Council of Ministers approved over 314 million Special Drawing Rights (SDR) in new financing from the International Development Association (IDA) during its 50th regular session. The funds target clean energy expansion and regional skills transformation initiatives. The largest tranche, 294.9 million SDR, will support the national program to accelerate sustainable energy access. It carries a 6-year grace period and a 38-year repayment schedule, aiming to strengthen electricity availability and reliability nationwide. A separate 20 million SDR loan will fund the East Africa Skills Transformation and Regional Integration Project, also with a 6-year grace period and a 31-year repayment term. Both agreements are interest-free, subject only to a 0.75pc service charge, which the Council described as highly concessional and in line with Ethiopia’s debt management strategy. The Council resolved to forward the agreements to parliament for ratification.

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