Institute of Foreign Affairs -IFA

03/09/2026

Strategic autonomy is not about choosing sides. For Ethiopia, it is about expanding partnerships while avoiding new dependencies.

Read more: https://www.ifa.gov.et/blog/728

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Monthly Policy Snapshot — August 2026 is out.

Agenda-setting on the Nile. Rising pressure on the northern front. Strategic competition across the Red Sea.

This month’s snapshot examines ’s foreign policy record across five key areas: northern security, Nile diplomacy, Red Sea alignments, economic and institutional diplomacy, and regional security. It finds a mixed picture, with Ethiopia strengthening its position on the Nile and in multilateral diplomacy while facing growing pressure in northern security and the Red Sea.

Read the full snapshot:https://www.ifa.gov.et/research/29

01/09/2026

EU Global Gateway–HERA Dialogue | Panel Discussions

Four panels, one shared objective: turning strategic alignment between Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda 2.0 and the EU Global Gateway into practical investment, stronger institutions, and sustainable economic transformation.

Panel 1 | The Policy Nexus
Mr. Firehiwot Handamo, Senior Fiscal Policy Advisor, Ministry of Finance
“We need to move from project-by-project cooperation to an investment and partnership platform.”

Panel 2 | Financing the Alignment Agenda
Mr. Adrian Cano Guerrero, Programme Advisor – Economy, Trade, Private Sector Development and Regional Integration, EU Delegation to Ethiopia
“Global Gateway is not only about infrastructure investment. It is also about building the enabling environment for transformation.”

Panel 3 | The EU Global Gateway in Africa
Ms. Sandrine Pierloz, Global Gateway Advisor, INTPA HQ
“EU guarantees can help unlock private investment, reduce risk, and turn strategic priorities into viable projects with measurable development impact.”

Panel 4 | Turning Alignment into Action
Mr. Israel Tesfu, Investment Promotion Advisor, Ethiopian Investment Commission
“Alignment is an achievement. Conversion is the test. The priority now is to translate strategic alignment and investment commitments into concrete investments and operational assets.”

Together, the four panels highlighted the importance of national alignment, bankable project pipelines, de-risking instruments, private-sector mobilization, institutional capacity, and priority sectors including clean energy, digital systems, logistics, agri-food value chains, health, and strategic infrastructure.

01/09/2026

Opening Statement | EU Global Gateway–HERA Dialogue

“A strong partnership begins where priorities meet. For Ethiopia and the European Union, that means turning shared ambitions into practical cooperation that supports sustainable and inclusive economic transformation.”

Mr. Daniel Hachez, Head of Partnerships, EU Delegation to Ethiopia

01/09/2026

Opening Speech | EU Global Gateway–HERA Dialogue

“Meaningful policy dialogue must go beyond the exchange of views. It should help identify areas of convergence, address potential challenges, and generate practical recommendations that can inform policy and strengthen cooperation.”

H.E. Mohammedrafie Abaraya Ababulgu, Deputy Executive Director, Institute of Foreign Affairs

01/09/2026

“Strategic partnership must go beyond the transfer of resources. It must be built on genuine alignment of priorities, purpose, and responsibility.”

Hon. Dr. Dima Noggo, Chairperson of the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee of the FDRE House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR)

01/09/2026

The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia, is convening a dialogue on “Strategic Partnerships for Transformation: The EU Global Gateway Initiatives and Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.”

The dialogue brings together policymakers, development partners, private sector representatives, researchers, and financial institutions to explore investment opportunities, economic transformation, and stronger EU–Ethiopia cooperation.

31/08/2026

𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐒. 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 🇪🇹🇪🇺

What happens when Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda meets the EU Global Gateway?

A new conversation on how strategic partnerships can accelerate investment, connectivity, green transformation, digitalisation, agriculture, healthcare, and sustainable development.

📍 Dialogue: Strategic Partnerships for Transformation

The EU Global Gateway and Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda

📅 September 1, 2026
📍 IFA Meeting Hall, Addis Ababa
From partnership to transformation. From commitments to impact.

28/08/2026

Weekly Strategic Brief — Issue No. 005 is out.

Escalation containment beyond crisis response. Deterrence beyond confrontation. Security beyond the frontier.

This week’s brief examines how can manage renewed tensions on its northern front by preserving the Pretoria framework, strengthening border security and preventing domestic and regional pressures from converging into a wider security crisis.

Download the full brief: https://ifa.gov.et/research/28