Country overview
With a population of 112 million people, Ethiopia is the second-most populous nation in Africa and the fastest-growing economy in the region. Despite persistent efforts over the past half century or more by various governments to transform the country from an agriculture-based economy into a manufacturing hub, agriculture remains the most important sector, contributing to almost half of GDP, 83.9% of exports and 80% of total employment.
Food and nutrition security remain a core challenge, despite impressive economic advances. Some 29% of people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Weather-related drought remains one of the key causes of food insecurity, contributing to high rates of chronic malnutrition that cost the country 16.5% of GDP each year. Exacerbating this are rates of post-harvest food losses reported to range from 30 to 50%.
Broader economic losses attributable to land degradation associated with land use and cover change in Ethiopia are estimated to be in the order of $4.3 billion a year. Similarly, continuing high rates of deforestation and land degradation threaten the natural resources on which many Ethiopians depend.
Learn more about Ethiopia:
Read our global report or the Ethiopia country pages.
Download the FOLU Ethiopia Action Agenda: higher resolution/large file, lower resolution/small file (for easier downloading on mobile devices and slower connections).
FOLU in Ethiopia
FOLU in Ethiopia comprises a vibrant network of partners and experts working together to provide support to policymakers and other influential stakeholders at the national and local level. These include the Agricultural Transformation Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission, and the National Planning and Development Commission. The Coalition is also supported by a diverse and proactive group of ‘Goodwill Ambassadors’ – prominent figures who advance and champion the vision and objectives of the Coalition. To catalyze action, the Coalition partners have prepared an Action Agenda with broad stakeholder engagement including diverse development actors, government, private sector, and experts. The Action Agenda outlines a vision and proposes innovative actions on food and land use for incorporation into the country’s forthcoming 5- and 10-year plans. Finally, FOLU is also developing long-term pathways for sustainable food and land-use systems in Ethiopia through the work of the FABLE Consortium, led by FABLE member the Policy Studies Institute.
FABLE in Ethiopia
Participating institution: Policy Studies Institute (PSI)
Team members: Firew Bekele Woldeyes (PSI), Kiflu Gedefe Molla (PSI)
Publications: 2019 Report of the FABLE Consortium. Pathway for Ethiopia.