With the global urban population projected to reach 70% by 2050, experts are raising concerns about food security in cities, including Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. The city, heavily reliant on rural produce and imported industrial food, is grappling with significant challenges such as food waste, malnutrition, and rising health issues like obesity and chronic diseases.

Experts emphasize the need for stronger urban-rural linkages not just for food consumption but also for production. Charles Spillane, a professor at the Agriculture, Food System, and Bioeconomy Research Center at the University of Galway, stressed the importance of research-based policies to promote healthier lifestyles and ensure access to affordable, nutritious foods. “Balancing affordability, food availability, and healthy eating is a complex task,” Spillane noted. He called for a holistic approach that integrates sustainability with health and affordability.

Addis Ababa suffers from significant food waste due to inefficiencies in transportation and reliance on imported goods. Dr. Endale Amare, head of the Food Science and Nutrition Division at EPHI, highlighted the scale of the problem: “Imagine how many people we could feed if we could avoid this food waste.” He called for technological and creative solutions to address supply chain inefficiencies and reduce household food waste caused by insufficient awareness.

These challenges are being tackled through the EcoFood Systems workshops launched in Addis Ababa. Funded by the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project is led by the University of Galway in collaboration with EPHI. It aims to address urban malnutrition by focusing on neglected consumer groups and identifying priority areas for action.

The initiative also involves Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Rikolto, with support from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Institute. The project seeks to create evidence-based solutions for urban malnutrition while promoting sustainable food systems through policy reforms and capacity building for researchers.

Malnutrition remains a pressing issue in Addis Ababa, affecting children’s growth and cognitive development while contributing to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease among adults. These health crises not only harm individuals but also create long-term economic challenges for Ethiopia as a whole.

To combat these issues, Ethiopia is preparing to introduce new regulations targeting unhealthy foods. Dr. Endale highlighted inflation’s impact on food security, noting that only one-third of the global population can afford nutritious diets based on current market values. He encouraged consumers to adopt more sustainable eating habits by purchasing smaller portions of diverse foods rather than bulk quantities of single items.

Despite these challenges, Addis Ababa’s food system presents opportunities for economic growth and resilience. Expanding green spaces within urban areas can enhance climate change adaptability while fostering regional partnerships to reduce external food supply disruptions. Experts believe that addressing inefficiencies in the city’s food system could unlock its potential as a driver of sustainable development.

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has announced plans to introduce a modernized system for government treasury bills (T-bills), aiming to make these financial instruments more accessible to citizens and investors. This initiative is part of the central bank’s broader efforts to enhance transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness in Ethiopia’s financial markets.

The announcement was made during a ceremony where the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) granted licenses to five new capital market service companies. NBE Governor Mamo Mihretu emphasized that the new system will provide citizens and investors with an additional investment option while encouraging a culture of savings and contributing to economic growth.

“This system will create a transparent and efficient framework for T-bill transactions, making them accessible to the public and investors alike,” Mamo stated. He added that the reforms are aligned with international best practices and aim to strengthen Ethiopia’s financial system.

The modernization of the T-bill market is part of NBE’s ongoing monetary policy reforms, which include transitioning to an interest rate system, promoting open market operations, and revising policy standards. These measures are designed to stabilize inflation, improve financial inclusion, and deepen the financial market.

Since December 2019, financial institutions have been allowed to purchase treasury bills through auctions—a shift from the previous system where T-bills were exclusively controlled by social security agencies, state-owned banks, and other public institutions. The new framework seeks to democratize access to T-bills, enabling broader participation from private investors and citizens.

The reforms are expected to accelerate Ethiopia’s economic growth by creating new investment opportunities and fostering a competitive financial market. Treasury bills will serve as a secure investment tool for individuals while providing the government with an efficient mechanism for raising funds.

Mamo highlighted that these changes align with NBE’s strategic goals of enhancing financial stability, promoting savings culture, and improving transparency in Ethiopia’s financial sector.

While the modernization efforts promise significant benefits, experts note challenges such as ensuring widespread awareness of T-bill investment opportunities and addressing potential barriers for individual investors. However, the involvement of newly licensed capital market service companies is expected to facilitate smoother implementation of these reforms.

The Ethiopian Horticultural Producers Exporters Association (EHPEA) has urged the government to adopt a research-based approach to land acquisition to address critical challenges in the horticultural sector. The call was made during the 9th HortiFlora Expo 2025, held at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa from April 1–3, 2025.

The expo, a premier international horticulture trade fair, brought together industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders from across the globe to discuss opportunities and challenges in Ethiopia’s growing horticulture industry.

Speaking at the event, Tewdros Zewde, Executive Director of EHPEA, emphasized that land scarcity remains one of the biggest hurdles for investors in the sector. “There must be a research-based perspective to solve land problems,” Tewdros stated. He explained that identifying lands suitable for horticulture through research would streamline the process for investors and create a more favorable business environment.

In addition to land issues, EHPEA highlighted agro-logistics as another critical challenge. The lack of adequate warehouses and reefer containers equipped with refrigeration has significantly limited Ethiopia’s ability to export horticultural products efficiently. Tewdros cited a stark comparison: while Kenya exported 7,000 reefer containers through Maersk, only 40 containers were exported from Ethiopia during the same period.

The HortiFlora Expo 2025 spans over 10,000 square meters and features participants from various sectors, including logistics providers, input suppliers, buyers, and standard service providers. The event aims to showcase Ethiopia’s potential as a leading horticulture exporter while promoting sustainability and innovation in the industry.

Ethiopia ranks among the world’s top five flower exporters and has created over 200,000 direct jobs in the horticulture sector. The expo serves as a strategic platform to attract investment and strengthen international cooperation in this vital industry.

Industry experts believe that adopting EHPEA’s recommendation for research-based land acquisition could transform Ethiopia’s horticultural landscape. Such an approach would not only encourage investment but also boost foreign exchange earnings and enhance food security.

The Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics has been recognized by the Djibouti Transporters Association for its exceptional contributions and partnership in the logistics sector. The award was presented during a special recognition program held in Djibouti, attended by ambassadors and key industry stakeholders.

The association praised ESL for its remarkable collaboration over the years, highlighting its commitment to enhancing freight services, strengthening regional ties, and fostering mutual development. “This award reflects the respect and admiration we have for ESLSE’s outstanding capabilities and enduring friendship with Djibouti,” the association stated during the ceremony.

Dr. Beriso Amelo, CEO of ESL, emphasized the enterprise’s role in advancing logistics efficiency and economic growth. “Our work focuses on improving freight services, expanding revenue streams, strengthening partnerships, creating jobs, and ensuring the health and safety of our workforce,” he said. “These efforts align with Ethiopia’s broader goals of building a robust economy and fostering regional cooperation.”