Ethiopia Enters New Year With Focus on Delivery, National Dialogue and Mega Development Projects: GCS

Addis Ababa, September 18, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s new year marks more than a change in the calendar, with the country opening what the FDRE Government Communication Service (GCS) described as a new chapter shaped by national choices, consultation, resilience and development.

In a message shared Friday, the GCS said Ethiopia has recorded achievements over the past few years that had remained unattained for decades, attributing the progress to sustained efforts and a new culture of setting ambitious goals, starting projects and completing them.

The message highlighted the national dialogue process, saying Ethiopians from across the country have gathered to deliberate on the future of their country, reflect on national issues and freely present ideas they believe can contribute to the national interest.

It also pointed to government measures involving pardons and the release of political prisoners, describing them as steps taken alongside efforts to uphold the rule of law and promote reconciliation. The GCS said such measures are intended to help break cycles of retaliation and strengthen national consensus.

The message linked political and social stability with economic progress and public confidence, highlighting what it described as Ethiopia’s strong economic performance and the expansion of its productive capacity.

It cited the expansion of wheat production, particularly summer wheat, as evidence of Ethiopia’s progress toward greater self-reliance in food production. The GCS also highlighted the country’s large-scale tree-planting campaigns, saying Ethiopia has repeatedly surpassed its previous records and emerged as an example of international environmental cooperation.

The message further highlighted developments in renewable energy, mineral resources, tourism, conference tourism and urban development. It said new tourism destinations are being developed while Ethiopia’s existing cultural and historical heritage is being rehabilitated and preserved for future generations.

Digital transformation was also identified as a major area of focus, with the GCS saying Ethiopia is implementing the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy and laying the foundations for a more transparent and efficient government administration.

On foreign policy, the message said Ethiopia has strengthened its focus on national interests and has sought to assert the country’s interests more firmly on the international stage.

The GCS also highlighted institution building, saying efforts have been made to strengthen institutions in the justice, security and democratic sectors. It said the country is developing institutional capacity designed to support long-term national development and withstand changes in political systems.

The message emphasized the government’s stated approach of starting projects and seeing them through to completion. It cited the reopening of previously closed industries, the transition of loss-making institutions toward profitability, and progress in investment, exports and import-substituting production.

Looking ahead, the GCS highlighted major projects announced following the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), saying projects valued at more than 30 billion U.S. dollars have been announced in Guba as part of Ethiopia’s future development plans.

Among the projects highlighted is a nuclear facility, for which the GCS said a new agreement has been signed and work has begun as part of efforts to strengthen energy security. It also pointed to the development of Ethiopia’s natural-gas resources and gas-processing projects in the Somali Regional State.

The planned Bishoftu International Airport was highlighted as another major undertaking. The GCS said the airport is designed to accommodate 100 million passengers annually and will strengthen Ethiopia’s aviation capacity.

A fertilizer manufacturing project expected to save Ethiopia more than 1 billion U.S. dollars annually was also cited, with the GCS saying it is expected to support agricultural productivity and ease pressure on farmers.

The message further said work has begun, in cooperation with international institutions, on a program to develop 1.5 million homes, an initiative the GCS said will have a significant impact on the lives of many people.

The GCS said Ethiopia’s development journey will continue with consultation and collective effort, stressing that there remains substantial work ahead and that the country will continue pursuing its aspirations through both deliberation and implementation.

It concluded by underscoring the principle of turning commitments into completed action and fulfilling promises as part of the foundations being laid for future generations.