In a bid to help Ethiopia’s ambitious reform agenda, the Danish government has announced a USD 150 million contribution to the nations capacity to build a Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) and meet its sustainable development goals in time for its drive to become a middle-income nation by 2025.
The funding, which runs until 2022, will be the major components of Denmark’s development aid program in Ethiopia complementing its national strategies including the Growth and Transformative Plan, safeguarding of millions of refugees in the country as part of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, and support farmers through the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA).
“The Country Program will contribute to improved governance and respect for human rights, and an inclusive, sustainable growth in Ethiopia,” the embassy said in a statement. “Key targets will be to address vulnerability and improve livelihood opportunities for the people of Ethiopia as well as refugees hosted by Ethiopian communities. Inclusion of women and youth will be a crosscutting focus throughout all program activities.”
While Ethiopia and Denmark’s relationship continues to enjoy aid development, the trade between both nations remains to be minimal.
Denmark historically is known for contributing to Ethiopia’s development aid needs and sending-in peacekeepers on the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia during a United Nations sponsored ceasefire two decades ago.
“Ethiopia is currently going through a historical period that will, if it succeeds, change the country for the benefit of the people of Ethiopia and the region,” Ulla Tornaes, the Danish Minister of Development Cooperation said. “The Government of Denmark is actively supporting this period of change by launching the first Country Program with Ethiopia. Poverty eradication and support to good governance will be a key focus.”
However, the Danish International company, Moller Maersk has shown an interest to invest in Ethiopia’s logistic sector.
“The opening of the economic sector here in Ethiopia provides great opportunities for the future investment in the fields of logistics, green growth and renewable energy,” Danish ambassador to Ethiopia, Karin Poulsen told The Reporter. “Danish companies have key competencies in these areas and we have so far experienced quite an interest from Danish companies to explore future trade opportunities between our two nations”.
The country was last visited by former President Mulatu Teshome (PhD) in October of this year making it his last international travel as head of state. He was a delegate to the International Conference on Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030.
While in Copenhagen, Mulatu met Danish Prime Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen and held a discussion on development, aid and on how to strengthen the bilateral relations between both countries.
