked a milestone in the collaboration between innovation and art,” Henok said. “It served as a platform to promote photographic work created through mobile technology, while also celebrating Ethiopia’s visual diversity through the eyes of its photographers.”

Organized in partnership with Board Cellphone’s photography team, the exhibition was designed to encourage exploration—both artistic and geographic. “We wanted the public to see their country through local photographers’ perspectives,” Henok said. “By sending the team to different regions and letting them capture images with their phones, we hoped to inspire others to travel and appreciate the beauty around them.”

This year’s event marked the second edition of the exhibition open to the general public in Addis Ababa. The first was held a year ago with the program showcasing around 80 photographs taken in Arba Minch and Awassa, highlighting the landscapes and communities of Ethiopia’s southern regions.

The broader goal, he explained, is to spark public curiosity about Ethiopia’s cultural and natural diversity while demonstrating the capabilities of Tecno’s Camon camera series. The recent exhibition featured the work of more than 20 photographers who completed a week-long photo tour through various regions, taking about 10 days in total to capture their images.

Beyond this particular collaboration, the team continues to document life across Ethiopia. “Recently, they traveled to the Gurage region during the Meskel holiday to capture local traditions and celebrations,” Henok noted. These tours, he added, are part of an ongoing effort to tell diverse stories through photography.

Encouraged by strong public engagement, Henok said they plan to organize more exhibitions in the coming years. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “This year’s turnout was significantly higher than last year’s, with many visitors coming specifically to view the photographs.”

For Amanuel, the exhibition also signaled a personal milestone. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue developing his craft as a full-time photographer and to reach wider audiences through his work. “My goal is to become a well-known photographer and to hold my own exhibitions,” he said.

Every photograph, he believes, is a fragment of a larger story—one that connects people to the landscapes and communities around them. For young photographers like Amanuel, exhibitions such as the Camon 40 Photo Exhibition offer more than visibility; they provide a space to exchange ideas, refine technique, and explore how everyday scenes can become art.