UNIDO chief says Ethiopia turns around from food importer to exporter
Addis Ababa, November 5, 2024 (FBC) — Ethiopia has turned around from food importer to exporter in the past six years under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, UNIDO Director General Gerd Muller said.
The government Ethiopia has identified wheat as a strategic commodity for food security, import substitution and export to foreign market.
The country’s wheat production has reached a new milestone and enabled it to stand as one of the largest producers of wheat in Africa.
Ethiopia’s success is possible to replicate in almost all African countries, according to the UNIDO Director General.
He made the remarks during the World Without Hunger Conference held at the Adwa Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa today.
African population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 while the demand for food will grow by 70 percent, he said.
However, he noted that Africa has the potential to end hunger.
“In Africa, ending hunger is possible. This continent has great potential. Sixty percent of the world’s arable land is here. Six of the fastest growing economies are African countries. Ethiopia is one of these successful countries. Africa could be the first continent to power itself through renewable energies,” Muller added.
He elaborated that productivity in Africa is still too low and the infrastructure in rural areas is poorly developed and as a result many African countries have gone from being exporters to importers since 1960.
Acknowledging the progress Ethiopia has made, the general director said “In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has achieved the turnaround from food importer to exporter.”
The progress Ethiopia has registered in the past six years is possible to be replicated in almost all African countries, he added.
He also stressed the need to improve private sector investment, infrastructure development in rural areas, agricultural practices, as called by ENA.
UNIDO believes industrialization is key to create millions of jobs, he said.