ADDIS ABABA- Ethiopia’s over one decade fast-economic growth has enabled the country to fund its development projects and improve living standards of citizens replacing donors’ assistance, Head of Department for International Development (DFID) Ethiopia said.
The head, Dr. Christian Rogg told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopia’s impressive economic growth encourages donor groups including DFID to change approach in extending support to the country as its needs are changing following the economic growth and increasing domestic revenue.
Dr. Rogg noted that DFID’s support to Ethiopia will be focused on helping the nation create more jobs for the ever-increasing youth, enhance income and sustain the economic growth to enable it end absolute poverty and improve the lives of low-income citizens.
He expressed optimism that the nation will continue to be among the fastest economies in Africa and its goal of becoming a middle-income economy by 2025 is also achievable by strong collaboration of the public, government and development partners.
Both Ethiopia and the United Kingdom need to exert much efforts to strengthen ties and to utilize potentials, the head said, adding that DFID is planning to expand its support to Ethiopia considering the proper utilization of funds. Noting DFID has been supporting projects in natural conservation, agriculture, education, health and others, he said that Ethiopia has been provensuccessful in spending the finance for intended purposes.
In addition to the proper utilization of funds, the nation’s effort to alleviate poverty is also another reason for the entity to increase the support. The improvements in bilateral relations with different countries and organizations and the commitment to spend loans and grants for the targeted purposes have helped boost the credibility of the country, the head elaborated.
Dr. Rogg said that Ethiopia has also been undertaking successful activities regarding poverty alleviation, reducing child and maternal deaths; realize universal access to primary education, and control malaria, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. He further indicated that Ethiopia’s allocation of the majority of its budget to education, infrastructure, health institutions and other activities that contribute to end poverty is the main reason the country to sit in the right track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ethiopia has also made big leaps in improving the livelihoods of women and low-income groups, creating jobs and producing a significant number of young middle-income citizens, the head noted.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 25/2018
BY BILAL DERSO
