The political climate in Ethiopia guides our work. The government’s lack of respect for democratic principles led us to stop budgetary support. Direct support to rural areas is now complemented to an ever greater extent by cooperation with civil society groups and the private sector.
Democracy and human rights
Supporting democratic development in Ethiopia is a tough balancing act. Political tensions are forcing us to co-operate mainly outside government channels. However, in the long term, improving public administration will be vital in order for the state to fulfil its duties to the citizens.
Before the last election, we worked successfully for increased voter turnout. A total of 90 per cent of the population voted. Since the election, we have been supporting the domestic Prison Fellowship Ethiopia organization. This work has contributed to 10,000 political prisoners being granted amnesty.
Education and health
The government’s focus on social sectors such as education and health has already brought good results in many areas. The main focus of our work now is on promoting the rights of poor children to a reasonable education and on reducing maternal and child mortality.
Through direct support to several programmes within the education sector, the number of children in school has increased dramatically, from 64 per cent in 2003 to 80 per cent today. Through a different project to train teachers, we have helped the number of qualified teachers in upper comprehensive school increase by 30 per cent.
Economic development
For Ethiopia to escape from the poverty trap, long-term strategies are needed to improve the country’s main form of employment, farming. Making this more efficient should be combined with a stimulant for greater entrepreneurship. Old patterns must be broken to create an economy for the 21st century.
We have been supporting a major project in the Amhara region for some time. This programme helps poor farmers manage long-term sustainable production. By promoting self-determination locally, the project has improved small farmers’ rights and economic possibilities.
Learn more about the project in the Amhara region, the Sida-Amhara Rural Development Programme
Research and Universities
Sida supports partners so that they better plan, produce and use research for development and economic growth. Sida’s intention is that Ethiopia should be able to conduct their own research of international standard in areas that they have prioritised.
Each country has its own unique premises for development and economic growth thus it is central that the cooperation partner is able to generate and maintain expertise and knowledge in key areas.
Example of what Sida support in bilateral cooperation:
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Master- and PhD education in cooperation with Swedish and international partners
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Research councils
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Administrative reforms of universities
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Investments in infrastructure for example ICT, libraries and laboratories
Link to The Unit for Research Cooperations activities in Ethiopia
