ADDIS ABABA — Mandefro Nigussie, CEO of the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), recently emphasized the pivotal role of the agricultural sector in stabilizing Ethiopia’s financial system through the production of high-quality agricultural commodities.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Nigussie outlined that the Homegrown Economic Reform serves as a central blueprint for various sectors, including agriculture, which is identified as one of the five priority areas. He detailed the sector’s comprehensive reform strategy, which includes policy changes in agriculture and rural development, programmatic reforms, and institutional restructuring. According to Nigussie, these reforms are critical for achieving agricultural transformation, enhancing production quality, and meeting international standards at competitive prices.

Nigussie also discussed how increasing agricultural output and standards can boost Ethiopia’s foreign currency earnings, crucial for balancing trade and addressing currency shortages. He noted the positive impact of global financial commitments to Ethiopia, which are expected to enhance the country’s economic stability. The CEO expressed confidence in the sector’s strategy to generate sustainable income and stabilize the financial system, ultimately achieving a balance where exports equal imports.

The interview also highlighted Ethiopia’s broader economic reforms over the past five years, including the liberalization of the telecom and financial sectors and the opening of trade and logistics to foreign investment, aimed at making Ethiopia a more business-friendly nation.