Addis Ababa, June 30, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is stepping up efforts to explore carbon market opportunities as part of its broader drive to strengthen sustainable agricultural development, climate resilience, and rural transformation.
The focus emerged during the Second Agriculture Science Seminar Series, jointly organized by the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) Agriculture Working Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Held under the theme “Carbon Markets in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Governance, and Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Development,” the high-level forum brought together senior government officials, researchers, academics, development partners, private sector representatives, and practitioners to examine how Ethiopia can effectively participate in emerging global carbon markets while safeguarding national interests and ensuring benefits for local communities.
Opening the seminar, State Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Demography at the Ministry of Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonnen, said climate change continues to pose one of the country’s most pressing development challenges, affecting agricultural productivity, natural resources, and rural livelihoods.
He stressed the need to integrate climate action into Ethiopia’s development agenda, noting that the country’s diverse landscapes and agricultural systems present significant opportunities to advance climate mitigation and adaptation through sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, and climate-smart agriculture.
State Minister for Natural Resources Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Eyasu Elias, said carbon markets could serve as an innovative financing mechanism to support Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation by promoting sustainable farming practices, improving soil health, restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening climate resilience, and creating additional income opportunities for farming communities.
He also highlighted the Green Legacy Initiative as a key national platform supporting landscape restoration, ecosystem rehabilitation, decarbonization, and climate resilience, saying the initiative provides a strong foundation for expanding nature-based climate solutions and facilitating responsible engagement in carbon markets.
The seminar featured technical presentations on Ethiopia’s experience with carbon markets in the forestry sector, delivered by Dr. Motuma Tolera of the Ethiopian Forestry Development, as well as discussions on the country’s policy, legal, and institutional frameworks governing carbon markets presented by the Ministry of Planning and Development.
Participants also held an extensive plenary discussion focusing on carbon accounting, market preparedness, governance challenges, research priorities, and strategies for maximizing the contribution of carbon markets to sustainable development.
ATI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mandefro Nigussie emphasized the importance of evidence-based dialogue and stronger collaboration among government institutions, research organizations, development partners, and the private sector to advance Ethiopia’s climate and agricultural transformation agenda.
Closing the event, Ethiopian Academy of Sciences President Prof. Belay Kassa underscored the critical role of science, research, and innovation in guiding Ethiopia’s engagement with emerging climate finance mechanisms.
The seminar concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to strengthening research, policy coordination, institutional capacity, and knowledge sharing to ensure carbon markets effectively support sustainable agricultural development, climate resilience, and inclusive rural transformation in Ethiopia.
The quarterly Agriculture Science Seminar Series serves as a platform for promoting evidence-based dialogue on key agricultural and development issues through collaboration among ATI, the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences Agriculture Working Group, and the Ministry of Agriculture.