Ethiopia and Israel share a new year - and an opportunity to deepen their historic ties - opinion

Ethiopia and Israel share a relationship that is both ancient and extraordinary. Our ties trace back more than three millennia to the legendary encounter between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon; a narrative that continues to symbolize the deep cultural, spiritual, and historical affinity between our peoples.

The outgoing year was significant for Ethiopia-Israel relations. Among the most notable developments was President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Ethiopia. During the visit, he held bilateral discussions with Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. 

The discussions focused on further strengthening the longstanding relationship and expanding cooperation between the two countries.

Another important milestone was the convening of the Fourth Ethiopia-Israel Joint Political Consultation on January 6, 2026, in Jerusalem. The consultation provided an important opportunity to review the progress achieved in bilateral engagement and to identify avenues for further strengthening cooperation.

The relationship between Ethiopia and Israel rests on a long history of people-to-people ties and growing opportunities for practical cooperation. Looking ahead, both countries have considerable scope to deepen collaboration in areas such as agriculture, water management, innovation, technology, health, education, investment, and other fields of mutual interest.

The shared New Year on September 11 offers a symbolic reminder that, despite our different histories and traditions, Ethiopia and Israel have important interests in peace, development, innovation, and human prosperity.

Ethiopia’s development momentum: From GERD to energy leadership

Last year, Ethiopia marked its New Year with the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in the presence of leaders and dignitaries from Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Barbados, and across the region and continent.

The GERD has now become much more than a project under construction. It has become a major instrument of Ethiopia’s development and energy transformation, generating more than 52% of domestic electricity supply and enabling Ethiopia to supply electricity to Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan. A power purchase agreement has also been concluded with South Sudan and Tanzania.

Building on this achievement, Ethiopia is pursuing additional investments in energy infrastructure, including plans for three further dams on the Abbay (Blue Nile) River. At the same time, the Koysha Hydropower Project on the Omo River, with a planned generating capacity of 2,200 megawatts, is progressing toward completion, with completion expected by 2027.

These investments are designed to substantially expand Ethiopia’s energy capacity and strengthen its potential to become a net energy exporter.

It is exercising its sovereign right to develop and utilize its natural resources while remaining committed to international law, international norms, and responsible regional cooperation.

Ethiopia has no intention of causing significant harm to downstream countries. Its objective is fair and equitable utilization of shared resources and the creation of mutually beneficial, win-win outcomes.

It believes that development and regional cooperation should reinforce – not undermine – one another. Its commitment to development is therefore firm, and it will continue to pursue projects that improve livelihoods, expand opportunity, and strengthen the foundations of national prosperity.

A new wave of strategic mega-projects

The inauguration of the GERD was accompanied by the announcement of a new wave of mega-projects with a combined value of approximately $30 billion, reflecting an ambitious drive toward industrialization, self-reliance, and long-term economic transformation.

Among the most ambitious initiatives is a proposed nuclear power plant, which Ahmed described as a project comparable to the GERD in scale and significance.

Ethiopia is also investing heavily in aviation and logistics. Ethiopian Airlines has commenced construction of a major new airport project, announced as a future continental aviation hub with an initial capacity of approximately 60 million passengers annually.

The project is intended to strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a leading gateway for African air transport, trade, and logistics.

In the energy sector, Ethiopia has also moved into commercial natural-gas production in the Somali Region. The development includes a facility with an annual output capacity of 111 million liters of liquefied natural gas, while a second project is expected to increase capacity substantially.

The broader investment includes a natural-gas power plant with a planned generation capacity of 1,000 megawatts and a fertilizer complex designed to produce approximately 3 million metric tons of urea annually.

Taken together, these initiatives point to a broader national strategy: expanding productive capacity, strengthening energy security, reducing dependence on imports, and creating the infrastructure necessary for sustained economic growth.

Democratic institutions and national dialogue

Another important milestone during the outgoing year was the successful conduct of Ethiopia’s seventh general election on June 1, 2026. According to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, voter turnout across regions and city administrations was exceptionally high, ranging from 94% to 99%.

The Prosperity Party secured a comprehensive parliamentary majority, winning in the majority of constituencies.

Extensive preparations were undertaken well in advance, with significant attention devoted to enabling citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote and to conducting the electoral process peacefully and inclusively.

Equally significant was the National Dialogue Conference organized by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission. Around 4,000 Ethiopians participated in this historic national gathering and deliberated on eight fundamental national agenda items.

The National Dialogue provides an important platform for Ethiopians with different perspectives to engage constructively, identify areas of common ground, and develop recommendations to address long-standing challenges.

Its ultimate value lies not simply in the discussions themselves, but in its potential to strengthen national consensus, social cohesion, and a shared vision for Ethiopia’s future.

Green Legacy and Ethiopia’s climate diplomacy

The Green Legacy Initiative is another area in which Ethiopia has registered significant progress. At a time when the country and the wider region are increasingly exposed to severe climate shocks, Ethiopia is placing growing emphasis on environmental restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Launched in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative is a home-grown tree-planting campaign designed to address climate change, environmental degradation, and food-security challenges. Ethiopia has also taken steps to institutionalize the initiative.

In December 2024, Parliament unanimously ratified legislation establishing the Green Legacy Initiative and Degraded Land Rehabilitation Special Fund, with 0.5% to 1% of the federal annual budget earmarked for landscape restoration through forestry and agroforestry.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen livelihoods and food security through planting fruit trees and other productive species that can contribute to household income, nutrition, and community resilience. The United Nations has recognized the initiative’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 on zero hunger.

Ethiopia’s growing climate and environmental diplomacy is reflected in several international milestones, including its selection to host the second Africa Climate Summit, recognition during the 80th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization, and its bid to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32).

These achievements demonstrate an important principle: environmental action can be simultaneously a development strategy, a climate-resilience strategy, and an instrument of international diplomacy.

Economic performance and export growth

The outgoing year also saw strong economic performance. Ethiopia registered GDP growth of 10.2%, placing the country among the faster-growing economies in Africa and globally by 14%. Coffee remained a flagship export, generating more than $3.5 billion, while gold exports generated approximately $5.5 billion.

Oilseeds, horticultural products, livestock, and textiles also continued to contribute to Ethiopia’s export performance.

These results are important not only as economic indicators, but also as evidence of Ethiopia’s broader effort to diversify production, strengthen exports, attract investment, and build a more productive and resilient economy.

Looking ahead: A new year of opportunity

Ethiopia enters the New Year with a new government following the June 2026 general election. The incoming government is expected to set out policies and strategies to consolidate the country’s growth trajectory, strengthen national institutions, and advance Ethiopia’s development ambitions.

At the same time, Ethiopia will continue to play an important role in the diplomacy and geopolitics of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. The country’s geographic position, economic weight, energy potential, and diplomatic engagement give it an important stake in regional stability, connectivity, and cooperation.

The task ahead is therefore both ambitious and clear: to translate economic growth and major infrastructure achievements into broader prosperity; to strengthen peace, national cohesion, and democratic institutions; to expand productive partnerships; and to ensure that Ethiopia’s development contributes to a more stable, connected, and prosperous region.

As Ethiopia and Israel welcome the new year together, this shared date can serve as a symbol of friendship, renewal, and opportunity. May the coming year bring greater peace, prosperity, and cooperation to both our nations and to the region we share.

New Year’s message

On this special occasion, I once again extend my warmest wishes to the Ethiopian people and government, and to the people and government of the State of Israel.

May the new year be one of peace, prosperity, stability, and renewed partnership.