The United Kingdom (UK) has pledged a significant financial grant to support Ethiopia’s post-conflict recovery efforts.
UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, is currently visiting Ethiopia to oversee the announcement of a £23 million aid package.
Of this total, £16 million will be allocated for the rehabilitation of former Tigray combatants who were involved in the war in northern Ethiopia between 2019 and 2022.
The UK government aims to assist approximately 75,000 former Tigrayan military personnel in transitioning back into civilian life.
The rehabilitation support includes financial assistance, medical care, and mental health services, crucial for reintegrating ex-combatants into society.
The UK’s two-year program is designed to promote lasting peace in Ethiopia, particularly in the war-affected Tigray region.
In addition to this, the UK government has announced a further £6.9 million in aid over the next three years to bolster Ethiopia’s textile and clothing sector.
The funds will be distributed across multiple regions, including Tigray, and are expected to benefit around 7,000 female workers.
This initiative is aimed at improving working conditions and increasing Ethiopia’s export trade by 20 percent over the three-year period.
During his visit, Lord Collins will meet with individuals impacted by the war and drought, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to rebuilding communities devastated by civil conflict.
The Minister is also scheduled to visit a factory that has recently resumed exporting garments to the UK, marking a key step in Ethiopia’s economic recovery.
The UK’s contribution to Ethiopia comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the country and support its economic resurgence.
In line with this, Ethiopia previously announced that the European Union would provide €12 million to aid the reintegration of former fighters from the two-year northern conflict.
However, Ethiopia’s National Rehabilitation Commission estimated last year that more than $554 million would be needed to rehabilitate ex-combatants and reintegrate them into society, a figure that has since been revised upwards.
According to a joint study conducted by Ethiopia’s Ministry of National Defense and the Center for Rehabilitation, there are an estimated 372,000 ex-combatants in the country.
This figure reflects only the registered number, and officials suggest the actual number may be higher.
The recent surge in visits by British officials to Ethiopia underscores the UK’s increasing diplomatic engagement with the country.
Following the election of new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, there has been a noticeable rise in bilateral visits.
Two months ago, the UK Minister for International Development, Women and Equality, Anneliese Dodds, visited Ethiopia, raising concerns about human rights violations in the Amhara and Oromia regions.
Now, with the visit of UK Africa Minister Lord Collins, discussions have expanded to include Ethiopia’s broader post-conflict recovery and economic growth.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Lord Collins met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to discuss the ongoing partnership between the two nations and the UK’s continued support for Ethiopia’s recovery.
