Ethiopia retained its Tier 2 status in the U.S. State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, even as criminal enforcement metrics deteriorated sharply over the past year. While the government expanded victim identification and enacted labor migration reforms, prosecutions and convictions fell to their lowest levels in recent reporting periods.

Federal authorities investigated 363 trafficking cases in 2025, down from 470 the previous year, with prosecutions dropping 40 percent to 417 individuals charged. Court convictions declined even more steeply, with judges sentencing 191 traffickers compared to 340 in the prior period, representing a 44 percent decrease. Legal observers attribute the downturn to systemic bottlenecks, including officials frequently conflating trafficking with migrant smuggling at regional levels and limited shelter capacity restricting victim-witness participation in trials. No victims received financial restitution through criminal sentences during the reporting period.

In contrast, victim screening efforts expanded significantly. Authorities identified 142,679 potential trafficking victims among repatriated citizens from the Middle East and neighboring African countries, more than double the 56,333 identified in 2024. Formal identification processes directly recognized 164 trafficking victims in forced labor and other exploitative situations.

The Ministry of Labor and Skills introduced Proclamation 1389/2025, activating the mandated Employment Board and reclassifying recruitment agencies into five tiers. Under the new framework, agencies must hold standby funds between 50 million and 250 million birr to cover victim assistance and repatriation costs, while medical examinations and vaccinations previously paid by workers are now borne by recruiters.

The report highlights evolving exploitation patterns, particularly the intersection of digital technology and trafficking. Transnational networks increasingly leverage fraudulent IT job advertisements and online platforms to target young job seekers, with Ethiopian men recruited through fake positions in Thailand and trafficked into forced labor within online scam operations across Southeast Asia. Domestic vulnerabilities remain acute, with an estimated two million internally displaced persons and over 1.1 million refugees facing heightened trafficking risks.

The government allocated approximately 19.9 million birr for anti-trafficking operations and shelter support, though civil society organizations continue advocating for greater resource allocation and decentralized protection infrastructure to counter entrenched trafficking networks effectively.

Domestically, severe economic pressures, high unemployment, and internal displacement left millions vulnerable. With an estimated two million internally displaced persons and over 1.1 million refugees residing within the country, displaced populations remain prime targets for predatory trafficking schemes. Additionally, credible sources noted that the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), alongside non-state armed groups including Fano forces, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), unlawfully recruited and used child soldiers in combat and support roles.

While the government allocated approximately 19.9 million Ethiopian birr for anti-trafficking operations, prevention initiatives, and shelter support, civil society stakeholders continue to advocate for increased resource allocation, decentralized protection infrastructure, and enhanced oversight to counter entrenched trafficking networks effectively.

Ethiopia has officially received the FIATA Talking Stick from Italy, marking the formal transfer of hosting responsibilities for the 101st FIATA World Congress, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027.

The symbolic transition took place during the closing ceremonies of the 2026 FIATA World Congress in Milan, which commemorated the centenary edition of the international organization.

Dawit Wubishet, President of the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), accepted the Talking Stick on behalf of the country. His leadership and coordination were central to securing the bid, facilitating international cooperation, and elevating the nation’s visibility within global trade networks.

As the upcoming host city, Addis Ababa prepares to welcome freight forwarders, logistics experts, government officials, and industry delegates from around the globe. The 2027 event is expected to function as a platform for stakeholders to examine Ethiopia’s evolving logistics framework, its geographic positioning as a gateway to Africa, and developments in regional trade connectivity.

Representatives from EFFSAA stated that the association will coordinate with key domestic transport and logistics entities—including the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ethiopian Maritime and Logistics (EMMa), Ethiopian Airlines, and Ethio-Djibouti Railways—alongside private sector partners to oversee the planning and execution of the congress.

The handover concludes the Milan summit and initiates a multi-year preparation cycle for Ethiopia as it takes over the responsibilities of hosting the international logistics organization’s flagship annual gathering.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has formed a new cabinet in which women account for 39% of the members, following his reappointment as prime minister earlier this week.

The House of Peoples’ Representatives approved the new cabinet after Abiy presented his ministerial nominees to Parliament.

The 23-member cabinet includes nine women and 22 federal ministers, in addition to Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh. The government said the appointments were made after assessing the nominees’ qualifications, professional experience and capacity to implement the government’s agenda.�
Several senior ministers have retained their portfolios, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Education, Revenue, Water and Energy, Health, Justice and Agriculture.

Among the new appointments is Frehiwot Tamiru, the former chief executive officer of Ethio Telecom, who has been appointed minister of Innovation and Technology.

The new cabinet is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and includes Gedion Timothewos as minister of Foreign Affairs, Addisu Arega as minister of Agriculture, Fitsum Assefa as minister of Finance and Mohammed Idris as minister of Defense.

Professor Berhanu Nega will continue as minister of Education, while Hana Arayaselassie has been appointed minister of Justice. Yasmin Wohabrebbi will serve as minister of Trade and Regional Integration, and Fisseha Yitagesu as minister of Industry.

Other members of the new cabinet include Habtamu Itefa, minister of Water and Energy; Dr Mekdes Daba, minister of Health; Awelu Abdi, minister of Labor and Skills; Aynalem Niguse, minister of Revenues; Bereket Fissehatsion, minister of National Strategy; Selamawit Kassa, minister of Culture and Tourism; Alemtsahay Paulos, minister of Mining; Sadat Nesha, minister of Logistics; Shewit Shanka, minister of Women and Social Affairs; and Musa Adem, minister of Peace.

The cabinet also includes Mohammed Abdurahman as minister of Urban and Infrastructure Development, Sultan Weli as minister of Irrigation and Lowlands, and Aklilu Tadesse as minister of Youth and Sports.
The formation of the new cabinet comes as Abiy begins another term as prime minister. His administration is expected to focus on the government’s economic, development and institutional reform agenda.

A new digital livestock genetics service has been launched in Ethiopia to help African countries make better breeding decisions and improve the productivity, resilience and sustainability of their livestock sectors.

The African Genetic Evaluation Service (AGENES) was launched on October 7 at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus in Addis Ababa.

Developed through a partnership between the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the service uses livestock performance data to generate estimated breeding values (EBVs), helping identify animals with desirable genetic characteristics.

Professor Mizech Chagunda, Director of CTLGH, said AGENES is designed to help address this gap by using individual animal performance data to determine an animal’s true breeding value and support the selection of better breeding animals.
“The real true good animal is in the genes. And obviously we don’t see the genes. So, this package helps us to see what’s happening in the genetics of that animal.”

He added that, farmers in many African countries often select animals based on appearance or other observable characteristics without knowing their actual genetic potential.

The AGENES platform converts livestock performance and other data into estimated breeding values, allowing farmers, breeders and national breeding programmes to make more informed decisions about which animals should produce the next generation.

Chagunda said improved genetic selection could increase milk, meat and egg production, ultimately raising farmers’ incomes and strengthening food security.
“We have a large population, a lot of numbers, but they are only producing very little. So, if we unlock that potential, then we will actually be earning a lot more from our livestock as Africa,” he said.

The initiative is also intended to support the conservation of indigenous livestock breeds. Chagunda said countries have their own policies for protecting indigenous animals and stressed that genetic improvement should not come at the expense of valuable local genetic resources.
“In all countries, indigenous animals should be protected. We lose a lot of genetic material because of indiscriminate breeding.”

AGENES is initially being implemented in collaboration with countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana, with the initiative aiming to expand its reach across Africa.

Tsigereda Fekadu, Advisor to the State Minister and Lead Executive for Livestock and Fishery Resources Development at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, said livestock is central to the livelihoods and economies of communities across Africa.

She said the sector contributes about 35 percent of agricultural GDP in sub-Saharan Africa and supports the livelihoods of roughly 70 percent of rural residents, providing food, income and financial security while also playing an important social and cultural role.

In Ethiopia, Fekadu said, livestock contributes about 4 percent of national GDP and nearly half of the country’s agricultural economy. Despite its importance and potential, however, productivity remains below the level needed to provide greater benefits to farmers and contribute more strongly to economic development.

She identified several challenges facing livestock improvement in Ethiopia, including the absence of clearly defined breeding strategies, limited recording of pedigree and animal-performance data, gaps in technical and human capacity, and inadequate livestock-management practices.

The launch brought together researchers, breeding specialists, government representatives and other stakeholders to explore how genetic evaluation and genomic technologies can be integrated into national livestock programmes.

The service is particularly aimed at supporting smallholder farmers through governments, breed societies and other organisations involved in livestock breeding and data collection.