Ethiopia strengthens its place as Africa’s agricultural powerhouse

Ethiopia is steadily reinforcing its reputation as a major force in African agriculture, now recognised as the continent’s top wheat producer and the largest producer and exporter of coffee

This milestone was highlighted by Agriculture State Minister Professor Eyasu Elias during the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) meeting in Addis Ababa, marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary.

Professor Eyasu pointed to a clear and determined national strategy that has driven this transformation. Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office, Ethiopia has prioritised agriculture through strong leadership, coordinated policies, and sustained investment in farmers. These efforts have helped the country shift towards more climate resilient irrigation systems, particularly in wheat production, while maintaining its global reputation for high quality coffee.

He emphasised that these achievements closely reflect AGRA’s mission to improve seed systems, boost productivity, expand market access, and build resilient agricultural frameworks. The organisation has also played a key role in strengthening Ethiopia’s value chains across crops such as wheat, oilseeds, rice, and sorghum, alongside improving institutional and policy capacity.

AGRA Board Chairman Hailemariam Dessalegn, said, "This remains as relevant today as it was then as agriculture serves as the backbone of most African economies, and the continent's prosperity depends on the success of its farmers," the Board Chairman stressed. He further noted that Ethiopia stands out as a model, with agriculture contributing more than 30 percent of its GDP, supporting most of the population, and driving export growth.

AGRA President Alice Ruhweza, said, "We must continue to strengthen the systems that enable agriculture to deliver from policy, institutions, research, innovation, to markets that all function effectively. It also means ensuring that partners are not only working together, but aligned around clear priorities and tangible results."