Ethiopia Unveils Future Five-Year Vision

This aims to strengthen development ties with neighboring countries and achieve economic co-growth through large-scale projects, including natural gas and fertilizer plants, gold mine development, and expansion of renewable energy.

The Ethiopian government's main foreign policy principle is to gain economic benefits through peace with neighboring countries that share its borders.

It is raising its international standing through mediation efforts in the Sudan conflict and peace-keeping efforts in Somalia, and is also strengthening cooperation with international financial institutions.

To de-escalate conflicts in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia attempted diplomatic mediation to build peace with the governments of the conflicting parties.

Ethiopia made efforts for peace and stability in Somalia, including ending 20 years of armed conflict, making sacrifices for peace, and urging dialogue for peaceful resolution in regional conflict situations such as the Sudan conflict.

These projects drive GDP growth, establish economic networks within Africa, and attract external support through cooperation with global financial institutions.

Ethiopia's development projects are expanding its influence on the international stage through a 'business diplomacy' strategy.

These efforts have allowed Ethiopia to represent Africa's voice in the G20 alliance, which accounts for 85% of the global economy, and it has high potential to emerge as a future global investment destination through the development of fertilizers, natural gas, and nuclear energy.

Ethiopia has economic growth on its agenda and recognizes the need for resource development, emphasizing the importance of a 5000km coastline from Massawa on the Red Sea to Somalia.

However, it expressed concern about insufficient resource development, based on its own assessment, and external interference.

This is considered a crucial factor in determining the stage of national economic development.

It has strengthened the cyber defense capabilities of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the Information Network Security Agency (INSA), becoming a reliable shield to protect national sovereignty.

This served as an opportunity to diversify the economic structure, which previously relied on a single sector, and contributed to solidifying economic and food sovereignty.

With wheat production increasing from 4 million quintals to over 300 million quintals in eight years, Ethiopia has become a leading wheat producer in Africa.

By securing over 13 million hectares of farmland and involving over 10 million farmers in transitioning from traditional to technological farming, it achieved a historic shift from a wheat importer to an exporter.

Through the 'Ethiopia Tamert' movement, Ethiopia restarted 993 factories that had been suspended due to the difficulties of COVID-19 and foreign exchange shortages.

This expanded the domestic market share from 25% to 45%, saved 5.77 billion USD in foreign currency, and built digital infrastructure, including surpassing 90 million Ethio Telecom subscribers and issuing digital IDs (Fayda) to over 50 million people.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced seven mega-projects in Guba, including a fertilizer plant, oil refinery, large airport, nuclear power plant, and housing construction.

These are expected to be major drivers for accelerating Ethiopia's national development.

The Ethiopian government officially announced seven key projects, including a fertilizer plant, oil refinery, large airport, nuclear power plant, and housing construction.

These projects complete previously delayed initiatives, demonstrating national capabilities and confirming technological progress and a commitment to future development through the launch of Ethiopia's satellite.

In the education sector, efforts are being made to develop human resources by building 18,000 new schools and providing daily meals to over 6 million students.

Social infrastructure is being built through Corridor Development for urban environmental improvement, the introduction of digital health systems, and the expansion of maternal and child health services.

Ethiopia has now achieved food security, reaching a stage where it can support other nations beyond its own.

This is a result of extensively building pharmaceutical factories and investing heavily in technology, yielding tangible results and achieving industrial self-sufficiency.

The plan is to inherit and complement existing achievements to solidify political and economic foundations and lay the groundwork for realizing the future national vision.

Securing coastal access, modernizing industrial complexes, and advancing renewable energy are set as key tasks for the next government to strengthen international geopolitical and geo-economic influence.