agriculture

Energy, Agriculture and Manufacturing: Essential for Ethiopia’s Economic Future

Lawrence , , , , , , , , ,

Lawrence Freeman visiting Friendship Park in Addis Ababa on his first day in Ethiopia.

HORN REVIEW: IDEAS CONNECTIONS SYNERGY SIXTEENTH EDITION: Grand Narratives as Foundational Constructs of Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy

Lawrence Freeman is a distinguished researcher and analyst with over 30 years of experience specializing in the social, political, and economic dynamics of the African continent. Freeman has dedicated significant attention to Ethiopia, producing a wealth of insightful commentaries on the country’s evolving challenges and opportunities. Interview by Horn Review, was conducted during Mr. Freeman’s visit to Ethiopia (May 12-25, 2025)

“GERD, Agricultural Reforms and the Future of Regional Integration in the Horn of Africa”

Horn Review: Professor Freeman, welcome to our podcast. Great to have you here. Lawrence Freeman: Thank you very much.

Horn Review: From your perspective, how would you assess the trajectory of Ethiopia’s current agricultural reform agenda? Are the recent state-led initiatives showing signs of structural change? Lawrence Freeman: Yes, I would say that the progress being made by Ethiopia in agriculture is very significant. The government thinks they have already reached self-sufficiency on wheat in 2022/23, and they’re projecting they may be able to produce 30 million tons of wheat in 2025. Several things have taken place that have made it effective. One is they’re increasing the use of irrigation, which is necessary for modern farming. This has increased the number of hectares where they can grow crops. Second, Ethiopian farming was based on subsistence farming of one to two hectares, but now the concept is cluster farming, where groups of farmers come together, prepare the land, plant, plow, and use advanced machinery collectively. This collective strength has led to a huge increase in productivity and income per hectare, according to the agricultural department. These are some of the things Ethiopia is doing, and pretty much Ethiopia should no longer be importing any food from this point on. This is very important because Africa, for no good reason, was importing tens of billions of dollars of food across the continent, even though the land was perfectly capable and was self-sufficient in the 60s and 70s. Due to neoliberal economic policies, development stopped. Ethiopia is playing a very good role in promoting this kind of development. This has been one of the driving points of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. They have reduced levies on buying tractors and equipment and reduced taxes. The whole orientation of promoting agriculture is substantial and hopefully will continue.

Horn Review: How do you view the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a strategic asset for agricultural transformation in Ethiopia? Do you see it meaningfully supporting irrigation and mechanization in the short or long term?

The magnifiant Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, almost completed–May 2025

Lawrence Freeman: Since May 2025, almost everything has been completed; all 13 turbines and waterways have been constructed that bring water down to the turbines. They are now in the testing phase, with about six turbines operating and testing the remaining seven. The target for completion and inauguration is likely to be in September or earlier.

This is a huge plus for Ethiopia. The dam holds 74 billion cubic meters of water, which will essentially push water out to irrigate the entire area, as Ethiopia has numerous river systems. Although the water flow from the dam is not to be used for agriculture, but for hydroelectric power, the increase in water presence and moisture in the area will affect agriculture. Of course, there will be more electricity. The dam’s capability right now is about 2,600 megawatts, but it was reaching about 1,800 megawatts when I visited the GERD. Once you begin to utilize more of the 5,150 megawatts available, you start electrifying rural areas. When poor farmers in rural districts begin to have electricity, that changes everything. As you get more electricity to rural areas, you transform productivity, farming, and make every farmer and worker more productive.

Horn Review: Do you think the West recognizes the significance of Ethiopia building the largest hydroelectric dam on the continent? Lawrence Freeman: No, I don’t think there has been enough recognition by the West, certainly not by the United States or Europe. Ethiopia is building the largest hydroelectric dam on the continent and the 17th largest in the world. This is a real plus, which unfortunately the West ignores or doesn’t want to recognize at this point. Horn Review: What would you say is the effect of increasing energy production on Ethiopia’s food security and economy?

Lawrence Freeman: Electricity is the most important single ingredient to a successful economy. Infrastructure is essential. You need infrastructure that includes electricity, rail transportation, road transportation, and water management. All this creates the platform on which the entire physical economy rests. The denser and more advanced your infrastructure platform is, the more it raises productivity at all levels of the economy. For example, across Africa, 30 to 40% of food rots before it reaches the market; in Ethiopia, it’s about 30%. To correct that, you need infrastructure that gets food to market quickly, such as modern fast rail transportation and refrigerated cars to keep food from spoiling. This all requires electricity and roads. There’s no way to become an industrialized economy and lift all people out of poverty without infrastructure, and electricity is the key to infrastructure. With the completion of the dam and the addition of 5,150 megawatts, Ethiopia will become the second-largest electricity producer in sub-Saharan Africa, only behind South Africa, which has a nuclear power plant. That is significant, but not enough for 130 million people. Every part of society must be connected to electricity to achieve real independent sovereignty of development and reach its potential.

Lawrence Freeman looking at the GERD reservoir that holds 74 billion cubic meters of water

Horn Review: How might the electricity generated by the dam reshape rural economies and agribusiness within Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa region?

Lawrence Freeman: Ethiopia has already begun regional economic integration because electricity is now being exported to Djibouti, North Sudan, and Kenya. Before the end of the year, there will be transmission to Tanzania. Electricity from the dam is transported to Ethiopia’s grid and then through power lines to neighboring countries. Djibouti and Kenya want to increase imports of electicity. Ethiopia is already practicing regional integration with the African Free Trade Area. Ethiopia’s agricultural model, successful over five years, is something other countries should emulate. Development is the key to peace, security, raising living standards, and creativity. I have been coming here for 11 years and have seen impressive progress.

Horn Review: How do you assess the regional implications of Ethiopia’s agricultural and energy policies for neighboring countries such as Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti, especially in the context of transboundary water and food systems?

Lawrence Freeman: Water is a big issue in Africa. People think there’s always a danger of water wars, but there is a lot of water in Africa; the problem is it’s not always in the right place. We have to build appropriate canals and waterways to take water from where it is to where it’s needed. I saw this on some farms, where people are building waterways to bring water to crop areas. The Nile is the longest river in the world, but not the most voluminous. Ten countries in the Nile basin all use Nile water, which will not last forever. My view is we must move toward rapid nuclear-powered desalination to take salt out of Mediterranean seawater and build the equivalent of a second Nile. The idea of competition over the Nile is not the right way to look at it; it’s about development. Egyptians have adopted a British imperialist policy because Queen Victoria gave it to them in 1903; it’s their river. This is artificial. The first agreement was in 1929 between the British Sudan and Egypt, both under British control, which is British imperialism. The second agreement in 1959 was between Egypt and Sudan, no longer under British control, but with the same division of water. Ethiopia wasn’t at either conference. The water from the Blue Nile is not part of any agreement, but the colonial view is that they must have guarantees on the water from the Blue Nile. The dam has three mechanisms to maintain a continuous flow of water downstream, so downstream countries get a more regulated and concentrated flow from the reservoir.

Five of the thirteen waterways of the GERD that direct water from the reservoir to drive the turbines

Sudan is intimidated by Egypt, but it should align with Ethiopia they benefit from it. Egypt should give up this colonialist mentality. They never saw the Blue Nile basin as a development but as a water tank to be used in droughts to help Egyptian farmers. There is huge potential in the Blue Nile basin; three additional hydroelectric plants can be built. None would be as large as the GERD, but would add electricity. We are at the beginning of the process. The idea is to think in terms of development and countries working together for the development of the nations of the Nile. It’s a fate accompli; nothing can stop the dam, but a more enlightened mentality is needed.

This also relates to port access to the Red Sea, another important waterway. The 1993 agreement, after Eritrea separated, left the port of Assab, a natural port for Ethiopia, in southern Eritrea, but it’s not used. Eritreans can’t see the benefit of working with Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s economy is the biggest and fastest-growing in East Africa. Developing that port would bring revenue, commerce, trade, and millions of tons of freight. But antagonisms and shortsightedness prevent progress.

From a physical economist’s standpoint, a good leader must think 20 to 40 years ahead for future generations. It’s natural that an agreement on Assab would be worked out to fight poverty and hunger in the region. People don’t think this way. Hopefully, there will be a peaceful resolution for additional port access because Djibouti charges a lot for access. These are issues to be dealt with by thoughtful leaders for the benefit of their people to raise living standards. Once material standards rise and people live dignified lives, they can focus on developing creative minds. But you can’t get there without material existence.

Horn Review: In light of this, do you see viable frameworks for cooperation around the dam that could support regional food security and climate resilience, or are geopolitical tensions likely to overshadow such efforts?

Horn of Africa, which has huge potential for development (courtesy of hiiraan.com)

Lawrence Freeman: Much of what happens here is shaped by history. Ethiopia is the only country not conquered. I recently saw the museum that Prime Minister Abiy built, celebrating Adwa. My suggestion is that whatever day they inaugurate the dam, they add it as a national holiday, GERD Day, because it can unify the country. Unfortunately, there is a history involving British colonialism, Somalia, Italian colonialism, and Eritrea, which in various ways were manipulated. Somalia, and Somaliland were independent for about five or six days before forming the nation. Somaliland has been functioning almost independently for 30 years or more. This colonial legacy and antagonism prevent regional economic development.

Ethiopia, like all African countries, uses a tiny fraction of its arable land. There is potential for land and actual use of arable land, and an even tinier fraction is irrigated. Ethiopia has just started irrigation, which is excellent. This concept can be used in all African countries. One of my missions is to end poverty and hunger in Africa. Many still live in poverty with very low income per capita. This must change. You can’t do that unless you produce more wealth and put more people to work. The transformation plan and home-grown economic reform of the Prime Minister emphasize manufacturing.

Africa has been prevented from producing real manufacturing industries. Less than 3% of total manufactured goods in the world come from Africa. Ethiopia is working on light industry, leather, and adding value to agricultural products like coffee, the biggest export. Building up manufacturing, next to infrastructure, is an essential part of an economy.

The fundamental issue is that the constitution has to be changed. Everyone knows that, but you need a robust, maybe contentious, discussion, debate, and dialogue with the people of Ethiopia. You have to attack the notion of national ethnic identity, not ethnic culture, but ethnic identity. What must be reinforced is that Ethiopia is a nation-state and its people are citizens of a nation-state, not members of a national ethnicity. Ethnic nationalism is the enemy and is deeply ingrained. There is no congruence between ethnic nationalism and citizenship. People should not give up their rich history, but must see themselves as members of a nation.

Lawrence Freeman, studying the victorious Battle of Adwa that helped shape the identity of Ethiopia

Horn Review: That’s a profound idea. How should international partners engage with Ethiopia’s dual push for food self-sufficiency and energy leadership, given the sensitivity surrounding the dam and regional politics?

Lawrence Freeman: The international community doesn’t understand economic development or Ethiopia. There are many NGOs and international organizations, some being dismantled by the US, but they don’t focus on questions that would change society. If you want to improve life, bring democracy, and good governance, you must put electricity at the top of the list. Without electricity, people don’t develop. Good governance over poverty is meaningless. The West must change its thinking. Look at why Western leaders haven’t complimented Ethiopia on the GERD, the largest hydroelectric dam built without money from World Bank or IMF. Why haven’t presidents visited the GERD? The West is ideologically deficient and prejudiced against development, so they’re not good partners now. This will change because China is outproducing the US in many economic sectors, and the US is contracting its manufacturing base.

The West’s ideology is collapsing, and China and BRICS are growing. Ethiopia is one of three African countries in BRICS. The Global South is forming new political and economic relations based on a new paradigm of development and growth. Hopefully, enlightened leaders in Africa, Latin America, and others will recognize that the world is no longer fixed in a hierarchy. The West must change and recognize that Africa needs long-term, low-interest credit for infrastructure to build hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. Infrastructure itself may not make money, but it raises the economy’s profitability. We should unite with China to help African nations build infrastructure to eliminate poverty and hunger. The West should work with Africa in critical transformational areas.

Garment factory in Ethiopia. Many tens of thousands of Ethiopians employed in the garment industry

Horn Review: From a regional integration perspective, what role could Ethiopia’s emerging industrial base, especially agro-processing and light manufacturing, play in reshaping trade and economic interdependence in Africa?

Lawrence Freeman: Ethiopia’s major export is coffee, which can have added value. Ethiopia is self-sufficient in wheat and can start exporting wheat for foreign exchange. Africa wastes foreign exchange on buying agricultural products and importing food. Ethiopia is close to eliminating this system. Ethiopia has 165 million livestock, the largest in Africa, which supports the leather industry. Ethiopia plans to build steel plants. Ethiopia needs national industries like steel, aluminum, and cement to avoid buying from other countries on their terms.

The West controls the terms of trade. Producing your own goods increases revenue. Tourism is important, but service and tourism make up 40% of GDP, which is not ideal because service and tourism bring revenue but not wealth. Manufacturing, agriculture, and mining should be emphasized. Gold is a big revenue source now. Ethiopia should focus on industry. Ethiopia’s leaders understand this. I’ve worked with many African countries that don’t grasp this economic concept. Ethiopia understands this. There are problems, but progress exists. Maybe it’s not fast enough or comprehensive, but it’s a basis for optimism.

Use of mechanized agriculture improves productivity for Ethiopia’s farmers

Horn Review: Ethiopia is also investing heavily in urban infrastructure and industrial parks. How do you assess the role of urban development in facilitating structural transformation, labor mobility, and regional economic competitiveness?

Lawrence Freeman: I toured Addis Ababa with the mayor’s office and have watched the city change since 2014. It’s almost unrecognizable. Policies include clearing polluted rivers, new walkways, and tree planting. Trees are the best way to improve the environment. Trees are important because they absorb CO2 and produce oxygen. Photosynthesis changes climate through transpiration how much water comes up and down. To change deserts; plant trees. Ethiopia has planted 40 billion seedlings, with 10 billion more to go, which is very positive. People displaced from less developed areas along waterways have not been thrown out but resettled with housing, food, and small manufacturing plots like bakeries. This is positive.

The changes in Addis Ababa, farming, and manufacturing are slow but in the right direction. Ethiopia has 130 million people to employ, which is hard, but this is the direction. There are detractors of Prime Minister Abiy, but I follow his policies carefully. I don’t analyze every political nuance but look at substantial results, which are palatable. This should be encouraged and supported. Criticisms are fine if made in good faith to move the country forward. If you want to criticize, propose better policies. Otherwise, keep quiet and let economic development proceed.

Horn Review: Professor Freeman, we’ve had a very insightful discussion. You have enlightened us, and thank you once again for coming on our podcast. Lawrence Freeman: My pleasure. Happy to do it. (all emphasis added)

Read thye current issue of Horn Review below. My interview begins on page 8.

Horn Review-16th EditionDownload

­͏Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lkfreemansafrica 

End Food Dependency in Africa! Progress In Ethiopia Agriculture

Lawrence , , , , , , , ,

July 14, 2025

African nations have been plagued in the decades following successful liberation from colonialism, by having to spend billions of dollars to import food to feed their people. In recent years Africa nations have imported over $40 billion of food annually. A criminal waste of their precious foreign exchange. There is no objective reason today that African nations cannot produce enough food to feed their people.

Many African nations had achieved or were approaching food self-sufficiency; the ability to grow enough food to feed their population, in the 1960s and 1970s. Due to neo-liberal economic policies of the West, such as the ill-fated Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs), along with unfair terms of trade, African nations became poorer, and less able to feed their own people, even though they possess plentiful water and abundant fertile soil.

Ethiopia, along with other nations on the African continent is making important strides to reverse this destructive decades long practice. With all the challenges Ethiopia is facing, it has demonstrated a real commitment to upgrade its agricultural sector and end the importation of food. This became obvious to me, during my two weeks visit to Ethiopia (May 12 -25), when I was able to meet with Minister of Agriculture, Dr Girma Amente Nono, and visited several farms in Oromia region, North Shewa Zone, Kimbibit area.

Food insecurity, along with the absence of electricity, and shortage of manufacturing jobs, is the primary causes of instability in African nations. Ethiopia’s determination to end food dependency is not only important for its own people but could provide an exemplar for other nations.

Ethiopia already achieved self-sufficiency in wheat in 2023. It expects to produce thirty million metric tons (mt) of wheat in 2025, and be able to sell wheat to the market, garnering precious foreign exchange. The government is also working on boosting rice production with the expectation that like wheat, Ethiopia will be self-sufficient in rice.

Ethiopia ends heat imports in 2023

Agriculture is responsible for 32% of Ethiopia’s total GDP, over 65% of its  population depends on farming for their existence. Its agriculture sector is responsible for 79.46% of Ethiopia’s exports. Unfortunately , like many underdeveloped nations in Africa, due to lack of storage and a paucity of infrastructure, 30-40% of some grains like teff, sorghum, and maze rot before they are consumed.

Subsistence farms of 1- 2 hectares comprise 95% of the nation’s agriculture production. Ethiopia has transformed this small scale inefficient farming through the innovation of “cluster farms.” 

There are essentially four elements of Ethiopia’s policy to produce more food for its citizens and become self-sufficient: enlarging the hectares of land under cultivation, increasing the application of irrigation, expanding cluster farming, and intensifying mechanization.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be officially inaugurated in September

Overview of Ethiopia

With 130 million people, Ethiopia has the second largest population in Africa and is the most populated landlocked nation on the continent.

Land area is 1.3 million kilometers square (kms) or 113 hectares. The estimated potential cultivatable land is seventy-four million hectares. Presently thirty million hectares are under cultivation, with the utilization of irrigation, a total of forty million hectares could be cultivated. Ethiopia is not lacking water with its twelve major river basins.

Ethiopia has the largest livestock in Africa with over seventy million head of cattle and over ninety-five million sheep, and goats.

Ethiopia has the third largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, the largest economy in East Africa, and is considered to have one of the fastest growing economies on the continent. With the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Ethiopia will have the capacity to generate 9,630 megawatts of electricity, second to South Africa among the sub-Saharan nations, and the sixth largest generation of electricity on the continent.

Below are some highlights of Ethiopia’s progress in the agricultural sector, which is projected to grow 6.% in the next fiscal year.

Ethiopian coffee earned $2.65 billion in fiscal year 2024/25

Coffee Still #1

Ethiopia is the historic home of coffee and the number three exporter in the world. It is Ethiopia’s number one export. In 2024/5 fiscal year, Ethiopia exported 469,000 mt) for $2.65 billion, and coffee was 70% of Ethiopia’s agricultural exports.

Under the direction of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, more than two billion coffee seedlings are to be planted in 2025, as part of the country’s Green-Legacy Initiative. Ethiopians have already planted forty billion trees, a sizable portion of their goal of planting fifty billion seedlings across the nation by then of 2026.

Author examining wheat field with Dr. Legese, Min for Gov’t Communications, (left) and Dr. Birhanu, Former State Min Irrigation Development,(right)

Irrigation Drives Wheat Production

Wheat production is the flagship success story for Ethiopia, which can be emulated by other nations.

Ethiopia used to spend 1.0 billion USD importing wheat. In 2020, Ethiopia launched their five year self-sufficiency wheat initiative. At that time, they produced five million tons of wheat on 1.75 million hectares at a yield of 2.7 mt per hectare, only rain nurtured. Irrigation was the game-changer.

In 2024, Ethiopia planted wheat on 3.6 million hectares, watered by the two rainy seasons, and an additional 3 million hectares utilizing irrigation, for a total of 6.6 million hectares for growing wheat. This yielded a total of twenty-three million mt of wheat. In 2024-2025, wheat production yielded 3.6 mt per hectare, only slightly below the world average for irrigated wheat at 3.8 mt per hectare, relying primarily on oxen to plow their fields. To encourage mechanization the government lifted taxes on all items deployed in farming, for five years.

Dr. Birhanu releasing water to irrigate wheat

According to figures from the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, wheat production has steadily risen over the last six years. It appears that Ethiopia is on target to reach its goal of thirty mt of wheat in 2025 by increasing the area under wheat to 7.7 million hectares in both seasons. Ethiopia ceased importing wheat in 2023. As a result. Ethiopia’s development partners have started buying Ethiopia’s surplus wheat, and more wheat is expected to e sold on the international markets this year, as wheat production is increased.

This level of progress is essential for a nation to develop. As of 2023, Ethiopia was the ninth largest wheat producer of wheat in the world. Not surprisingly, Ethiopia is the top wheat producer in Africa, almost three times the size of Egypt, the next largest producer of wheat on the continent.

Ethiopia is still functioning at modest yields per hectare, ranking forty-sixth on world in productivity. With improvements in yield per hectare, Ethiopia will be able to reach new record levels of wheat production in the years ahead. Attaining food sovereignty is a critical element for Ethiopia to achieve higher levels of economic growth and raising the living standards of its people.

Mechanization of wheat harvesting improves productivity

Cluster Farming

The innovation of cluster farming has dramatically changed the landscape of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, which is primarily composed of subsistence farmers. Cluster farming can involve as many as two thousand farmers and up to twenty thousand hectares. By combining their farms and working together, subsistence farmers can produce one crop more economically through their collaboration. Collectively they prepare the land, seed it, plough it, and harvest it. This has allowed more efficient application of mechanization, because with a larger area of land being cultivated, the farmers can pool their resources to rent agricultural machinery. There are fifteen million former subsistence farmers participating in farming 11.8 million hectares. Cluster farming has increased productivity by 29%, profitability by 16%, and comprises 70% of wheat production.

Cluster farming and expansion of irrigation have been transformative in Ethiopia’s wheat production.

Wonji Shoa Sugar Factory

During my visit to Ethiopia I had the pleasure of visiting the Wonji Shoa Sugar Factory in the Oromiya region, near the city of Adama. The Wonji is the oldest sugar factory in Ethiopia, beginning production of sugar in 1954. The Shoa Sugar factory, the second oldest, began production eight years later in 1962. Both were shut down and redesigned in 2013, and in July 2014, reopened as the consolidated Wonji Shoa Sugar factory, which is still refining sugar cane today.

The Wonji Shoa Sugar Factory in Ethiopia has a daily crushing capacity of 6,250 tons of sugarcane, producing around 174,946 tons of crushed sugar. The factory has plans to further expand its capacity, potentially reaching a crushing capacity of 12,500 mt of cane per day and producing 220,700 mt of sugar annually. The Wonji Shoa Sugar Factory comprises 16,000 hectares, with 7,000 hectares owned by out-grower farmer associations, and 9,000 hectares owned by the Ethiopian Industry Sugar Group (ESIG). The factory also provides essential social infrastructure like schools, health stations, and potable water centers.

Woji Shoa uses several above ground center pivot irrigation systems, which rotate in a circular motion around a fixed point, sprinkling a swath of crops with water as it moves. It is identical to the systems irrigating America’s farmland.

Author on top of center pivot sprinkler for irrigation

Woji Shoa also generates thirty-one MW of electricity from bagasse (a byproduct of sugarcane processing) consuming eleven MW for self-sufficiency. 

The Wonji Shoa Sugar plant is in the Awash River Basin. The Awash River uniquely remains completely inside Ethiopia. This 1,200 kms river is responsible for the Awash Valley Basin. Emperor Haile Selassie in 1962, recognizing the potential of the Awash Valley for agricultural and industrial development, designed a public autonomous authority, the Awash Valley Authority (AVA). Probably, with the success of U.S. President Roosevelt’s Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in mind, the emperor gave the AVA the responsibility of administering and legally overseeing all projects within the Awash Valley.

The AVA was the first river basin organization in Ethiopia to be given such comprehensive authority for planning and development of water and other resources. As part of this government led project, like Roosevelt’s TVA, the AVA built schools and a hospital for the people working there. Ethiopia currently has eight operating sugar refineries and an additional five in various stages of operation. Ethiopia’s production of sugar peaked in 2017 to 450,000 mt of crushed sugar. In subsequent years production declined to less than 400,000 mt, and is projected to produce 360,000 mt for 2024-2025. However, domestic demand for sugar is approximately 650,000 mt. The ESIG has plans to increase sugar production to 1.3 million mt in the next five years, which would allow Ethiopia to become self-sufficient in sugar, and produce a surplus for export.

Similar to the progress in wheat production, Ethiopia’s application of large-scale irrigation is expected to increase productivity.

­͏Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lkfreemansafrica  

Ethiopia Has A Commitment To Build Up Its Manufacturing Base

Lawrence , , , , , , , ,

Government providing support for rapid transition from agriculture to manufacturing

(I visited Ethiopia from May 12 to May 25, and examined important aspects of Ethiopia’s economy)

Printed by THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2025, BY ABEBE WOLDEGIORGIS

Ethiopia is an agrarian economy where agriculture plays a dominant role. The sector is subsistence, vulnerable to the extreme climate conditions, utilizes less inputs that results less output and experience little irrigation practices.

Even if agricultural inputs are utilized to enhance production and productivity, due to the fragmented nature of the land modernizing the sector should still go a long way ahead.

The history of the emerging economies and the industrially advanced countries tells us that they attain structural change and transformation through reducing the role of the primary economic activities, which is agriculture in the economy, and promoting the secondary and tertiary economic activities, which are industry and service sector.

This approach helped them to change the economy from lower production in to an advanced one. In our context, economists have reached consensus that manufacturing plays crucial role to change agriculture led economy in to industrial one.

The sector plays vital role in creating job opportunities to thousands, links with the agriculture sector through utilizing products as inputs, attracts both foreign and local investment, boost export, substitute imports and paves the way for the emerging of private sector led self-sustained economy based on innovation and creativity.

Recently, State Minister of Industry, Tarekegn Bululta underscored that significant reforms have been implemented aimed at stimulating the manufacturing sector. These reforms include macroeconomic adjustments and policies focused on import substitution and export growth, the state minister said.

The manufacturing is one of the critical sectors that will determine the future prosperity of Ethiopia. The sector is currently undergoing massive reforms. The government has already introduced new sound policies and procedures and the sector has witnessed a transformation.

He further said that, the reformist leadership of the country has placed a strong emphasis on the industrial sector and is diligently striving to enhance the sector’s competitiveness while fostering a more conducive environment for manufacturers and significant results have been achieved over the last three years.

A renowned American Political-Economic analyst for Africa Lawrence Freeman on his part told local media that Ethiopia has been building up its manufacturing sector while currently registering remarkable progresses in this sphere of the economy.

The American Analyst who visited textile garment factories, steel complexes, sugar factories and other manufacturing sites, said Ethiopia is clearly making progress in the sector.

He also said that the government is committed to industrialize the nation and various measures have been taken. Among others, constructing infrastructures such as industry parks, providing working places to investors with fair price, supplying energy and piped water to industry sites, providing banking services, introducing new laws to ease bureaucratic hurdles in public offices and adjusting exchange rates can be mentioned.

The new homegrown economic reform program for Ethiopia essentially makes the growth of the manufacturing sector one of its top priorities and is now delivering tangible outcomes.

“I think this shows that Ethiopia has a commitment to build up its manufacturing base, which is essential for any economy to truly function and this is very weak throughout Africa. But Ethiopia is clearly trying to make progress in this area,” Freeman said.

The analyst added that he has observed an increase in the number of people employed in Ethiopia’ manufacturing sector over the past few years.

The sector plays crucial role in creating employment to the youth

He emphasized that producing tangible products is essential for economic expansion, stating that this is the direction Ethiopia is currently pursuing and should continue to pursue more vigorously.

This is how the United States was built by emphasis on manufacturing. It is not replaceable by any other sector of the economy. “So I’m very pleased and also to see the optimism that I’ve seen in all the factories that I’ve been at today” he underscored.

There is a real optimism and enthusiasm growing in Ethiopia, and that, along with other accomplishments such as the GERD, Ethiopia is making progress, and that makes me happy to see Ethiopia make progress.

He underlined that the expansion of manufacturing needs reliable energy supply and in this regard the accomplishment of GERD and other electric power dams will bring a dramatic change in the nation’s energy landscape.

As to him, in many developing countries particularly in Africa, the manufacturing sector is not reached to the full-fledged level because of power outage and interruption which again affects the production volume. Currently most industries in Africa produce below their average capacity due to power outage.

Hence, Ethiopia should draw lesson from other countries challenges and should give due attention to mitigate power interruption.

Freeman argues that because of the colonial and neo colonial policy, Africa has a very tiny manufacturing sector in the Sub-Saharan base, and the contribution of manufactured goods in global trade by African nations is very small.

For him, Ethiopia has a lot of light manufacturing by far, such as a textile industry. He acknowledged that textile and garment industry is labor intensive and can create job opportunities to tens of thousands. It utilizes local raw materials as inputs and can create market to the agriculture sector and boost export playing vital role in garnering hard currency which is badly needed by the nation.

He also said that Ethiopia is the most populous country in Africa with more than 120 million and out of it 70 percent is below the age of 30 and this implies how the nation has prudent labor potential which have the capacity to mitigate poverty and the expansion of manufacturing can absorb this excess labor force.

Having confidence that manufacturing is the most important sector to achieve prosperity, Freeman urged Ethiopia to further accelerate its transition in this regard.

The State Minister of Industry also said that, following the new policy reform introduced in the manufacturing sector, the production capacity of industries in Ethiopia has now jumped from 46 percent to 61.2 percent.

Acknowledging the current contribution of the sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at less than 6.8 percent, the state minister pointed out that concerted efforts are being exerted to boost this to 17.2 percent.

He noted that the manufacturing sector has achieved a significant milestone in its import substitution strategy, generating goods valued at 3.1 billion USD during the first nine months of this fiscal year.

According to the World Bank manufacturing can help provide quality jobs for 2 million plus youth who enter the labor market every year.

The manufacturing sector is nascent and represents only 6 percent of GDP and contributes 5 percent of total employment in 2023 compared to 6.8 percent of GDP in 2022. While it is true that the Ethiopian manufacturing sector has enjoyed steady growth over the last decade it accounted for less than seven percent of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, and continues to face a host of challenges.

The main characteristics of the manufacturing sector inherited from the past included: a predominance of foreign ownership and foreign managerial, professional, and technical staffing; great emphasis on light industries; inward orientation and relatively high tariffs; capital-intensiveness; underutilized capacity.

In terms of regional distribution, 39.9 percent of the MSEs were located in Oromia followed by Amhara (34.5 percent), SNNPR (7.2 percent), Addis Ababa (6.7 percent), Sidama (6.5 percent) and Somali (3 percent) regional states.

In the history of global development, industrialization is considered as the most important role player. For this reason scholars and ordinary persons use development and industrialization interchangeably. This idea emanated from the world experience in that all advanced nations had achieved their development goals through industrialization. Consequently, most developing countries view it as their chief development strategy.

Read below my earlier posts:

Ethiopia Prioritizes Growth in Manufacturing

With Manufacturing, Modern Farming & Energy From GERD, Ethiopia Can Be A Leading Economy in Africa: Interview

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved ineconomic development policies for Africa for 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lkfreemansafrica

Ethiopia Access to Seaports Benefits All People of East Africa

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Potential Ports for Expanded Ethiopian Trade

November 4, 2023

In his new article, Ethiopia needs a reliable seaport and a navy, Ken Opalo provide a great deal of useful information on the necessity for Ethiopia to have access to a sea port to continue its progress towards of industrializing its economy. It is imperative for all the nations in the Horn and East Africa to understand, it is in their self interest for Ethiopia, East Africa’s largest and fastest growing economy, to have access to a reliable port. A prosperous Ethiopia benefits the African continent.

Excerpts below from Ethiopia needs a reliable seaport and a navy

Ethiopia’s economic case for reliable and cost-effective seaport access is strong. In order to secure its economic future, the country must minimize or completely erase the economic costs associated with being landlocked. Overall, landlocked countries tend to be 20% less developed than they would be if they had access to the sea. This is partially due to cost of trade, with transportation costs being between 50%-262% higher for landlocked countries.Subscribe

Given the significant economic costs associated with being landlocked, it is a no-brainer that for Ethiopia to achieve its ambitious developmentalist agenda — which will necessarily require export-oriented industrialization and improved agricultural productivity — it needs to have more control over trade-related costs and policy (or procure stability on both fronts from its neighbors). According to the Ethiopian government, transportation costs gobble up 16% of the value of international trade (which seems really high). Foreign trade currently amounts to 24% of GDP, and needs to grow by orders of magnitude. With an annual output of US$127b, Ethiopia is already Eastern Africa’s biggest economy (Kenya is second at US$113b) but with lots of low-hanging opportunities for even bigger trade-driven output.

Last year Djibouti cut stay of cargo days from 45 to 8 days. In addition, the port is more expensive relative to neighbors, often lacks storage space, and suffers from untimely availability of empty containers for exports. These factors have are the motivation behind Ethiopia’s aggressive port diversification initiative. As of early last year, Djibouti City’s share of Ethiopian trade cargo had declined from 95% to just under 86%, with the Kenyan border Moyale dry port (0.02%), Somaliland’s Berbera (5%), and Djibouti’s Tadjoura (9.6%) emerging as alternatives. These latter routes, however, lack the infrastructure (roads, petrol stations, service and repair stops, etc) to support bulk haulage logistics.

His careless bluster notwithstanding, Abiy has significant leverage over Djibouti (population 1.1m). Ethiopia is Djibouti’s leading revenue generator, ahead of the naval base leases by China, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Japan. Ethiopian trade reportedly generates more than US$1b each year for the Djiboutian economy. Rents from foreign military bases estimated to be at least US$120m per year. The service sector accounts for nearly 80% of Djiboutian GDP (US$3.5b in 2022), much of it related to ports and logistics. Ethiopia accounts for upwards of 85% of all cargo passing through Djibouti.

Source: World Bank data

II: The economic case for securing reliable seaport access

As shown below, over the last decade Ethiopia has quintupled its industrial output and is quickly catching up with its regional neighbors. If these trends are to continue and if Ethiopia is to attract both domestic and foreign investments into its manufacturing sector, the state must guarantee investors that they will be able to access global markets at reasonable prices. The same goes for investments in the agricultural sector, which still has a commanding share of exports. Agriculture accounts for nearly 38% of GDP (including 50% of manufacturing production), 80% of employment, and about 90% of forex earnings.

Ethiopia’s planned rail network (see below) reflects the country’s industrialization agenda (the same goes for the overall transport masterplan, including road infrastructure). The proposed lines are all designed to serve specific industrial parks. Currently the main rail network (red) terminates at Djibouti City (Doraleh Multipurpose Port), with a planned alternative route to the opposite side of the Gulf of Tadjoura (in Tadjoura). While the rail network will certainly serve domestic production and distribution of goods once completed, an equally important objective should be to guarantee high-enough international traffic volumes to pay for its construction and ongoing maintenance.

As revealed by the planned railway network below, Ethiopia’s seaport options are largely limited to Djibouti — which is cause for believing that Abiy’s comments, if he really meant them and was not just carelessly thinking out loud that he is the latter day Ras Alula Abanega, were a negotiating tactic vis-a-vis Djibouti. Given its importance for Ethiopia’s maritime trade, is also likely that Djibouti is Addis Ababa’s first choice for the location of the planned naval base.

Ethiopia’s industrial parks are in Jimma, Hawassa, Adama, Dire Dawa, Bole Lemi, Debre Birhan, Semera, Kombolcha, Bahir Dar, and Mekelle. Source: Wikipedia

Read my earlier post: Economic Development Can Bring Peace to the Horn of Africa

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is also the creator of the blog:  lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com

Lift Grain & Fertilizer Sanctions vs Russia-Grow Food to End Starvation in Africa & the World

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Black Sea Grain Initiative Exposed

July 31, 2023

Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Center
During the period of the Initiative, 75% of Ukraine’s grain exports went to Europe, China, and Türkiye, while very poor countries got between 2.5% and 3%.

In this article: Black Sea Grain Initiative Exposed, excerpted below, EIR magazine usefully exposes the false narrative attacking Russia for the food global shortage.

The following concepts should be clear to all those truly concerned about eradicating hunger in Africa and other parts of the world.   
 
First of all, Russia is not causing the world food shortage by ending the Black Sea Grain Initiaive. As indicated by EIR, only a tiny fraction of Ukraine’s wheat has been exported to poor nations whose populations are suffering from severe food insecurity. Second of all, Russia is the leading exporter of wheat and fertilizer components in the world. Sanctions against Russia has harmed all food importing nations. Lifting sanctions against Russia would help to alleviate food shortages immediately. The West never honored their part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement that stipulated that there would be an easing of Russia’s export of wheat and fertilizers.  
 
Most important of all, there is no objective reason for food insecurity among any people of any nation on this planet! This brings us to the heart of the issue regarding food insecurity. Does the West really care about global food deficiencies, or has it become another weapon in the U.S. led proxy war against Russia?
 
Hunger on our planet could have been eliminated decades ago. For over 12,000 years, humankind has known how to grow food. When advances in technology, irrigation, mechanization, and fertilizers have been applied to farming, yields per hectare have massively increased.  I have personally witnessed this in my travels through the agricultural regions  of the United States.
 
For 30 years I have traveled throughout many sub-Saharan African nations, which are endowed with fertile soil, and large amounts of arable, but uncultivated land, creating a huge potential for the expansion of food production. If African nations in particular had been assisted in developing a modern agricultural sector coupled with an expanding manufacturing sector, hunger would cease to exist, and  the African continent would be a net food exporter.
 
The failure by Western nations and financial institutions, over the last six decades, to collaborate in creating vibrant agro-manufacturing economies in Africa, is the cause of food insecurity on the continent today.
 
A new paradigm of global relations, encompassing  a new financial architecture, dedicated to promoting economic development, would create the potential for leading food and fertilizer producing nations to begin the process of doubling world agricultural output. Progress would be visible immediately, and in the near future, no human being would have to suffer from want of food, anywhere on our planet.  

EIR excerpts:

Narrative #1: The outrageous lie that Ukraine was a major provider of grain to poor countries, and Russia was starving people by its special military operation. Fact check: Ukraine has been, since the 1990s, a major source of grain on the commercial market for developed countries, e.g. Spain, Japan, The Netherlands, China and others—for livestock feed and food needs.

These importers account for over 90% of Ukraine’s exports, and this kind of “world sourcing,” was imposed on Ukraine beginning in the 1990s, by the multi-national cartels which came to dominate land use, processing, shipping and export destinations. It was these cartels which Ambassador Polyansky named as having profited from the year-long Black Sea Grain Initiative.

In brief, the breakdown of Ukraine’s exports of 32–33 million metric tons of grain during the period of the Initiative: 32.9 million tons total, of which 40% went to European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, others), 25% to China; 10% to Türkiye. The very poorest countries got between 2.5% and 3% of the Ukraine grain exports over the period of the Initiative. This is illustrated by an infographic from the Black Sea Grain Initiative Joint Coordination Center. (Emphasis added)

Narrative #2: Promoted in Fall 2022 to replace the discredited “Ukraine supplies poor countries” version. It states that preventing Ukraine Black Sea food exports raises the prices on the world grain markets, and that is what harms poor, grain-import dependent nations. There is a grain of truth to this, but with a big exception. The West is doing less than nothing to increase grain production where possible, to supply emergency relief, and to put an end to the underlying causes of hunger to begin with.
The relevant figures of global underproduction of food can be seen in the volume of annual output of total grains, listed in order of volume: corn/maize, wheat, rice, barley, sorghum, oats, rye, etc. With over 8 billion people in the world, at the rough metric of half a ton of grain production per person, we should be producing some 4 billion tons a year (for direct consumption, and indirect consumption through the animal protein chain). But the annual global harvest is actually running at below 3 billion tons. Total grains output for the current and past two years is hovering in the same range: 2.799 billion metric tons in 2021/22, 2.745 bmt in 2022/23, and 2.831 bmt projected for 2023/24).

Read my earlier post:
Africa Threatened With Starvation: No Objective Reason

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. He is also the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. Mr. Freeman’s stated personal mission is; to eliminate poverty and hunger in Africa by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton

China Unequivocally Supports Ethiopia’s National Reconstruction, Industrialization, and Modernization of Agriculture

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Wang Yi and Abiy Ahmed meeting in Addis Ababe, Ethiopia on July 21, 2023. (Picture courtesy of CGTN)

July 24, 2023

These statments from China’s leading diplomat, Wang Yi’, in his meeting with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, and Deputy PM, Demeke Mekonnen, make abundantly clear, China’s commitment to assist in the economic development of Ethiopia. This is essential to bring peace and stabilty to the Horn of Africa.

On July 21, 2023, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office, visited Ethiopia on his way to South Africa to attend the meeting of the BRICS High Representatives on Security Affairs, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy met with Wang Yi in Addis Ababa.

Mr. Abiy spoke highly of the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics and appreciated China’s determination to follow the development path in line with its own national conditions and its rapid economic and social development, which has set an example for developing countries. Ethiopia will never forget the strong support given by China when it faced difficulties and regards China as a great and reliable friend. Ethiopia is willing to learn from China’s development concepts and experience, and strive to realize self-sufficiency in agriculture and rapid economic growth, and promote green and sustainable development. Ethiopia abides by the one-China principle, supports China’s position in international affairs, actively participates in the construction of the “Belt and Road”, and is willing to work closely with China on mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to promote greater development of relations between the two countries.

Wang Yi said that Ethiopia is a major African country with significant influence. China and Ethiopia are comprehensive strategic partners with each other, the two countries have common goals and common pursuits, and have carried out fruitful cooperation under the framework of building the “Belt and Road” and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation. China values its traditional friendship with Ethiopia, firmly supports its domestic reconstruction and economic recovery, and is willing to further explore the potential of cooperation with Ethiopia to help it accelerate industrialization, modernize agriculture and explore green and low-carbon development. China encourages strong and reputable enterprises to invest in Ethiopia, and is willing to play an active role in alleviating the debt pressure on Ethiopia. We hope that Ethiopia will actively create a favorable business environment.

Wang Yi said that China’s cooperation with Africa is an important part of South-South cooperation and mutual support and assistance among friends. China has never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries, never attached political conditions and never sought geopolitical self-interest in its cooperation with Africa. China is willing to work with African countries, including Ethiopia, to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, green development, digital economy, health and sanitation, and continuously create a new situation for China-Africa cooperation.

On July 21, 2023, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office (CFA) Wang Yi met with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke in Addis Ababa.

Wang Yi said that China and Ethiopia are good brothers who care for each other’s guts, good friends who watch out for each other, and good partners in common development. China has stood with the people of Ethiopia at the critical moment of safeguarding national peace and stability, and will continue to stand with the people of Ethiopia as it enters a new phase of peace restoration and national reconstruction. China firmly supports Ethiopia in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, supporting Ethiopia’s commitment to national unity and stability, and supporting Ethiopia to play a greater role in regional and international affairs, and is willing to continue to strengthen strategic collaboration with Ethiopia, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and work together to safeguard the fundamental interests of the two countries and the common interests of developing countries, and to maintain the basic norms of international relations.

Wang Yi said that China has great potential for cooperation with Ethiopia. China is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with Ethiopia and exchanges at all levels in all sectors, support strong and reputable enterprises to invest in Ethiopia, accelerate the implementation of key cooperation projects, expand the scale of bilateral trade, and help Ethiopia to promote industrialization and modernization of agriculture and improve its capacity for independent development. It is hoped that Ethiopia will take practical and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese organizations and personnel. China is willing to work with Ethiopia to promote the implementation of the “Horn of Africa Peaceful Development Concept” and support Africans to solve African problems in an African way.

Demeke said Ethiopia has a long history of relations with China and is firmly committed to strengthening cooperation with China at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. Ethiopia is grateful to China for its help in maintaining national security and stability, and looks forward to China’s support for the consolidation of peace, reconstruction and economic revitalization of Ethiopia, as well as the global development initiative, global security initiative and global civilization initiative put forward by China, and is willing to strengthen all-round exchanges among the government, political parties and enterprises with China, and deepen the mutually-beneficial cooperation in the field of trade and economic cooperation. Ethiopia firmly opposes the use of human rights as a tool to interfere in the internal affairs of developing countries, actively supports participation in collective cooperation among developing countries, and is willing to work with China to implement the “Horn of Africa Peaceful Development Concept” to promote regional peace and prosperity.

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. He is also the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. Mr. Freeman’s stated personal mission is; to eliminate poverty and hunger in Africa by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton

Freeman Interview: ‘Fighting the Fight’ for Ethiopia, Africa, Justice, and Economic Development

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Lawrence Freeman with Dr. Brook Hailu of nahoo tv, December 22, 2022, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

This hour long interview above provides an excellent overview of my thoughts concerning Ethiopia, Africa, and US-Africa relations. Topics discussed include:

  • Economic development
  • Ethiopia’s agricultural potential
  • Ethiopia as an economic model
  • Ethno-nationalism
  • Importance of capital intensity and infrastructure
  • Credit and the public sector
  • Alexander Hamilton
  • China’s approach to poverty
  • Railroads and electricity
  • My visit to Northern Ethiopia and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
  • Africa, the center of politics and commerce in this century
  • U.S.-Africa Summit

Lawrence Freeman looking over the huge beautiful reservoir and ongoing construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam -Dec 19, 2022

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. He is also the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. Mr. Freeman’s stated personal mission is; to eliminate poverty and hunger in Africa by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton

For Peace Agreement to Become Durable Peace for Ethiopia: Reconstruction and Development Are Imperative

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Watch my interview above from November 8, 2022, on ETV.

The Peace Agreement to end Ethiopia’s two year old war, signed on November 2nd, shepherded by the Africa Union has led to a cessation of hostilities and silencing of the guns. This is an essential first step. However, it is not sufficient. Now that the agreement has been signed, the highest priority is to turn an agreement on paper into a durable peace that will bring stability to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. From my experience, the best way to achieve durable peace, is to identify a national mission that will necessitate for all parties in the conflict to collaborate for the betterment of Ethiopia. I suggest the government of Ethiopia emulate the policies of President Franklin Roosevelt, (1933 to 1945), by initiating  a full mobilization to not only reconstruct Northern Ethiopia, but also expand the growth of the entire Ethiopian economy. Put Ethiopian  youth and unemployed to work rebuilding the areas hit hardest by the war, and at the same time modernizing-upgrading the nation’s economic mode of production.

For example. Ethiopia can eliminate hunger and become a net food exporter by doubling and tripling irrigation. This requires more infrastructure, plentiful energy, mechanization, and new scientifically driven agricultural practices.

If the West, in particular the United States, truly cares about the future of Ethiopia and the welfare of all the people in the surrounding region, then the U.S. government should issue bullions of dollars in long term, low interest credits to aid in the development of Ethiopia. Ending sanctions and issuing credits for development would be the most helpful contribution the U.S. could make to the present and future stability of Ethiopia.

The only way to achieve lasting peace is by unifying the people of Ethiopia through a shared common mission, one that is committed to improving the standard of living of all Ethiopians, regardless of ethnicity or geography.

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. He is also the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. Mr. Freeman’s stated personal mission is; to eliminate poverty and hunger in Africa by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton

Celebrate July 4th Time to Adopt Hamilton’s Industrialization Polices for Africa

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The Hamilton statue at Paterson National Park, home of his Society for Useful Manufactures

July 3, 2022

Alexander Hamilton, one of the most outstanding of our Founding Fathers, designed the scientific economic principles that built the United States into an industrialized power. He succeeded, with the support of President George Washington, in creating a manufacturing sector for the agrarian based 13 colonies. Hamilton was opposed by Thomas Jefferson, who led a campaign to prevent the industrial development of the young republic. We must succeed today against those who are intent in keeping African nations underdeveloped, economically held back by inefficient agricultural sectors.

My colleague, Nancy Spannaus, creator of the website: americansystemnow.com, discusses the contributions of Alexander Hamilton in her article below. Hamilton’s economic principles should be studied and applied by African nations today to ensure a prosperous future for their expanding population.

Without the industrialization of African nations with robust manufacturing and agricultural sectors, poverty, hunger, and insecurity, will not be eliminated.

Read: Hamilton-fathered-our-economic-independence

Hamilton Fathered Our Economic Independence

Read my earlier posts:

A Hamiltonian Development Policy for Africa Is A Necessity

Alexander Hamilton’s Credit System Is Necessary for Africa’s Development

Nations Must Study Alexander Hamilton’s Principles of Political Economy

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. He is also the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. Mr. Freeman’s stated personal mission is; to eliminate poverty and hunger in Africa by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton.

South African Activist Campaigns for Nuclear Energy For Africa: Essential for Industrialization

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May 22, 2022

Africa4Nuclear

The post below is provided by my colleague, PD Lawton, creator of the website: africanagenda.net

It is abundantly clear that African nations must become economically sovereign republics, and that is not possible without becoming industrialized economies with advanced agricultural and economic sectors. . For this transformation to occur, massive amounts of additional reliable, powerful energy is required. My estimations is that a minimum of 1,000 gigawatts of additional power is required. Without doubt, this will require the construction of nuclear energy plants across the continent. Listen to Princy Mthombeni, founder Africa4Nuclear

Princy Mthombeni: Nuclear Technology for Africa`s Agenda for Sustainable Development

Read my earlier posts on this subject.

Nuclear Energy Challenges Western Colonial Mind-Set: Cheikh Anta Diop & John Kennedy Would Concur

Nuclear Power A Necessity for Africa’s Economic Growth

Mozambique is Obligated to Exploit Its Resources For the Development of Its Economy

Nigerian VP: Osinbajo “Climate Justice Must Include Ending Energy Poverty” Especially for Sub-Saharan Africa

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com. Mr. Freeman’s stated personal mission is; to eliminate poverty and hunger in Africa by applying the scientific economic principles of Alexander Hamilton.