Japan grants $14m to halt spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, July 24, 2020 (FBC) –The Ministry of Finance and Japan have signed a grant agreement amounting $14 million for the procurement of medical equipment to halt the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.

The agreement was signed today by Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance and Matsunaga Daisuke, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia.

Ambassador Matsunaga said “this grant aid will contribute to enhancing measures that have been taken for the fight against infectious diseases in Ethiopia, including COVID-19.”

The ambassador hoped that “this grant aid will further deepen friendship between the people of Japan and Ethiopia”.

According to a statement the embassy of Japan sent to FBC, the grant is a continuation of the August 2019 Yokohama TICAD 7 commitments to expand universal health coverage and the African health and well-being initiatives.