Prime Minister Abiy Reshuffles Agriculture Portfolio, Taps Party Insider as Minister

In a reshuffle with both political and technocratic undertones, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has appointed Addisu Arega Kitessa as the new minister of Agriculture, replacing Girma Amente (PhD), who is reportedly poised to assume a diplomatic posting abroad, according to sources familiar with the transition.

Addisu, 48, arrives at the helm of the Agriculture Ministry with a background deeply rooted in the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) and the Oromia regional administration.

A former head of the PP’s Public & International Relations Division, Addisu is no stranger to the inner workings of the political establishment. He previously served as the Central Committee of the now-defunct Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), a forerunner of the PP, following Alemu Sime’s (PhD) exit in 2019. More recently, Addisu served as vice president and Rural Development Cluster Coordinator for the Oromia Regional State, a portfolio that placed him at the center of rural credit allocation and development efforts across the most populous regional state. His familiarity with grassroots agricultural issues and proximity to party leadership are likely to shape his policy priorities in a Ministry critical to both food security and macroeconomic stability.

Girma, 55, exits the Ministry after a brief but visible tenure, having assumed the role in early 2024. With a doctorate in forestry and urban infrastructure, Girma brought a distinctly technocratic tone to the post. His leadership was evident at last week’s UN Food Systems Summit, where he urged the importance of aligning farm-credit schemes with food price controls and broader inflation management, issues that have taken on renewed urgency during spiraling cost-of-living crisis.

Girma's professional arc, spanning the presidency of Haramaya University, a ministerial stint at the former Ministry of Public Enterprises, and board membership at the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) contrasts to Addisu’s political pedigree.

With agriculture accounting for over a third of GDP and employing nearly 70pc of Ethiopia’s workforce, the Ministry remains crucial of both economic recovery and rural stability.

Addisu’s appointment is likely to be watched closely by international development partners, given his limited direct experience in agricultural sciences but expansive role in rural governance. His ability to steer agricultural policy during climate variability, forex shortages, and institutional inertia will be critical in shaping food system and fiscal resilience in the months ahead.

According to people familiar with the issue, today's appointment signals more reshuffle of cabinet and non-cabinet portfolios are ahead.

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