According to the National Green Footprint Technical Committee, Ethiopia has so far planted approximately 5.5 billion trees this year alone, a significant stride in the country’s commitment to ecological restoration and climate resilience.
Over 4.3 million individuals, including government officials, members of the armed forces, students, and community volunteers, are participating in today’s tree-planting campaign. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.) was among the first to take part, symbolically launching the programme early this morning.
In remarks delivered at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy underscored the programme’s transformative potential for Ethiopia’s environmental future. “This year’s goal is to plant eight billion saplings, which will raise the cumulative number planted over the last seven years to 48 billion,” he stated.
The Prime Minister further emphasised the long-term vision of the Green Footprint initiative, declaring that the ultimate goal is to plant 50 billion trees by the end of the campaign cycle.
“Our Green Footprint plan is not merely a seasonal project,” he said, “but a generational endeavour to restore degraded landscapes, secure food systems, and mitigate the growing threat of climate change.”
Launched in 2019, Ethiopia’s Green Footprint Program has garnered international recognition for its scale and ambition. Originally conceived as part of the government’s broader Green Legacy Initiative, the campaign seeks to counter deforestation, reduce soil erosion, and enhance biodiversity in one of Africa’s most climate-vulnerable nations.
This year’s mobilisation has extended across all regional states, with thousands of designated planting sites established in both rural and urban areas. Local governments, civic organisations, schools, and youth associations have played a central role in organising logistics and mobilising participation.
Environmental experts have lauded the programme for raising ecological awareness and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. However, concerns persist over the survival rate of planted trees, with critics urging greater investment in post-planting care and monitoring.
In response to such concerns, the National Green Footprint Technical Committee has stated that significant progress has been made in improving sapling survival rates, thanks to improved seedling quality, pre-planting soil assessments, and coordinated follow-up mechanisms involving local authorities.
As Ethiopia grapples with the effects of climate variability, including recurrent droughts and declining agricultural productivity, the government’s investment in reforestation has taken on renewed urgency. Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative is also expected to contribute to job creation and community development, particularly in rural areas.
With two billion saplings remaining to reach the 50 billion target, Ethiopia’s Green Footprint Program stands as one of the most expansive reforestation efforts in the world, an emblem of the country’s enduring environmental aspirations.
By JEMAL YIMAM | KEYIR STAFF WRITER