AFD Combats Climate Change Via Water Project

Sep 10 , 2023


A one million euro project aimed at helping Ethiopia adapt its groundwater resources management to climate change was launched last week by the French Public Research Institute BRGM (the French Geological Survey) in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Energy. The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and aims to map the suitability of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) for mitigating drought and water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. MAR allows for the recharging of excess water, such as floods and treated wastewater into appropriate aquifers to be stored and used later. Aquifer management needs to be improved as groundwater accounts for up to 80pc of Ethiopia's water consumption. The agreement was signed by French Ambassador Rémi Maréchaux, on behalf of AFD, and Minister Habtamu Itefa (PhD) at the Ministry's office, Haile Gebresilasie Street. The ambassador noted that France is committed to supporting climate-resilient water access in Ethiopia, both through this project and through continuing to partner with other countries such as Denmark. Climate change has introduced global shocks in rainfall increasing the frequency of droughts with the consequences being felt by developing countries most harshly.


Radar

Regional Development Banks Tie-up for Private Sector Growth

Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and Trade Development Bank Group (TDB) signed a 100-million-dollar disbursement for a hybrid capital instrument last week on the sidelines of the African Union summit. Admassu Tadesse, president and managing director of TDB Group, and Sidi Ould Tah (PhD), president of BADEA were the signatories at the event attended by Central Bank Governor Mamo Mihretu, CEO of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange Tilahun Kassahun (PhD), and Deputy Chairperson of...


Radar

National Bank Reports Five-Year Low Inflation, Record-High Exports

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), in its six-month snapshot on monetary and external sector developments, reports that inflation has dropped to 15.5pc, the lowest in five years and a 13.9pc decline from last year's 29.4pc rate. Headline inflation stood at 34.5pc during the same period in 2022. The report also shows a sharp decline in food inflation, which fell by 16.6pc, from 32.3pc in January 2024 to 15.7pc in January 2025. Non-food inflation dropped by 10.2pc, from 25.3pc last year to 1...


Radar

Horn Initiative Boosts Regional Development Agenda

A total of 20 projects worth three billion dollars are currently being implemented in Ethiopia under the Horn of Africa Initiative, which held a performance review platform last week. This initiative, established in 2019, seeks to economically integrate Horn of Africa countries through development projects. Finance Minister Ahmed Shide accentuated the initiative's goals of enhancing infrastructure connectivity, strengthening trade and economic integration, building resilience to natural and man...