Power for Food Partnership launches in Ethiopia

SNV Ethiopia, partners, and government ministries gathered on 9 December 2025 at Zero Zero Point inside the Adwa Victory Museum to formally launch the Power for Food Partnership in Ethiopia. The coalition in Ethiopia spans government ministries, private sector actors, and civil society organisations: Ethiopia Solar Energy Development Association (ESEDA), Farm Radio International, Food and Land Use Coalition, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and Energy, Policy Studies Institute, PRECISE, PULA, Sasakawa Africa Association, Wageningen University and Research, World Resources Institute (WRI) Africa, and World Vegetable Center.

The launch brought together all partners who are committed to advancing Ethiopia's food systems through the regenerative agriculture and productive use of renewable energy nexus. Ethiopia faces significant and interconnected pressures: soil degradation, erratic rainfall, and limited access to clean energy continue to constrain smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises across the country. In Ethiopia, the Partnership will promote inclusive livelihoods through solar-powered irrigation and processing, empower local actors and institutions, and scale sustainable farming practices by 2030. By integrating regenerative agriculture with renewable energy solutions, the Partnership seeks to strengthen food security, climate resilience, and economic opportunity for rural communities.

A defining moment of the launch was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Water and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, and SNV Ethiopia, formalising the commitment to work together across food and energy systems. This was followed by a partnership signing among implementing organisations, with partners placing their signatures and flags on the commitment board as a symbol of shared purpose.

Reflections from both ministries underlined the strategic importance of the Partnership in advancing national priorities related to climate resilience, food security, and green growth, reinforced by a message from the IKEA Foundation. An exhibition showcased locally led solutions already emerging across the country, followed by an open question-and-answer session on the food and energy nexus.

With Ethiopia joining the movement, all four countries of the Power for Food Partnership are now active across East Africa. Together, partners in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia are shaping a shared vision for renewable energy-powered, regenerative food systems that are locally led, inclusive, and built to drive real change for farmers and communities. Read more about the Ethiopia launch in this article published by the Sasakawa Africa Association.