Ethiopia reaffirms commitment to strengthening evaluation systems for sustainable dev’t

Addis Ababa, June 16, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia is committed to enhancing its national evaluation frameworks as part of its broader efforts to ensure effective development outcomes, Planning and Development Minister Ms. Fitsum Assefa affirmed today.

Speaking at the opening of the 25th Anniversary celebration of the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) in Addis Ababa, Dr. Fitsum emphasized that robust monitoring and evaluation systems are indispensable for tracking progress and informing timely, evidence-based decisions.

The milestone event was organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Evaluation Association, the Ministry of Planning and Development, and other key partners. It marks a quarter-century of AfrEA’s efforts to advance capacity building, knowledge exchange, and evidence-informed policymaking across the continent.

Dr. Fitsum highlighted that her ministry has made concrete progress in institutionalizing evaluation within Ethiopia’s national planning framework. One of the major achievements, she noted, is the development of a national evaluation framework designed to guide the design, implementation, and dissemination of evaluations.

“This anniversary is a moment of reflection and renewed commitment,” Fitsum said. “We view evaluation not merely as a technical tool but as a democratic imperative—one that amplifies citizens’ voices, ensures inclusivity, and enhances public service delivery.”

On behalf of the African Union Commission, Director of Strategic Planning and Delivery Botho Kebabonye Bayendi underlined the critical role of evaluation in achieving Africa’s development aspirations, particularly Agenda 2063.

“The fundamentals of an Africa-owned evaluation system should help us identify implementation challenges, validate what works in our context, redirect resources to high-impact areas, and ensure that no community is left behind,” she noted.

AfrEA President Miche Ouedraogo also called for evaluation systems that are led by Africans and supported by digital transformation. He underscored the need for evaluation to remain rooted in Africa’s unique development needs and realities.

Ethiopian Evaluation Association President Dereje Mamo echoed the call for greater commitment to advancing evaluation practices across the continent.

The anniversary event, according to ENA, brought together government officials, evaluation professionals, policymakers, and development experts to reflect on AfrEA’s legacy and its contributions to the growth of a culture of evaluation in Africa.

This year’s celebration is being held under the theme: “Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Africa-Rooted Evaluation: Building a Stronger Future Together.”