The CGIAR Policy Innovations Program (CGIAR-PI), in partnership with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), today launched the Ethiopia Country Policy Innovation Hub alongside a new Policy Dialogue Series (2026–2028) aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking.
The initiative, unveiled at a workshop in the capital, unites policymakers, researchers and development partners to align research with Ethiopia’s national priorities for sustainable, inclusive growth. It builds on major frameworks including Home-Grown Economic Reform 2.0, the Ten-Year Development Plan (2021–2030), the Agricultural and Rural Development Policy, and the Food Systems Transformation and Nutrition Agenda.
Ethiopia faces a rapidly evolving policy landscape driven by economic expansion, new technology sectors and shifting household dynamics, compounded by global pressures like climate change and geopolitical tensions. The Hub responds to this complexity by channeling rigorous analysis into actionable strategies.
Drawing lessons from the longstanding Ethiopia Strategy Support Program (ESSP) and National Policies Initiative, the Ethiopia Country Policy Innovation Hub joins similar efforts in India, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria. Jointly managed by IFPRI and ILRI, it pursues three core objectives: co-creating research with national partners; delivering evidence to guide policies and investments; and building analytical capacity to tackle emerging challenges.
Participants at the launch discussed the Hub’s structure and priorities, stressing inclusive partnerships and joint ownership of policy-relevant knowledge. The accompanying Policy Dialogue Series will sustain high-level exchanges through 2028, ensuring research directly informs Ethiopia’s social and economic transformation amid intensifying development demands.
