Addis Ababa, June 26, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian lawmakers, during a special session held today, approved major development financing agreements, as well as key food security and agricultural transformation bills aimed at strengthening economic reforms, climate resilience, and agricultural modernization.
The House of People’s Representatives unanimously ratified three financing agreements signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the International Development Association (IDA), totaling 637.5 million Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
The agreements include a 437.4 million SDR loan for the implementation of the Sustainable and Inclusive Growth and Development Policy, a 145.5 million SDR loan for the second phase of the Community-Based Land Management Program, and a 54.6 million SDR loan for the Climate-Resilient Irrigation Development for Sustainable Productivity Project.
Finance Minister Ahmed Shide stated that the financing arrangements are expected to support ongoing macroeconomic reforms, enhance export performance, and strengthen foreign exchange earnings.
He further noted that the programs will contribute to improving livelihoods, particularly among youth, women, farmers, and pastoralist communities, while advancing green economy objectives and modernizing irrigation systems.
Lawmakers also unanimously approved the Food and Nutrition (“From Farm to Table”) Bill, which establishes a comprehensive legal framework to enhance national food security, ensure access to safe and nutritious food, and address malnutrition among children and mothers.
The bill also promotes coordinated action across the entire food value chain to improve nutrition outcomes nationwide.
In addition, the House approved the Agribusiness Enterprise Establishment Bill, designed to modernize the agricultural sector by enabling producers to establish agribusiness enterprises, improve access to foreign exchange for agricultural inputs, and strengthen market participation.
The legislation also supports value addition, enhances smallholder farmers’ bargaining capacity, and promotes the transition toward medium-scale agricultural entrepreneurship.
The session concluded with unanimous approval of all loan agreements and legislative measures, marking a significant parliamentary decision focused on development financing, food security, and agricultural transformation.