Ethiopia, Ireland ink €8.4mln financial support agreement

Addis Ababa, October 30, 2023 (FBC) – The Ministry of Finance and the government of Ireland today signed financing agreements in Addis Abeba that worth 8 million and 400,000 Euros.

This agreement has three components; among which, 5 million Euros is aimed to support the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), 3 million Euros for the Health-focused Sustainable Development Goals SDG and 400,000 Euros will help to finance the Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER) program.

In a ceremony hosted at the Ministry of Finance in Addis Ababa on Monday 30 October, the agreement was signed by Mr. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, and Mr. Sean Fleming, Ireland’s State Minister for International Development, and the Diaspora.

Following the signing ceremony, Ahmed expressed his appreciation for the continued support of Ethiopia’s development efforts. He remarked that all three agreements align with the government’s priorities.

Minister Fleming on his part said: “I am delighted to recommit Ireland to funding these strategic national programs that aim to extend social protection and healthcare services to all of those throughout Ethiopia who most need them, especially women and children.”

Minister Ahmed acknowledged support which was provided by the government of Ireland in the last decades for the programs mentioned above which total amount to more than 200 million Euros.

Mr. Ahmed expressed his appreciation for the renewed partnership and revitalized cooperation between Ethiopia and the Republic of Ireland in a new spirit.

Citing the Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia Ms. Nicola Brennan, FBC reported earlier today that Ministry of Finance, Agriculture, and Health would sign agreements with the Irish delegation that is visiting Ethiopia.