Addis Ababa, January 6, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers has approved and advanced a wide range of policy, legislative and regulatory measures during its 51st regular session, covering mining, housing, health financing, immigration services, cooperatives, aviation security, public service delivery, communications access and sports development.
During the session held today, the Council approved draft agreements on fertilizer production licensing and potash mining, authorizing the Ministry of Mines to sign and implement the deals. The agreements were presented as measures aimed at boosting foreign exchange earnings, creating employment, reducing fertilizer import costs and ensuring timely supply to farmers, while aligning with environmental protection and community benefit policies.
The Council also deliberated on a national housing policy, noting that housing supply continues to fall short of demand despite past efforts. Members agreed on the need for a comprehensive legal and policy framework to ensure sustainable, affordable and accessible housing for both urban and rural residents, and endorsed the policy to take effect following approval with incorporated inputs.
On health sector financing, the Council discussed a loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) to support Phase Two of the Medical Equipment Supply Project. The agreement, valued at 30 million US dollars, carries a 0.01 percent interest rate with a 40-year repayment period, including a five-year grace period. The Council resolved to submit the bill to the House of Peoples’ Representatives for further deliberation and final approval, in line with national debt management policy.
The Council further approved a regulation setting service fees for the Immigration and Citizenship Service, aimed at enabling the institution to recover the costs of delivering quality and reliable services. The regulation is set to take effect upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette.
Amendments to the Cooperatives Proclamation were also endorsed, with the Council agreeing to forward the revised bill to the House of Peoples’ Representatives to align cooperative governance with ongoing national reforms.
In the aviation sector, the Council approved a draft amendment to the Ethiopian Aviation Security Proclamation, citing the need to strengthen systems that safeguard air transport security, reliability and efficiency. The bill was referred to parliament for further consideration and endorsement.
The session also approved two regulations to be implemented upon publication in the Federal Negarit Gazette. The first establishes the Mesob One-Stop Service, aimed at improving access to government services by reducing time and cost for users, while the second defines the mandate, structure and functions of the Ethiopian Qualifications and Management Institute.
Additionally, the Council endorsed a regulation governing the amount, sources and administration of the Universal Access Fund for Communication Services, intended to support equitable access to communication services nationwide.
In the sports sector, the Council approved a revised national sports policy, addressing gaps in community participation, technology-based data systems, anti-doping measures and the role of sports in social development. The policy will take effect following approval with incorporated amendments.
Concluding its deliberations, the Council approved a draft proclamation on Federal Sports Development and Administration, aimed at establishing a modern, inclusive and participatory legal and administrative framework for managing the sector. The bill was forwarded to the House of Peoples’ Representatives with additional inputs.