Addis Ababa, Ministry of Finance: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of Japan signed a grant agreement to provide 500 million Japanese Yen which is approximately equivalent to 90 million ETB. This grant is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) under the Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Program for the provision of asphalt to the Ethiopian Roads Authority.

During the signing ceremony, H.E. Yasmin Wohabrebbi, State Minister of Finance affirmed her belief that this agreement will reinforce cooperation between the two partners and will lead to further possibilities to achieve more development goals. The State Minister also explained that the objective of the grant is to assist the government of Ethiopia with strengthening and increasing its road transport infrastructure. She also said improving infrastructure is one of the most important tools to promote economic growth, increase access to social services and reduce poverty. Moreover, H.E. Yasmin explained how having an efficient and reliable infrastructure is fundamental in ensuring the reforms undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia to transform and diversify its economy are adequately supported.

Japan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia H.E. Ms. Ito Takako on behalf of the Government of Japan also said her country is resolved to make contributions to the development programs in Ethiopia. She also explained that Japan’s development cooperation projects prioritize the transfer of knowledge and technology in areas such as industrial promotion, development of agriculture, provision of high- quality infrastructure, as well as health and education. Ms. Ito Takako said since infrastructural development is a priority area in Japan’s development cooperation with Ethiopia, her government is delighted to contribute to the purchase of much-needed asphalt material. This material, she said, will be used to rehabilitate national road 1 and national road 3, which are the main logistics corridors between Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Sudan.

The historical bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Japan date back to the 1930s when the Treaty of Amity and Commerce was signed between the two countries, marking the beginning of the first diplomatic relations Japan has with an African country. Japan remains a reliable development partner of Ethiopia to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This grant agreement was signed by H.E. Ms. Yasmin Wohabrebbi, State Minister of Finance, and H.E. Ms. Ito Takako, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ethiopia, on behalf of the Ethiopian Government and behalf of the Government of Japan, respectively.