New UK funding announced today [10 October] will promote greater
stability and will boost exports in the textile and garments
sector, Ethiopia's largest manufacturing export.
Two years after hostilities ended in northern Ethiopia, many
vulnerable communities are still suffering from the effects of a
violent civil war, with over 3 million people facing food
insecurity, and many women and girls impacted by conflict related
sexual violence.
The UK is taking critical steps to secure lasting peace in the
country, providing £16 million to help 75,000 Tigrayan military
personnel return to civilian life with cash, medical and mental
health support.
Announcing the two-year programme in Tigray, the UK Minister for
Africa will meet with individuals affected by conflict and
drought.
Rebuilding communities devastated by civil war, the UK will
accelerate economic recovery. The Minister will visit a factory
that has just re-started exporting garments to the UK, and will
announce £6.9 million of three-year support for Ethiopia's
textiles and garments sector.
Funding will be provided for several regions in Ethiopia
including Tigray, and aims to improve working conditions for
7,000 female workers and increase exports by 20% over three
years.
The UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins said:
“Peace and Stability are the foundations of growth – that's
why we are providing vital support that will help fighters in
northern Ethiopia take their first steps back into civilian
livelihoods.
“In Tigray, I will see communities rebuilding and businesses
beginning their journey towards economic recovery. UK
support will boost the Ethiopian textile sector, creating job
opportunities and economic growth.”
During the visit, the Minister will see how UK aid has positively
impacted nutrition services, meet with mothers and health
workers, and will speak with women and girls who are survivors of
conflict related sexual violence.
In Addis Ababa, he will meet with the Ethiopian government,
including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, to discuss economic
cooperation, internal conflict, regional security, and the
humanitarian situation in the country.
Notes to editors:
- In November 2022, the Ethiopian Government and Tigray
People's Liberation Front signed a cessation of hostilities,
ending a 2-year-long conflict in Tigray Ethiopia
- The agreement was arranged in collaboration with the African
Union Commission Chairperson Faki, African Union High
Representative to the Horn of Africa Obasanjo, former South
African Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Kenyan President
Kenyatta, with the South African Government hosting the talks.
- The Minister will also launch a new British International
Investment (BII) report detailing the impact on the telecoms
market in Ethiopia as a result of Safaricom's investment, a
UK-led consortium in which BII has a 10% stake.
- A UK co-led pledging conference in April has helped increase
humanitarian funding for Ethiopia. The UK is spending £100
million this year, including £30 million to fund an immediate gap
in life-saving nutrition programming.
- Funding announced today is part of existing funds allocated
under the 'Human Rights and Peacebuilding Programme' and
'Accelerating Ethiopia's Economic Transformation' programme.
