Partnership Overview
Ethiopia is devoted to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and reaching middle-income status by 2030 through a climate-resilient, low-carbon development path. Through the Global Gateway initiative, Team Europe provides Ethiopia with a fair, transparent, and advantageous partnership to enhance the regulatory and investment climate, elevate infrastructure development, and connect Ethiopia to a future of opportunities and prosperity.
π Global Gateway in Ethiopia
Moving towards an open and connected economy through transformative investments in sustainable infrastructure, digital transformation, and clean energy transition.
β¬300B
Global Gateway Investment (2021-2027)
β¬270M
RISED Ethiopia Investment
80%
Population Dependent on Agriculture
2030
Middle-Income Status Goal
Ethiopia's Development Vision
Central to Ethiopia's transformation is the Home-Grown Economic Reform Programme 2.0, which aims to:
- Ensure macroeconomic stability and sustainable fiscal management
- Improve the business climate for domestic and international investment
- Boost competitiveness across key economic sectors
- Enhance public sector efficiency and transparency
- Transition from public sector-driven to private sector-led economy
- Reduce debt burdens while raising infrastructure standards
- Create jobs and business opportunities for inclusive growth
Four Investment Pillars
Global Gateway focuses on four strategic pillars to accelerate Ethiopia's sustainable development:
π» Human-Centric Digital Transformation
A Competitive, Open and Inclusive Digital Economy
Global Gateway invests in infrastructure, businesses, institutions and people to accelerate Ethiopia's digital transformation. This includes:
- Digital infrastructure development for nationwide connectivity
- DESTA programme - Advancing Market-Ready Digital Skills
- TVET system enhancement to power Ethiopia's growing digital economy
- E-mobility and digital services integration
- Digital connectivity extension across rural and urban areas
Goal: Equip Ethiopians with market-relevant digital and business skills while building robust digital infrastructure.
β‘ Clean Energy Transition for All
Clean Energy, Empowered Ethiopia
Global Gateway supports investments and rules paving the way to a clean energy transition for all in Ethiopia. Key initiatives include:
- Grid modernization and digitalization for enhanced reliability
- Renewable energy development - wind, solar, and hydropower
- Regional energy hub development for cross-border energy trade
- Clean cooking solutions and organic fertilizer access
- Off-grid renewable energy for rural communities
Goal: Ensure clean, modern and affordable energy access for all Ethiopians while becoming a regional renewable energy hub.
πΎ Sustainable Agri-Food Value Chains
Harvesting Global Markets, Nurturing Local Futures
Global Gateway invests in the coffee and horticulture value chains, connecting Ethiopia to the EU market and boosting opportunities for smallholder farmers:
- Cold storage infrastructure for perishable goods
- Supply chain competitiveness enhancement
- Export sector development for fruits and vegetables
- Smallholder farmer support especially women and youth
- Agro-processing and value addition capabilities
Goal: Transform agriculture from subsistence to commercial, export-oriented production while ensuring food security.
π₯ Health System Strengthening
Stronger Healthcare, Thriving Communities
Global Gateway strengthens healthcare capacities and invests in Ethiopia's health system through:
- Hospital rehabilitation and modernization
- Health facility electrification in rural areas
- Medical equipment and technology upgrades
- Healthcare workforce development
- Referral and teaching hospital capacity building
Goal: Build a resilient healthcare system serving over 10 million people with quality medical services.
Global Gateway Flagship Projects
Transformative investments showcasing how Team Europe implements Global Gateway in Ethiopia:
β‘ RISED Ethiopia
Clean Energy Transition for All & Human-Centric Digital Transformation
From ensuring clean, modern and affordable energy access for all Ethiopians to powering e-mobility and digital infrastructure and selling decarbonised energy to neighbouring countries, the future of Ethiopia is electric!
Key Components:
- Electricity transmission network rehabilitation and modernization
- Grid digitalization for smart energy management
- Ashegoda 120MW wind farm restoration
- Digital connectivity extension nationwide
- Ethiopian energy professionals capacity strengthening
Partnership: Ethiopian Electric Power and Team Europe collaboration
Impact: Making the power grid stronger, smarter and greener while supporting the twin green and digital transition.
πͺοΈ Assela Wind Farm
Clean Energy Transition for All
Ethiopia is rich in renewable energy resources. The Assela 100MW wind farm demonstrates Global Gateway in action, leveraging finance and expertise from Team Europe partners to build smart, clean and secure energy connections.
Financed by: Denmark
Developer: Siemens Energy (European company)
Strategic Benefits:
- Grid resilience enhancement - reducing dependence on hydropower
- Climate change adaptation - diversifying energy sources
- Regional energy hub development - positioning Ethiopia as renewable energy leader
- First power delivery - turbines already feeding into national grid
Milestone: First turbines started feeding power into Ethiopia's national grid in 2025.
π Cool Port Addis
Sustainable Agri-Food Value Chains
Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy with 80% of the population depending on it. Cool Port Addis enhances supply chain competitiveness and spurs large-scale fruit and vegetable export sector growth.
Co-financed by: Netherlands and Government of Ethiopia
Location: Modjo Dry Port
Project Features:
- Cold storage facility for perishable goods
- Addis-Djibouti railway connection for efficient transport
- Expressway connectivity for road transport
- Export sector development for fruits and vegetables
- Smallholder farmer opportunities especially for women and youth
Impact: Creating significant income opportunities for smallholder farmers while contributing to food security and export diversification.
π #StepUp Campaign: Powering Everyday Lives - α±α₯ α±α₯ ααα!
Energy access is central to Ethiopia's path towards inclusive growth and sustainable development. The #StepUp campaign illustrates how energy innovations at the community level, such as solar power and electric kitchenware, can transform livelihoods, empower entrepreneurs, and reduce environmental impact.
Featured Stories: Dawit (barber) and Yeshi (injera baker) showcase how clean energy transforms small businesses and communities.
Recent Project Developments (2025)
National Biogas Programme Ethiopia (NBPE+)
EU co-funded third phase promoting access to clean cooking and organic fertiliser in rural Ethiopia, partnering with Government of Ethiopia, local communities and private sector.
Assela Wind Farm Achievement
Team Europe member Denmark's investment showcases Global Gateway in action, turning renewable energy potential into sustainable development with first power delivery to national grid.
DESTA Programme Launch
EU equips Ethiopians with market-relevant digital and business skills, boosting the TVET system to power Ethiopia's growing digital economy.
Dessie Hospital Rehabilitation
EU supported restoration of vital referral and teaching facility serving over 10 million people after extensive damage during northern conflict.
EnDev Rural Energy Expansion
EU co-funded project installed five solar mini-grids, electrified over 100 health facilities, and boosted local markets for clean energy and cookstoves.
Partnership Impact
The EU-Ethiopia Global Gateway partnership delivers transformative results:
- Economic Transformation: Supporting transition to private sector-led economy
- Energy Security: Building resilient, diversified energy infrastructure
- Digital Inclusion: Connecting rural and urban communities to digital opportunities
- Agricultural Modernization: Enhancing productivity and market access for farmers
- Healthcare Strengthening: Improving access to quality medical services
- Skills Development: Preparing workforce for digital economy
- Regional Integration: Positioning Ethiopia as regional hub for energy and trade
Future Outlook
The EU-Ethiopia partnership through Global Gateway continues to evolve with focus on:
- Scaling renewable energy infrastructure and regional energy trade
- Expanding digital connectivity and e-government services
- Strengthening agri-food value chains for export competitiveness
- Building climate resilience across all sectors
- Enhancing private sector participation in development initiatives
- Supporting Ethiopia's 2030 middle-income status goal
Learn More: Official EU Delegation Ethiopia - Global Gateway β