Addis Ababa, August 5, 2026 (FMC) — What began in 2019 as a national response to environmental degradation has grown into one of Ethiopia’s most ambitious development movements, extending beyond forest restoration to support food sovereignty, climate resilience and sustainable economic transformation.
Through the Green Legacy Initiative, Ethiopia has transformed tree planting into a nationwide movement that combines environmental restoration with broader development goals, including agricultural productivity, ecosystem protection and improved livelihoods.
Since its launch, Ethiopia has planted more than 54.5 billion tree seedlings, making the initiative one of the world’s largest nature-based restoration efforts. The country aims to increase this figure to 56 billion seedlings by the end of the 2026 planting campaign, maintaining the momentum of its long-term green development agenda.
The impact of the Green Legacy extends far beyond the number of seedlings planted. In just seven years, Ethiopia has increased its forest coverage from 17 percent to 23.6 percent, according to national figures, reflecting significant progress in restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening environmental sustainability.
Across the country, restored watersheds, rehabilitated lands and expanding green spaces are reshaping communities and supporting efforts to address the effects of climate change. The initiative has become a key pillar of Ethiopia’s climate resilience strategy, helping protect soil, conserve water resources and enhance the capacity of ecosystems to withstand environmental pressures.
The Green Legacy is also becoming increasingly connected with Ethiopia’s pursuit of food sovereignty. By improving land management, promoting agroforestry and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, the initiative contributes to stronger food production systems and more resilient rural livelihoods.
The country’s agricultural transformation efforts, including expanded irrigation development and progress toward wheat self-sufficiency, are reinforced by environmental restoration initiatives that protect the natural foundations of agricultural productivity.
The economic dimension of the Green Legacy is also gaining momentum. The expansion of fruit-bearing trees and agroforestry systems is creating opportunities linked to food security, local value chains and sustainable income generation. As forests mature, Ethiopia is also positioning itself to benefit from emerging global opportunities related to carbon markets and climate finance.
One of the initiative’s strongest features has been the participation of millions of Ethiopians in annual planting campaigns. The involvement of communities, youth and women has turned environmental restoration into a collective national effort and strengthened public ownership of the country’s green development vision.
On August 3, 2026, Ethiopia planted 805.3 million seedlings in a single day, demonstrating the scale of public mobilization behind the initiative and the country’s continued commitment to accelerating its green transformation.
Beyond restoring nature, the Green Legacy has become a platform for strengthening environmental awareness among younger generations. It promotes a culture of protecting natural resources while highlighting the connection between ecological sustainability, economic opportunity and national development.
The initiative is also contributing to Ethiopia’s global climate commitments by increasing carbon absorption capacity, protecting biodiversity and demonstrating the role of large-scale restoration efforts in addressing environmental challenges.
From forests and farms to livelihoods and future economic opportunities, the Green Legacy represents Ethiopia’s broader vision of sustainable development. It reflects a shift from environmental recovery toward a comprehensive green transformation agenda built on resilience, self-reliance and shared prosperity.
As millions of seedlings continue to take root across the country, Ethiopia’s Green Legacy is growing beyond the canopy — shaping a greener future and reinforcing the link between environmental stewardship and national transformation.