Addis Ababa, July 7, 2025 (FMC) — The Ethiopian Diaspora Service has commended the vital and transformative role the Ethiopian diaspora continues to play in advancing key national development priorities, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Green Legacy Initiative.
Ambassador Fitsum Arega, Director General of the Ethiopian Diaspora Service, emphasized that the diaspora’s multifaceted engagement remains instrumental to the country’s progress.
He praised their contributions across a wide spectrum—from financial support and technical expertise to diplomatic advocacy and environmental stewardship.
Describing their support as “pivotal,” Ambassador Fitsum particularly highlighted the diaspora’s significant involvement in the GERD project. He noted that beyond raising substantial financial resources, diaspora professionals have provided critical input in specialized areas such as hydrology, dam engineering, and aquatic resource management. Their diplomatic efforts, he added, have also helped amplify Ethiopia’s voice in global platforms concerning the dam’s development and the broader Nile discourse.
According to the Director General, members of the diaspora have contributed millions of dollars to the GERD through bond purchases and voluntary donations. In just the past four months alone, they raised $1.7 million, underscoring their enduring commitment to Ethiopia’s development agenda.
Ambassador Fitsum further recognized the diaspora’s unwavering support for the Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The initiative has seen the planting of billions of trees across the country—including economically valuable species such as fruit-bearing and coffee trees—which contribute to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the growth of Ethiopia’s export economy.
He also outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen diaspora engagement by promoting investment, encouraging direct involvement through family and community linkages, and facilitating firsthand exposure to developments within the country. “Firsthand experience helps diaspora members become effective ambassadors for Ethiopia,” he noted, adding that holiday visits often lead to renewed involvement and business ventures.
Ambassador Fitsum reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, to pursue national objectives through peaceful and inclusive means. He underscored that Ethiopians abroad—many of whom possess high-level expertise in international relations, economics, education, diplomacy, and law—are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the country’s long-term goals.
“The government welcomes this collaboration,” he stated, “and believes that the diaspora’s intellectual capital will be a strategic asset when the time is right.”
Ambassador Fitsum concluded by emphasizing that the Ethiopian diaspora’s dynamism and dedication—across financial, technical, diplomatic, and environmental domains—are accelerating Ethiopia’s development and enhancing its standing on the global stage.