Backed by FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, Ethiopia launches National Investment Forum in a bold step towards fostering sustainable agrifood systems development 

24.05.2024

In a significant move to transform its agricultural sector, the Government of Ethiopia has rolled out the National Food Systems Transformation and a 10-Year Prosperity Plan (2021-2030) alongside the Ten in Ten Program. Supported by various other development partners, these efforts are set to reshape the country´s agrifood landscape by focusing on key thematic areas of development.

As part of this transformative agenda and under FAO's Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative, Ethiopia seeks to enhance coordination and institutional capacities within the government to better target, promote and scale-up agrifood investments in the country in line with Government priorities. With FAO´s support and in a bid to attract potential investors, Ethiopia is gearing up to host a National Investment Forum that will take place in Addis Ababa from 14 to 16 August 2024.  

The event will bring together high-level representatives from government agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and international organizations to discuss HIH identified investment cases and explore potential alliances and investments. With a focus on reducing poverty and driving sustainable agrifood systems transformation in the country.

Ethiopia´s Ministry of Agriculture has previously presented their prioritized agrifood investment plans at the HIH Investment Forums in Rome in both 2022 and 2023. As a result, several private investors and the African Development Bank expressed interest in visiting the African nation to explore investment prospects firsthand with government officials, the investment commission, and other stakeholders. 

Besides showcasing key investment plans focused on organic fertilizer, animal feed, agriculture liming, mechanization, irrigation equipment manufacturing and livestock ranch development, the upcoming National Investment Forum will serve as a pivotal platform to engage stakeholders, facilitate policy dialogue and partnership building.  With a comprehensive program spanning two days, the event will feature presentations, discussions, roundtable sessions, and networking possibilities aimed at catalyzing investments and accelerating progress towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for local rural communities and agrifood system players.