Addis Ababa, January 20, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is harnessing cutting-edge technology to guide large-scale environmental restoration, optimize land use, and enhance climate resilience, Prof. Eyasu Elias, State Minister for the Natural Resources Sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained in a recent exclusive interview with Fana Media Corporation.
The State Minister highlighted that the Ministry’s work combines digital tools, satellite imagery, and GIS mapping to analyze degraded landscapes and target interventions where they are most needed. “We are identifying severely degraded hotspots alongside bright spots where restoration yields quick, visible results,” Prof. Eyasu said. “This allows us to act efficiently and maximize the impact of every intervention.”
Central to this high-tech approach is the Intervention Prioritization Tool (IPT), developed in collaboration with the World Bank. It enables federal and regional teams to benchmark land conditions, delineate watersheds, and select 19 specialized restoration technologies tailored to local topography, farming systems, and socioeconomic realities.
The Ministry’s technology-driven strategy also extends to water resource management and irrigation planning. By mapping groundwater potential and monitoring rivers, springs, and shallow wells, officials can guide dry-season irrigation programs, enabling farmers to grow multiple crops per year and improve national food security.
The State Minister emphasized that private-sector actors are benefiting directly from these efforts. Bottled water companies, breweries, and lumber producers rely on improved water and timber resources without contributing to restoration costs.
To address this, Ethiopia is implementing a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) framework, recently approved by the Council of Ministers and pending parliamentary ratification. Once enacted, PES will allow companies to financially support ecosystem restoration, ensuring communities contributing labor are recognized and ecosystems remain sustainable.
Examples of collaboration are already in place. Eden Water in Gurage zones donated part of its sales to tree planting and environmental protection, while hydropower institutions, such as Ethiopian Electric, benefit from reduced siltation that preserves dam efficiency. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of restoration activities focus on the watershed of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), safeguarding the country’s largest hydropower project.
The State Minister also highlighted the potential for carbon financing, noting that Ethiopia has inventoried carbon pools in restored forests and community woodlots and is inviting bidders and communities to participate in carbon credit programs, linking local restoration efforts to global climate finance initiatives.
“While many large-scale restoration programs elsewhere have struggled, Ethiopia has mobilized its communities, resources, and technology to deliver tangible results,” Prof. Eyasu said. “Our methods and outcomes are being documented to provide a global example of effective, technology- and community-driven environmental management.”
Through this integrated, high-tech model, Ethiopia is enhancing landscape resilience, securing water resources, and supporting sustainable agricultural production, providing a replicable blueprint for climate adaptation and ecosystem management.