Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Addresses Ethiopia’s Economic Growth, Diplomacy, and Development Goals in Parliament
October 18, 2018
In a comprehensive speech to the House of People’s Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed outlined Ethiopia’s ongoing transformation, emphasizing a shift from an agriculture-dependent economy to a diversified and resilient growth model driven by the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.
The Prime Minister projected robust double-digit growth for the current fiscal year, highlighting Ethiopia’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. He credited multi-sectoral collaboration and active citizen participation, notably through the Green Legacy Initiative, which has mobilized over 25 million Ethiopians annually to plant more than 48 billion seedlings, as vital to sustainable development.
On regional diplomacy, Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed Ethiopia’s right to harness its natural resources, particularly emphasizing the significance of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a symbol of African prosperity. He called for continued cooperation among Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, asserting that any attempts to impede Ethiopia’s development are unjust and unacceptable.
The Prime Minister also addressed parliamentary inquiries on governance, infrastructure, and social cohesion, reiterating a vision of inclusive growth, environmental responsibility, and peaceful regional integration. His remarks positioned Ethiopia as a rising power on Africa’s developmental stage.
