Ethiopia: “We don’t need aid, we need investments”

[Abuu Said]

Ethiopia: “We don’t need aid, we need investments”

Meles Mebrahtu - INDUSTRIAL MINISTER

What is industry’s share in Ethiopia’s economy?
About 15% of GDP, against 39% for agriculture and 46% for services. Industry is experiencing strong growth, in the region of 8.8% in 2015, but only employs 5% to 7% of a substantial labor force. Indeed, 80% of our 49 million active workers rely on agriculture.

Our aim is to increase industry’s share to 25% of GDP by 2025. The contribution made by factories currently stands at 5% of GDP, a share we want to bring to 15% in ten years. We are focusing on light manufacturing in order to process our raw materials from agriculture and livestock. Cereals, coffee, seeds, cotton, sugar cane, vegetables, cut flowers and livestock account for the bulk of our exports.

We are conducting a pilot program with UNIDO to build agri-food industrial parks in order to attract investments and continue our economic transformation, which has been massive over the last twelve years and has focused on light manufacturing.

Our objective is to become a middle-income country. We also wish to modernize our agriculture in order to move towards a commercial primary sector, with the potential to increase the farmers’ income.

Did you conduct prospective studies in order to prepare your industrialization policy?

Our long-term programs run until 2025. Our second growth and transformation plan, which was launched in 2015, gives priority to industry and urban development.

Many studies have been conducted, which convinced us to conduct a policy with a real impact. Ethiopia has become a pilot country at international level. We carry a double responsibility, towards our people and other African countries. Development is possible, even for a nation like ours, without substantial mineral resources.

Isn’t processing agricultural raw materials the key to all development, which African countries have known for decades?
The African population as a whole relies on agriculture for their livelihood. Africa exports considerable volumes of unprocessed raw materials, cocoa, coffee, etc. Agriculture is exposed to climate conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices on world markets. Our duty is to provide added value in order to reduce our populations’ vulnerability.

We need to invest on the basis of a clear program, with a vision, and attract investments in a well-prepared manner. Without a vision, we won’t be able to go through the successive stages of development. Africa no longer has a choice. We need to specialize in certain global value chains and think about selling in Africa’s regional trade, which is still underdeveloped. Inter-African trade accounts for about only 10% of foreign trade in Africa.

Are you willing to attract investors at all costs, with the risk of selling off your assets, such as arable land?
The private sector has a key role to play. Whether national or foreign, all types of investors have their strengths and weaknesses. In the short term, Ethiopian companies do not have the technology or know-how to conquer international markets. They must consequently learn as a first step. It should be noted that certain sectors of our economy are reserved for nationals: banking, insurance, telecommunications and microfinance. The other sectors are open to foreign direct investment (FDI), which is experiencing strong growth – 24% a year on average.

No country can develop without FDI, within a clear regulatory framework which allows the invested capital to be protected and profits to be repatriated. Major groups are present, Castel and Heineken in the brewery sector, Turkish companies in the textile industry, others in energy, as well as 130 major companies in horticulture.

Controversies have erupted over land grabbing by foreign actors. What exactly is the situation?
This is a false problem! Land is a public good in Ethiopia and can be subject to concessions for clearly defined durations. It is set out in our Constitution. No one confiscates land in our country. However, due to political considerations or for other interests, members of the opposition, as well as NGOs, criticize these contracts as being land grabbing, whereas the State maintains its control.

Is Ethiopia, a landlocked country, dependent on the economic dynamism of its neighbors?
We have our own policies which allow us to achieve sustained growth in a difficult region, the Horn of Africa. We are a stable country with a highly determined Government, which organizes transparent electoral processes, with zero tolerance for corruption.

All this has allowed us to develop our economy over the past ten years. We invest in railways, education, health and agriculture. Poverty reduction programs account for 70 % of our expenditure. Our social objectives are sometimes more ambitious than the SDGs. All this has fostered interest by the private sector and international community.

A final point is that we do not consider ourselves as a landlocked, but a landlinked country. A railway line links Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti, and land corridors are being developed towards Port Sudan and Mombasa in Kenya.

In a troubled region, is Ethiopia an isolated case?
No, we belong to regional blocs and we are concerned with resolving our neighbors’ conflicts. Moreover, we have contingents in AMISOM, the pan-African peacekeeping mission in Somalia. We position ourselves as a model with regard to our neighbors in order to address the tribal issue.

Does development require a strong State?
It is based on three main pillars. The first: its inclusive and sustainable nature, firmly rooted in the field. The second: democratization, the capacity for a government to be accountable and serve a population. The third: good governance, which is essential for investment, and unfortunately continues to be a major problem in many African countries. In Ethiopia, we are conducting a zero tolerance policy with regard to corruption at every level, even ministerial. Drastic measures have been taken and senior officials have been brought to justice.

Are you still experiencing some negative perceptions of Africa?

These perceptions do indeed persist, particularly about Ethiopia, which was severely affected by famine in the 1980s. It will take time to overcome this image, but we have already started to change it.

The perceptions that Africans may have of their partners are increasingly going to matter too… Many African countries are skeptical towards Europe, which absorbs our raw materials without investing in processing them on the spot. We need to develop a “win-win” partnership.

We too are faced with the global challenges of migration and terrorism. We are not looking for aid, but investments! Giving young people employment in our countries is a matter of urgency. These generations emigrate because they have no economic or political prospects. We need to work together to achieve Africa’s potential.

 

[Abuu Said]

Haya ndio mambo ya msingi nchi inatakiwa i deal nayo sio vijembe vya kisiasa na kukandamiza upinzani

 

[dudus]

...
Is Ethiopia, a landlocked country, dependent on the economic dynamism of its neighbors?
We have our own policies which allow us to achieve sustained growth in a difficult region, the Horn of Africa. We are a stable country with a highly determined Government, which organizes transparent electoral processes, with zero tolerance for corruption.

All this has allowed us to develop our economy over the past ten years. We invest in railways, education, health and agriculture. Poverty reduction programs account for 70 % of our expenditure. Our social objectives are sometimes more ambitious than the SDGs. All this has fostered interest by the private sector and international community.

A final point is that we do not consider ourselves as a landlocked, but a landlinked country ...
...

Huyu Waziri atakuwa so intelligent! Nimependa hiyo red including the underlined; kumbe vina uhusiano wa moja kwa moja na hiyo part ya blue!? Hiyo brown angekuwa ni mbongo anahojiwa angejikanyaga huyo balaa! We are not landlocked but a landlinked country - so determined and visionary leadership!

 

[Abuu Said]

Huyu Waziri atakuwa so intelligent! Nimependa hiyo red including the underlined; kumbe vina uhusiano wa moja kwa moja na hiyo part ya blue!? Hiyo brown angekuwa ni mbongo anahojiwa angejikanyaga huyo balaa! We are not landlocked but a landlinked country - so determined and visionary leadership!

Nashangaa our Prez kajifungia ndani anataka tuwe Landlocked country

 

[Mudawote]

Haya ndio mambo ya msingi nchi inatakiwa i deal nayo sio vijembe vya kisiasa na kukandamiza upinzani

Ungejua kinachoendelea Ethiopia kwa oromo people usingesema. In a nutshell, palipo na maendeleo lazima kuna kikundi/vikundi vya watu wanaopinga maendeleo, na ili nchi iendelee lazima kuna kikundi/kundi la watu lazima liburuzwe kwani unaweza kukuta lenyewe haliewi linapopelekwa na viongozi hivyo litapinga kila kitu (kama chama mfu chadema) na serikali itakachokifanya ni kuwalazimisha waelewe kwa virungu, mabomu na risasi mpaka nchi iendelee, na ndivyo ilivyo ethiopia na ndivyo ilivyokuwa kwa USA, China, Russia etc. Mjiandae nyie chama mfu chadema kupata vipigo muda wote mpaka akili itakapowakaa vizuri.

 

[dudus]

Nashangaa our Prez kajifungia ndani anataka tuwe Landlocked country

La muhimu ni kuchukua stern measures bila kukawia kwa aina na dalili zote za corruption kama ambavyo Ethiopia, nchi isiyokuwa na rasilimali za maana, imefanya na sasa iko pazuri sana kiuchumi. Juzi kati hapa tumeoneshwa trains zao pamoja aviation wako juu sana.

Kingine nilichojifunza kwenye hayo mahojiano ni kwamba democracy is among the pillars for development angalau kwa uzoefu wa Etiopia ambayo 80's ilikuwa maskini wa kutupwa ila baada ya kupata uongozi mzuri wenye maono, malengo, na ushirikishwaji wananchi na wadau, leo hii sio wenzetu.

 

[Abuu Said]

Ungejua kinachoendelea Ethiopia kwa oromo people usingesema. In a nutshell, palipo na maendeleo lazima kuna kikundi/vikundi vya watu wanaopinga maendeleo, na ili nchi iendelee lazima kuna kikundi/kundi la watu lazima liburuzwe kwani unaweza kukuta lenyewe haliewi linapopelekwa na viongozi hivyo litapinga kila kitu (kama chama mfu chadema) na serikali itakachokifanya ni kuwalazimisha waelewe kwa virungu, mabomu na risasi mpaka nchi iendelee, na ndivyo ilivyo ethiopia na ndivyo ilivyokuwa kwa USA, China, Russia etc. Mjiandae nyie chama mfu chadema kupata vipigo muda wote mpaka akili itakapowakaa vizuri.

Hilo ndio tatizo la Chama Dola hakitaki kushauriwa wanajiona wanajua kila kitu, ukiwahoji mipango mikakati yao wataanza vijembe. Mfano juzi Mhe. Rais alikua hana haja ya kuwabeza wapinzani ktk ile taarifa ya Tetemeko la Ardhi kule Bukoba alitakiwa aeleze nini kifanyike kuwasaidia Wahanga wale na kwa kuwa alikaa muda mrefu kimya baada ya tetemeko lile kutokea tulidhani angekuja na mkakati ambao ameshauandaa kwa waathirika wale.

 

[Mudawote]

Hilo ndio tatizo la Chama Dola hakitaki kushauriwa wanajiona wanajua kila kitu, ukiwahoji mipango mikakati yao wataanza vijembe. Mfano juzi Mhe. Rais alikua hana haja ya kuwabeza wapinzani ktk ile taarifa ya Tetemeko la Ardhi kule Bukoba alitakiwa aeleze nini kifanyike kuwasaidia Wahanga wale na kwa kuwa alikaa muda mrefu kimya baada ya tetemeko lile kutokea tulidhani angekuja na mkakati ambao ameshauandaa kwa waathirika wale.

Abuu Said tatizo siyo ubabe. Hivi wewe ulishawahi kuishi na watu wanaokudharau kwa sababu wao wanajiona ndiyo kila kitu? Hali ya sasa ndivyo ilivyo. Na siasa za hivyo zimeasisiwa na chama mfu chadema. Walimdharau sana Mh. JK. Walimtukana na kumdharirisha kwa kila namna, na wao chama mfu walijiona ndiyo wana haki pekee ya kuongoza hii nchi. Kibaya zaidi walisambaza unafiki na uongo kwa sehemu kubwa ya watanzania. Sasa vita iko kwa Mh. Magufuli. watu wa ile kanda (wale wa chadema) wanamuona msukuma Mh Magufuli hafai kuwa rais. Wale wa ile kanda (wale wa chadema) wanaona fursa za kuiba zimebanwa kila kona. Wanamtukana rais kila kukicha, kila jambo analolifanya kwao ni matusi na kejeli. Kwa ufupi hata ningekuwa mimi rais ningewatukana tu na lazima ningewatia adabu! Na bahati yao hawakuandamana Septemba mosi maana hapo ndipo wangetambua rais ni nani.

 

[Abuu Said]

Abuu Said tatizo siyo ubabe. Hivi wewe ulishawahi kuishi na watu wanaokudharau kwa sababu wao wanajiona ndiyo kila kitu? Hali ya sasa ndivyo ilivyo. Na siasa za hivyo zimeasisiwa na chama mfu chadema. Walimdharau sana Mh. JK. Walimtukana na kumdharirisha kwa kila namna, na wao chama mfu walijiona ndiyo wana haki pekee ya kuongoza hii nchi. Kibaya zaidi walisambaza unafiki na uongo kwa sehemu kubwa ya watanzania. Sasa vita iko kwa Mh. Magufuli. watu wa ile kanda (wale wa chadema) wanamuona msukuma Mh Magufuli hafai kuwa rais. Wale wa ile kanda (wale wa chadema) wanaona fursa za kuiba zimebanwa kila kona. Wanamtukana rais kila kukicha, kila jambo analolifanya kwao ni matusi na kejeli. Kwa ufupi hata ningekuwa mimi rais ningewatukana tu na lazima ningewatia adabu! Na bahati yao hawakuandamana Septemba mosi maana hapo ndipo wangetambua rais ni nani.

Hakuna kiongozi asiye kashifiwa Duniani, unachotakiwa kuwa mpole na kuwaonesha kwa Vitendo sio kujibidhishana nao...Rais ni km Baba sisi wananchi including wapinzani ni km watoto sasa unaonaje Baba akiwa anajibishana na watoto wake? Did it make sense??...
Lazma ukae chini uongee kwa upole hata kama wakikukosoa sehemu, hizo ndizo changamoto za uongozi na hapo ndipo inaonesha unaishi na watu wenye upeo wa akili.

 

[Black Sniper]

Tangu we are the world uimbwe mpaka sasa Ethiopia walijiwekea mikakati mingi la kuhakikisha wanaigeuza ardhi ya ukame na kuwa kijani. Kweli wamefanikisha sana na hata kuweza kuhamisha mamilioni ya tons za mchanga na kulima na kupanda miti mingi na kuifanya ardhi kuwa ya kilimo.
Penye nia pana njia na wananchi ndio wa kuijenga nchi ingawa sisi huku mfereji wa maji utupie wewe uchafu halafu mitaro ikiziba unasema serikali haitujali mpaka tunapata kipindupindi, kwa kweli tubaki na 1% yetu ya kufikiri

 

[Mudawote]

Hakuna kiongozi asiye kashifiwa Duniani, unachotakiwa kuwa mpole na kuwaonesha kwa Vitendo sio kujibidhishana nao...Rais ni km Baba sisi wananchi including wapinzani ni km watoto sasa unaonaje Baba akiwa anajibishana na watoto wake? Did it make sense??...
Lazma ukae chini uongee kwa upole hata kama wakikukosoa sehemu, hizo ndizo changamoto za uongozi na hapo ndipo inaonesha unaishi na watu wenye upeo wa akili.

Kama unalitambua hilo basi chama mfu chenu kinatakiw kiwe na adabu. Baba huwa mpole pale ambapo watoto wanajiheshimu, ila hujibu mapigo pale watoto wanapokuwa waropokaji. Na kibaya kama baba kawa mpole kwa miaka mingi lazima awatie adabu hao watoto

 

[Abuu Said]

Tangu we are the world uimbwe mpaka sasa Ethiopia walijiwekea mikakati mingi la kuhakikisha wanaigeuza ardhi ya ukame na kuwa kijani. Kweli wamefanikisha sana na hata kuweza kuhamisha mamilioni ya tons za mchanga na kulima na kupanda miti mingi na kuifanya ardhi kuwa ya kilimo.
Penye nia pana njia na wananchi ndio wa kuijenga nchi ingawa sisi huku mfereji wa maji utupie wewe uchafu halafu mitaro ikiziba unasema serikali haitujali mpaka tunapata kipindupindi, kwa kweli tubaki na 1% yetu ya kufikiri

Nashangaa sana Chama kimoja kinachoongoza Dola tangu Uhuru kushindwa kujiwekea Malengo ya kuipeleka nchi at the middle class country kila Utawala ukija na mambo yake ukiondoka unaondoka nayo akija mwingine anakuja na Mipango yake hatuwezi kufika.

 

[Abuu Said]

Kama unalitambua hilo basi chama mfu chenu kinatakiw kiwe na adabu. Baba huwa mpole pale ambapo watoto wanajiheshimu, ila hujibu mapigo pale watoto wanapokuwa waropokaji. Na kibaya kama baba kawa mpole kwa miaka mingi lazima awatie adabu hao watoto

Baba anaheshimika pale anapojiheshimu kujibu hoja za wanawe kwa WELEDI na HEKIMA......Baba hawezi kuogopa pale wanawe wanapocheza Varandani (mikutano ya kisiasa) michezo ya kuigiza inayomkashifu, baba atabaki kucheka tu kwani anajua hawa ni kuku wangu wakichoka wataingia Bandani kulala.

 

[GhostRyder1]

Hakuna kiongozi asiye kashifiwa Duniani, unachotakiwa kuwa mpole na kuwaonesha kwa Vitendo sio kujibidhishana nao...Rais ni km Baba sisi wananchi including wapinzani ni km watoto sasa unaonaje Baba akiwa anajibishana na watoto wake? Did it make sense??...
Lazma ukae chini uongee kwa upole hata kama wakikukosoa sehemu, hizo ndizo changamoto za uongozi na hapo ndipo inaonesha unaishi na watu wenye upeo wa akili.

Mh Rais awamu ya nne Dr JK aliongea kwa upole mkawa mnamtukana na kumdhihaki kila kukicha.Tulieni mwanaume awanyooshe Ngeke nyinyi. Watu wa kanda ya Ziwa hawapindishi maneno. Leteni upyumpu mkione. Watanzania tunataka maendeleo...nyie mnatuletea siasa za kiuharakati. Pelekeni hizo siasa kwenye ukanda wenu ambao vijana kutwa wanashinda wanakunywa viroba na kubwia ugoro.

 

[sebajohn]

Mh Rais awamu ya nne Dr JK aliongea kwa upole mkawa mnamtukana na kumdhihaki kila kukicha.Tulieni mwanaume awanyooshe Ngeke nyinyi. Watu wa kanda ya Ziwa hawapindishi maneno. Leteni upyumpu mkione. Watanzania tunataka maendeleo...nyie mnatuletea siasa za kiuharakati. Pelekeni hizo siasa kwenye ukanda wenu ambao vijana kutwa wanashinda wanakunywa viroba na kubwia ugoro.

Ndugu kuwa mpole na Hayo maneno!

 

[GhostRyder1]

Ndugu kuwa mpole na Hayo maneno!

Na nisipokuwa mpole????? Labda utafanya nini kwa mfano?

 

[Abuu Said]

Mh Rais awamu ya nne Dr JK aliongea kwa upole mkawa mnamtukana na kumdhihaki kila kukicha.Tulieni mwanaume awanyooshe Ngeke nyinyi. Watu wa kanda ya Ziwa hawapindishi maneno. Leteni upyumpu mkione. Watanzania tunataka maendeleo...nyie mnatuletea siasa za kiuharakati. Pelekeni hizo siasa kwenye ukanda wenu ambao vijana kutwa wanashinda wanakunywa viroba na kubwia ugoro.

Tunaishi kwenye nchi ya Democrasia uhuru wa kuongea kwa mtu yoyote na kutoa mawazo yake vile anavyojisikia nilisikitika sana pale wanachama wa ACT WAZALENDO walivyo zuiwa kuitisha mkutano wao kuzungumzia Bajeti iliyopitishwa kwa mwaka huu Serikali ikiwa inaogopa kurekebishwa na kupewa mawazo mengine ya kiutendaji...
GhostRyder1 ukae ukijua kwamba Kiburi hakiwezi kuleta maendeleo ya nchi Wapinzani wapo kwa ajili ya kuirekebisha Serikali.

 

[Abuu Said]

Ndugu kuwa mpole na Hayo maneno!

Huyu itakuwa ni mtu wa Kanda ya Ziwa fani yao ni kuvaa magwanda na kutoa amri kwa watu hawawezi kuishi na watu vizuri wanafaa wakae huko mipakani kulinda nchi.

 

[GhostRyder1]

Huyu itakuwa ni mtu wa Kanda ya Ziwa fani yao ni kuvaa magwanda na kutoa amri kwa watu hawawezi kuishi na watu vizuri wanafaa wakae huko mipakani kulinda nchi.

Naona elimu yako ya madrasa haijakusaidia busara na ustaarabu.

 

[Clara Daud]

Ungejua kinachoendelea Ethiopia kwa oromo people usingesema. In a nutshell, palipo na maendeleo lazima kuna kikundi/vikundi vya watu wanaopinga maendeleo, na ili nchi iendelee lazima kuna kikundi/kundi la watu lazima liburuzwe kwani unaweza kukuta lenyewe haliewi linapopelekwa na viongozi hivyo litapinga kila kitu (kama chama mfu chadema) na serikali itakachokifanya ni kuwalazimisha waelewe kwa virungu, mabomu na risasi mpaka nchi iendelee, na ndivyo ilivyo ethiopia na ndivyo ilivyokuwa kwa USA, China, Russia etc. Mjiandae nyie chama mfu chadema kupata vipigo muda wote mpaka akili itakapowakaa vizuri.

Ndoto za mchana upinzani sikuzote is there to challenge u guys and it will always do na ndo mana mnawagwaya .Mlishabembelezwa sana almost 50yrs na maendeleo ni ndoto so unadhani hii miaka kumi ya mbwembwe kuna kipwa.Endeleeni kuota mchana.