
The European Union has announced the resumption of budget support to Ethiopia, more than five years after payments were suspended due to human rights concerns during the northern Ethiopia war. The EU will begin its budgetary support with 140 million Euro allocated for priority sectors, to be disbursed in three phases. Jozeph Sikela, EU commissioner for international partnership, disclosed this decision during the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum in Addis Ababa. The EU had initially suspended nearly 90 million euros in budgetary support for transport and health projects in December 2020, one month after fighting began in Tigray. The resumption of support follows ongoing reforms by the Ethiopian government and the EU's desire for further partnerships.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa is set to host its inaugural World Athletics Bronze-level international competition, the Addis Grand Prix, at Addis Ababa Stadium. This event marks Ethiopia's entry into the global circuit of one-day international athletics meetings sanctioned by World Athletics. Preparations are underway, with Olympic and World Championship medalists confirming their participation. The event is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour framework. Confirmed athletes include Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa's fastest man in the 100 meters and a Kenyan sprinter. Dalilah Muhammad, the 400-meter hurdles gold medalist at the Rio 2016 Olympics and a former world record holder, will also compete. Gabby Thomas, identified as a Paris Olympic 200-meter champion, has also confirmed her participation. The Ethiopian Athletics Federation stated that all participating athletes have completed registration, with more Olympic and World Championship competitors expected. Ethiopia's inclusion in the World Athletics Continental Tour calendar, which features Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels, allows it to host internationally recognized events, expanding its role beyond long-distance running.
Must ReadAcross Eastern Africa, initiatives are underway to enhance women's economic participation, highlighted by Chaltu's experience in Ethiopia, where new land registration laws enabled her to secure formal ownership of her farm. This allowed her to access credit, expand her operations, and employ 30 women. Her story reflects broader changes, with a significant majority of land certificates in Ethiopia now including women's names. These efforts align with discussions at the 15th Meeting of the COMESA Technical Committee on Gender and Women’s Affairs in Addis Ababa, focusing on leveraging digitalization to deepen regional value chains. The meeting, which includes officials and ministers from across Eastern and Southern Africa, addresses policy coordination, digital inclusion, and strategies to improve women’s access to economic opportunities. COMESA's gender policy, adopted in 2016, and its Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy aim to translate policy into practical interventions, focusing on financial inclusion and supporting women in cross-border trade. Tsige Tadele, a senior gender mainstreaming officer at the COMESA Secretariat, noted the establishment of "trade information desks" at border points to assist women traders. Ethiopia's State Minister for Women and Social Affairs, Hikima Keyeradin, emphasized aligning national policies with regional frameworks and using digital systems like the Fayda national digital identification program and the Mesob platform to expand access to
Must ReadProfessor Merera Gudina, Chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress OFC and a founding architect of the Medrek coalition, offers a critical assessment of Ethiopia's upcoming seventh National Election on June 1, 2026. He argues that the election is unlikely to establish a democratic system or lasting peace, citing ongoing conflicts in Oromia and Amhara, the exclusion of Tigray, and a narrowing political space. Gudina highlights that Ethiopia has failed to achieve lasting peace, democracy, or meaningful economic development over the past 50 years, with wealth being diverted to conflicts. The OFC, despite its concerns about the political environment, will participate only in select areas of Addis Ababa/Finfinne, acknowledging that current laws prevent a full boycott. Gudina criticizes the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s NEBE “traffic light” security map, particularly the “Green” designations for areas where OFC members still face dangers. He notes that the government's assertions about conducive conditions for elections do not reflect the reality on the ground, citing persistent insecurity and alleged mafia-like activities in regions like Oromia. Gudina suggests that the government appears more focused on suppressing opposition than promoting democratic processes. He also discusses the relationship between the federal government and Tigray forces, stating that Tigray has achieved de facto independence and that there is a lack of sincere effort to resolve underlying problems
Must ReadThe Tigray People Liberation Front TPLF Central Committee is holding a high-stakes meeting in Axum, sparking fears of a political rupture in Tigray. The meeting, which began on April 15, 2026, is expected to address the fallout from the extension of Interim Administration President Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede’s mandate. This issue has exposed a growing divide between the TPLF and the current regional leadership. Regional political leaders suggest the TPLF may seek to reject the interim administration and restore its pre-war government structure. Yosef Berhe, vice chairman of the Baytona Party, believes the TPLF aims to dismantle the interim arrangement and reinstate the previous regional government, potentially framing this as a grassroots demand. Alemseged Aragay, vice chairman and foreign relations head of the Tigray Independence Party TIP, warned that the situation is at a dangerous turning point, with the TPLF now openly rejecting the extension of President Tadesse’s tenure, despite previously aligning with his interests. The controversy follows an April 8 announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister extending Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede's term by another year. The TPLF stated this extension violates the Pretoria Agreement and lacks legitimacy. President Tadesse acknowledged the opposition, stating that while rejecting his appointment is a right, the rejection itself is "childish." He also revealed that the Tigray region's budget has been cut since Octob