PM Abiy: Medemer thought is Ethiopia’s homegrown thought for systemic solutions

Addis Ababa, August 21, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has described Medemer as an indigenous Ethiopian philosophy that transcends interpersonal relations to provide systemic solutions for political, economic, and social challenges.

In an exclusive interview with Fana Media Corporation on his new book, The Medemer State, the Prime Minister explained that Medemer is not merely a moral or cultural expression but a structured framework designed to address complex national and global problems.

He emphasized that the philosophy is rooted in Ethiopia’s lived experiences, noting that while concepts such as South Africa’s Ubuntu or the Greek Golden Mean speak to aspects of human relations, Medemer goes further by offering a comprehensive political and economic framework. “It is a homegrown idea present in all Ethiopian societies, but what distinguishes us is that we have articulated it philosophically and applied it to state governance and economic organization,” he said.

Abiy underlined the central role of balancing cooperation and competition within Medemer. Human beings, he noted, are both competitive due to resource scarcity and cooperative by nature. “Life without cooperation is hopeless, but when cooperation dominates unchecked, it can foster complacency and reduce creativity. Conversely, when competition intensifies without balance, it leads to conflict and destruction,” he explained.

According to the Prime Minister, Medemer provides the framework for maintaining this equilibrium, ensuring that competition fuels innovation while cooperation sustains solidarity. He added that understanding the vision of The Medemer State requires clarity of thought, coherent action, and an active mindset.

He further stressed that Ethiopia stands out globally for articulating an indigenous philosophy that integrates government, society, and economy within a results-driven and process-based framework. “Beyond Ethiopia, no other country has defined in such detail the systemic relationship between governance and economic outcomes under a single indigenous concept,” he said.

With the publication of The Medemer State, Premier Abiy reaffirmed his conviction that Medemer is both a philosophical foundation and a practical blueprint for building resilience, unity, and sustainable progress in Ethiopia and beyond.