Addis ababa: President Taye Atske Selassie outlined a comprehensive development plan centered on natural resources utilization, infrastructure expansion, agricultural modernization, and tourism development for the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, in his keynote address at the joint session of the House of People’s Representatives and the House of Federation today, the president highlighted Ethiopia’s recent achievements and set forth strategic priorities for the year ahead. He emphasized Ethiopia’s resilience in overcoming existential challenges and completing mega projects. President Taye noted the expansion of the Green Legacy Initiative as one of the country’s proudest accomplishments.
President Taye underscored the nation’s progress in harnessing its natural resources, marking the first-ever extraction of liquefied natural gas. He described the successful completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a national expression of determination and
self-reliance.
Looking ahead, President Taye announced a series of major initiatives aimed at driving national development and improving the lives of citizens. In the agricultural sector, a large-scale fertilizer production plant is expected to revolutionize farming practices and help the country achieve food self-sufficiency. In terms of energy, a 1,000-megawatt power generation project utilizing gas and oil is currently underway, marking a significant step toward diversifying the energy mix and strengthening economic resilience.
Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges, the government plans to tackle housing shortages through government initiative and public-private sector partnerships. Efforts will also be made to improve rural housing and provide access to clean water, electricity, transportation, and road networks. In addition, tourism development will be a key focus, with efforts to expand tourist destinations, preserve cultural heritage, and upgrade air transport infrastructure to boost acces
sibility.
The President emphasized a commitment to uplifting rural communities alongside urban development. He reaffirmed the government’s focus on critical sectors, including irrigation, water, energy, and transport. The expansion of road networks, air and rail services, and logistics systems will continue to drive national growth. The president stressed the importance of equitable infrastructure distribution to ensure that development benefits all regions.
As part of the broader national development plan, President Taye outlined additional strategic priorities aimed at fostering inclusive growth and sustainability. New power plants will be constructed to ensure universal electricity access across the country, while also generating surplus energy for export, thereby enhancing regional power integration.