Ethiopia strengthens farmers with cold storage facility in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia has taken another step in strengthening its trade and logistics systems with the opening of a large fruit, vegetable and animal products cold storage facility in Addis Ababa.

The new development reflects the country’s wider push to modernise its trade environment while improving the movement and preservation of agricultural goods.

The facility, developed by the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation, is located in the Akaki Qaliti Sub City of Addis Ababa. It was officially inaugurated in the presence of Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, and Adanech Abiebie, Mayor of Addis Ababa, along with other senior government officials.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Kassahun said the project forms part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Ethiopia’s trade sector and enhancing supply chain performance. He explained that the government is working to improve storage, distribution and logistics systems to ensure goods move more efficiently from producers to markets.

The cold storage complex has the capacity to handle more than 20,000 quintals of fruit and vegetables at a time, in addition to storing up to 10,000 quintals of animal products. By providing controlled temperature storage, the facility is expected to significantly reduce post harvest losses and maintain consistent product quality. This is particularly important for farmers and traders who depend on stable market conditions.

Built at a cost of around 1.7 billion birr, approximately US$30mn, the project covers over 11,400 square metres. Alongside the storage units, the site includes a ten storey multipurpose building designed to support integrated trade and logistics services.

Minister Kassahun noted that Ethiopia is actively pursuing reforms to strengthen its position in regional and global markets. Current priorities include improving access to essential goods at fair prices, reinforcing market connections, expanding modern logistics infrastructure and promoting a transparent and competitive trade system.

He also highlighted the role of the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation in supporting exports and contributing to national economic goals. According to the Minister, the corporation will continue aligning its activities with the country’s wider trade reform agenda.

The new facility represents part of Ethiopia’s broader investment in cold chain and logistics capacity, aimed at improving how agricultural produce is handled, stored and delivered to both domestic and international markets.

Tanzania and Al Dahra signed a major agricultural investment partnership. (Image credit: Al Dahra)

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding with Al Dahra Group, a global agribusiness firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement sets the stage for exploring large scale agricultural investments in the United Republic of Tanzania, with a strong focus on modern and sustainable farming.

The partnership aims to unlock Tanzania’s vast agricultural potential through commercial farming driven by irrigation. Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate to identify and assess suitable farmland for major projects designed to strengthen the country’s agricultural capacity, stimulate economic growth and enhance national food security.

Al Dahra will bring its international experience in high yield and sustainable crop production. TISEZA will support the process by facilitating land access, providing regulatory guidance and coordinating investment incentives. Together, they intend to build a strong foundation for long term agricultural development.

The initiative also aligns with Al Dahra’s 2030 Vision, which centres on expanding irrigated farming and promoting sustainable crop innovation across its global operations. The company plans to invest up to US$100mn in Tanzania. Initial operations are expected to cover at least 10,000 hectares of farmland, with the possibility of expanding by a further 10,000 hectares as the project grows.

Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority, said, “This MoU underscores Tanzania’s commitment to welcoming investment and providing the necessary enablers for foreign direct investments. This collaboration aligns with Tanzania’s agricultural transformation under the leadership of H.E. Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, which aims to achieve a 10% GDP growth rate in the crop subsector by 2030. This kind of investment creates assured market for millions of smallholder farmers in Tanzania and the region.”

Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO at Al Dahra, said, “Tanzania offers exceptional agricultural potential, and together with TISEZA, we aim to introduce advanced, sustainable and resilient farming models that support the development of modern farming infrastructure, acquisition of state of the art agricultural technologies, and implementation of smart agritech systems in Tanzania. Our commitment is to invest responsibly, collaborate closely with national institutions, and contribute to Tanzania’s vision for a modern, diversified agricultural sector.”

Kenya implements to safeguard farmers amid drought condition.

Kenya’s response to the deepening drought has moved into urgent action, with the Government expanding food relief efforts while preparing farmers for the coming long rains season.

As dry conditions tighten their grip across several counties, authorities say both immediate survival and future food security are now the priority.

Kithure Kindiki, Deputy President, said, “The government is intensifying distribution of food to millions of Kenyans severely affected by the ongoing drought. I assure the people of Kenya that the government will not spare any resources to make sure we don’t lose human life and mitigate the effects of the drought on livestock and wildlife.”

Speaking after chairing a high level coordination meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, which brought together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and agency heads, Kindiki said the focus is on fast and efficient delivery of relief to the most affected communities.

“Many counties are in need of food for the people and livestock feed. We are tirelessly working on effective last mile delivery of food so it does not take long to reach the people. We are also trucking water to the people and livestock,” he said.

Government figures show that at least 3.3 million people have been affected since January 2026, with counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, Turkana, Kwale, Meru North, Samburu and Isiolo facing crisis conditions.

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched the 2026 Long Rains National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme. Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kiprono Rono confirmed that fertiliser is being delivered to National Cereals and Produce Board depots using the Standard Gauge Railway to ensure timely and affordable access for farmers.

“We need food to reach our schools so that learners are not disrupted by the ongoing drought situation. We have reviewed and resolved to upscale the ongoing interventions. We have also resolved to diversify the provision of food to take care of special members of society, including children, women and vulnerable members of society,” he stated.

Officials say the combined strategy of emergency relief and farm input support is aimed at stabilising families today while safeguarding the next harvest, as Kenya confronts increasingly uncertain climate patterns.

Ethiopia is reshaping its wheat farming landscape.

The African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, has applauded Ethiopia’s rise as a wheat exporter, describing it as a defining achievement not only for the country but for Africa as a whole.

Moses Vilakati, said, “We have realized where Ethiopia started and where they are right now — up to an extent where they are now exporting wheat. That’s a milestone, and we are very, very grateful.”

His remarks highlight how far Ethiopia has come in reshaping its agricultural landscape. Once heavily dependent on wheat imports, the country has invested in expanding domestic production, improving farming practices and embracing modern systems that support higher yields and greater resilience.

Vilakati also praised Ethiopia’s wider development agenda, pointing to its commitment to agricultural modernisation and digital transformation. He noted that the country’s progress shows what can be achieved when innovation aligns with clear policy direction and strong political will. For many African nations facing similar food security challenges, Ethiopia’s example offers a practical and encouraging model.

Vilakati stressed that digital tools are changing the way farming works across the continent. Farmers are gaining better access to timely information, improved climate data and smarter decision making systems that help them respond to changing conditions.

The AU Digital Agriculture Strategy 2024–2030 provides the continental roadmap for expanding such tools across agricultural value chains. Digital advisory platforms, climate information services and online marketplaces are already opening new opportunities, particularly for young people seeking to build careers in agriculture.

Following the inaugural AU Digital Agriculture Conference, the African Union Commission renewed its commitment to embedding digital innovation within Africa’s farming systems. As preparations begin for the 2027 review cycle, Vilakati urged member states to turn strategy into action and follow Ethiopia’s lead in pursuing food self sufficiency.