KEYIR NEWS:- For decades, successive Ethiopian governments have touted ambitious development goals, often underpinned by generous flows of foreign aid. Yet persistent poverty, structural unemployment, and a heavy reliance on donor-backed projects continue to plague the country’s economic trajectory.
In Addis Abeba and across regional capitals, government offices and social programmes are increasingly shaped by development partners. One ministry is supported by the EU, another by China, while bilateral donors fund sector-specific interventions: Britain supports education, the U.S. channels millions into health, and the World Bank underwrites large infrastructure projects. But even as these interventions proliferate, many Ethiopians question their long-term impact.
“Donors have helped fill gaps, but not close them,” says a senior government economist who requested anonymity. “We still lack home-grown capacity, and our budget cycles reflect that dependency.”
Critics argue that the fragmentation of aid disincentivises accountability and stifles innovation in public service delivery. In some cases, ministries are more responsive to donor reporting requirements than to citizens’ needs. As Ethiopia chases middle-income status, the fundamental question looms large: Can sustainable development be achieved when key national priorities are shaped, and often dictated, by outsiders?