AGP Executive Report

#ትሰማ Campaign: Ethiopia’s “Let Her Be Heard” movement is pushing for real accountability on gender violence, arguing that repeated failures in investigation and justice turn public outrage into a cycle with no consequences. Executive Presidency Debate: Ethiopia’s national dialogue has backed a constitutional shift toward an “executive presidency,” raising fears Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed could consolidate power further. Refugee Response: Ethiopia says it has implemented reforms to respond to the refugee crisis, emphasizing self-reliance and integration efforts alongside rights and dignity. Orthodox Church Tensions: A new look at religion, power, and politics highlights rising hostility and attacks on the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Diaspora & Community: An Ethiopian Israeli teen credits a Federation-funded program for education and integration support, including heritage-linked youth mentoring. Sports & Culture: Ethiopia’s runners keep turning up on the global stage, from marathon wins to major race headlines, while Ethiopian-Israeli cinema gets spotlighted via festival programming. Travel & Tourism: Anbessa Travel wins Ethiopia’s Leading Destination Management Company 2026 at the World Travel Awards Africa Gala.

Women in Innovation: Five African founders from Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Morocco won the 2026 Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Awards, taking home €25,000 each plus accelerator support for ventures tackling healthcare and food security—Ethiopia’s Beamlak Alemayehu backed with Medanit Digital Health. Beauty Tech Launch: Laifen rolled out three new at-home beauty products—Swift 4 hair dryer, AutoCurl iron, and Glowy vanity mirror—expanding from hair tools into a full beauty-tech routine. Sports & Running: Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena smashed the Sydney Marathon course record (2:04:42) while Peres Jepchirchir and other elite runners dominated major races; in Prague, the Birell Grand Prix Prague 2026 sold out with thousands of runners. Ethiopia’s Politics: A national dialogue endorsed constitutional changes to create an “executive presidency,” raising fears Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed could consolidate power. Church & Society: Reports highlight rising hostility and attacks against Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahedo Church amid broader tensions. Culture Abroad: Ethiopian coffee made a debut in Pakistan with the first dedicated Habesha café in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, featuring a traditional coffee ceremony.

Executive Presidency Debate: Ethiopia’s national dialogue has endorsed constitutional changes merging prime minister and president into a powerful “executive presidency,” with critics warning it could let PM Abiy Ahmed consolidate control. Church Under Pressure: A new report highlights rising hostility and violent attacks against Ethiopia’s Orthodox Tewahedo Church, tying religion, power, and politics to escalating insecurity. Regional Climate Action: IGAD’s early warning for the Oct–Dec 2026 rains urges southern Ethiopia, Somalia, and parts of Kenya to prepare for wetter-than-normal conditions that could hit food, health, and infrastructure. Ethiopian Coffee Goes Global: Ethiopia’s coffee brand “Habesha” opens in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with a traditional ceremony and an embassy-led push for people-to-people ties. Sydney Marathon Spotlight: Ethiopian runners shine at the TCS Sydney Marathon, including Addisu Gobena’s record-breaking win and Peres Jepchirchir’s dominant performance. Diaspora Legal Update: A US federal judge cleared the way to end Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopian nationals, removing a major legal barrier. Tech & Child Safety: A major Meta settlement is criticized for offering limited child-safety changes, with regulators pushing for stronger protections.

Ethiopia’s Political Reset: Ethiopia’s national dialogue has backed constitutional changes that could merge the prime minister and the largely ceremonial presidency into a new “executive presidency,” potentially strengthening Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s grip as parliament reconvenes in October. Health & Access: A new study reports kidney transplant outcomes across Africa are improving, with one-year patient survival often above 90% in countries including Ethiopia—yet high costs and weak follow-up still limit access. Global AI Visibility: Research finds Ethiopian local sources are barely cited in AI answers on Ethiopia-related humanitarian crises, with local Ethiopian institutions providing a small share of citations. Sports Spotlight: Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena smashed the Sydney Marathon course record to win the men’s race, while Peres Jepchirchir took the women’s title—another big win for Ethiopian distance running. Culture & Coffee: Ethiopia’s coffee made its Pakistan debut as the first dedicated Ethiopian cafe, “Habasha,” opened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, featuring a traditional coffee ceremony and embassy-led media event. Arts & Museums (Global): Fall museum programming worldwide leans into art that confronts violence and “world chaos,” with major retrospectives and exhibitions drawing on artists responding to turbulent times.

Ethiopian Coffee Goes Global: Ethiopia’s first dedicated Habesha café opened in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with a traditional coffee ceremony led by Ambassador Oumer Hussien Oba, marking a people-to-people cultural push. Marathon Glory: Addisu Gobena smashed the Sydney Marathon course record to win the men’s race, while Peres Jepchirchir powered to victory in the women’s event—another big win for Ethiopian distance running. Sports & Fitness Diplomacy: India’s “Fit India Sundays on Cycle” drew BRICS-linked participation in New Delhi, blending mass cycling with summit-week visibility. Local Voices Missing in AI: A study found Ethiopian institutions are rarely cited in generative AI answers on humanitarian crises, with UN and multilateral sources dominating citations. Ethiopian Cinema Finds a Platform: The Ethiopian International Film Festival and AfroPix launched an Ethiopian Showcase, aiming to route Ethiopian films to global audiences with stronger creator pay. Art as Testimony: A survivor-led art project in Ethiopia uses canvas to explore memory, loss, and recovery after violence and displacement.

Sydney Marathon Glory: Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena and Peres Jepchirchir’s Kenya win the 2026 Sydney Marathon, with Gobena smashing the men’s course record in 2:04:42 and Jepchirchir taking the women’s title in 2:18:31. Music & Global Recognition: Angélique Kidjo gets a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a milestone that spotlights how African artistry is reshaping global listening. AI & Visibility: A study finds Ethiopian local sources are rarely cited in AI answers on humanitarian crises, with Ethiopia-linked citations from local outlets at just 4.9%. Media Freedom: Ethiopia reinstates Reuters journalists’ accreditation after a six-month suspension. Ethiopian Arts on Screen: The Ethiopian International Film Festival and AfroPix launch an Ethiopian Showcase to bring Ethiopian films to a wider global audience. Sports Streaming: DAZN secures LaLiga rights across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, for 2026/27–2028/29. Culture & Craft: A feature on Ethiopian coffee culture highlights how coffee rituals shape family life and conversation. BRICS Fitness Moment: India’s Fit India Sundays on Cycle rolls into BRICS Run & Ride 2026, with thousands cycling at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Modeling & Youth Culture: Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism has officially endorsed Africa’s Next Super Model 2026 as scouting begins in Nairobi, with castings planned across Turkana and Maasai areas and a grand finale set for Nov. 21, 2026. Water & National Rights: “Kings of Abbay” founder Ustath Jemal Bashir says Ethiopia has the sovereign right to build dams beyond the GERD for the benefit of its people, dismissing Egypt’s latest media escalation as political noise. Ethiopian Media & Press Freedom: Ethiopia reinstated Reuters journalists’ accreditation after a six-month suspension, following talks with Reuters and the Ethiopian Media Authority. Cinema for Global Audiences: The Ethiopian International Film Festival and AfroPix launched an Ethiopian Showcase, expanding global access to Ethiopian feature films and shorts with creator-focused pay. Arts & Healing Through Story: A survivor-led art exhibition by Asnakew Keffyalew brings human rights survivors together with local artists to explore memory, loss, and recovery. Sports Streaming: DAZN secured LaLiga EA Sports rights across Sub-Saharan Africa for 2026/27–2028/29, starting this weekend. Marathon Spotlight: Ethiopia’s Zennebe Aberu won the women’s 42km at the Enugu City International Marathon, while Kenya’s Edwin Kipyego took the men’s title.

Ethiopian Media: Ethiopia reinstates Reuters journalists’ accreditation after a six-month suspension, following talks between the Ethiopian Media Authority and Reuters. Ethiopian Politics: The NEBE confirms the ruling Prosperity Party’s parliamentary win after June elections, while reports flag exclusions and voting gaps tied to security and conflict. Ethiopian Arts & Film: The Ethiopian International Film Festival and AfroPix launch an official Ethiopian Showcase, aiming to bring Ethiopian features, docs, and shorts to a global audience with creator-first payouts. Art & Healing: A new exhibition spotlights survivors of violence putting their stories on canvas, using art to explore memory, loss, and recovery. Ethiopian Sports Culture: DAZN expands across Sub-Saharan Africa with LaLiga EA SPORTS rights through 2029, bringing live and on-demand matches to 48 markets. Ethiopian Diplomacy: Ethiopia’s COP32 hosting push is framed as a major step for Africa’s voice in global climate governance. Ethiopian Business/Logistics: Ethiopian Airlines launches a direct Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route to boost cargo links between western China and Africa. Regional Spotlight: RSF claims control of bases in Sudan’s Blue Nile near the Ethiopia border, underscoring spillover risks.

Ethiopian Media Freedom: Ethiopia reinstated accreditation for three Addis Ababa-based Reuters journalists after a six-month suspension, following talks between EMA and Reuters. Digital Inclusion: New assessments say Ethiopia’s Fayda digital ID is boosting financial access across Africa, with interoperable identity and payment systems driving progress. Air Cargo & Trade: Ethiopian Airlines launched a scheduled Chengdu–Addis Ababa freighter route, opening a new cargo corridor between western China and Africa. Arts & Culture: “Shaping memory through ceramics” spotlights how craft keeps stories alive, while Ethiopian-rooted artist NOAH released the dance single “MOVE YA BODY,” blending African rhythms with global pop. Music Festival Picks: Daisy Chain Fields Festival is set to feature women-led art installations across textiles, sculpture, and interactive media. Sports Spotlight: Ethiopia’s runners and marathon stars are in focus as the Sydney Marathon and other major road races gear up, with elite fields drawing attention to Ethiopian talent. Governance & Youth: Ethiopia will host the African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa in November, aiming to boost youth and female participation in governance.

Ethiopia–France Health Talks: Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health Frehiwot Abebe met France’s global health envoy to expand support for local manufacturing of medicines, medical equipment, and oxygen, while scaling HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, diagnostics, and maternal care. Ethiopia–South Korea Cooperation: Addis Ababa discussed green logistics and smart mobility, including an EthiopiaPost green logistics transition project, with South Korean researchers and investors. African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa: The 2nd African Political Parties Summit will be hosted in Addis Ababa Nov. 5–7, 2026, under “Governing for Growth,” with focus on youth and women’s representation. WFP Food Aid for Ethiopia: South Korea donated 2,400 mt of rice worth $2.9m to WFP for 100,000 refugees and host communities. Arts & Culture: Ethiopian-rooted singer NOAH released “MOVE YA BODY,” blending Brazilian funk, amapiano, gqom, and EDM-pop; plus a spotlight on Ethiopian ceramic craft and the return of circus entertainment featuring Ethiopian performers. Sports: Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon set for Agnes Ng’etich; and Sabastian Sawe withdrew from Berlin Marathon due to injury.

Ethiopia–France Health Talks: Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health Frehiwot Abebe met France’s global health envoy Anne-Claire Amprou to push deeper cooperation on HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB, plus scaling rapid diagnostics and maternal care—alongside plans to boost local manufacturing of medicines, medical equipment and oxygen. Ethiopia–South Korea Cooperation: Ethiopia and South Korea discussed expanding green logistics and smart mobility, including progress on an Ethiopost green logistics transition project, with a focus on modern tech to improve logistics efficiency. WFP Food Support in Ethiopia: Korea donated 2,400 metric tons of rice worth $2.9M to WFP, supporting 100,000 refugees and host communities amid ongoing drought and strain on local services. Music Spotlight (Ethiopian-rooted): London-based Ethiopian-rooted singer NOAH released the dance anthem “MOVE YA BODY,” blending Brazilian funk, amapiano, gqom and EDM-pop. Arts & Culture: A Tel Aviv Biennale crafts winner, Ethiopian-born Enatnesh Yallow, is highlighted for ceramic work that tops sculptures with traditional Ethiopian weaving. Sports (Marathon): Sabastian Sawe withdrew from the Berlin Marathon due to injury, reshaping the race’s world-record hopes. Governance & Youth: Ethiopia will host the African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa (Nov 5–7) under “Governing for Growth,” with emphasis on youth participation and female representation.

Ethiopia’s Medemer delivery push: Gondar’s deputy mayor says the long-delayed Megech Irrigation Project is finally moving fast, framing it as proof of Abiy Ahmed’s “Medemer” approach to revive stalled infrastructure and deliver results. Healthcare ambitions: Ethiopia says it wants Addis Ababa to become a leading African healthcare hub, including specialised care, medical tourism, and expanded local production of medicines and medical tools, with public-private partnerships and an Africa Healthcare Federation base planned in the capital. Sports spotlight: Ethiopia has submitted an official bid to host AFCON 2028, but the federation faces a big question over stadium readiness and CAF-approved venues beyond Bahir Dar. Football women’s race: CAF Women’s Champions League qualification is heating up, with Ethiopia’s CBE among the teams chasing spots in the regional qualifiers. Arts & culture, photojournalism: Visa pour l’Image 2026 highlights how reality is fighting back against AI-made images, stressing the shared future of photojournalism and media. Entertainment & community gala: Mekdela Global Outreach Foundation’s “Cufflinks & Pearls” charity gala in Los Angeles (Aug 29) blends Ethiopian culture, fashion, live music, and philanthropy for children and underserved communities. Gaming growth with Ethiopia in focus: EBANX reports video gaming is the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce vertical, naming Ethiopia among the fastest-growing markets.

Ethiopia’s AFCON Push: Ethiopia has officially submitted its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ethiopian Football Federation saying the government-backed proposal shows “full readiness,” though venue compliance remains a big question. Sports & Talent: Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha roared back into history by regaining the men’s half marathon world record in Buenos Aires with 56:51. Healthcare Ambition: Ethiopia says it wants Addis Ababa to become a leading African healthcare hub, including specialised care and medical tourism, plus expanded local production of pharma and medical tools. Local Development Spotlight: Gondar’s Megech Mega Dam project is being framed as a Medemer-era delivery win after years of delays. Nile Narrative & Misinformation: New reporting warns that renewed Tigray clashes are being distorted online with old footage, while the wider Ethiopia-Egypt Nile dispute continues to shape regional politics. Culture & Community: A profile on the Nile through photography highlights how the river lives in songs, films, and everyday memory. Regional Peacekeeping: South Sudan condemned the killing of two Ethiopian UNMISS peacekeepers in Jonglei and called for a joint investigation.

AFCON Bid: Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ethiopian Football Federation saying the government-backed plan shows “full readiness” — though the country still faces big questions about compliant stadiums and match venues. Healthcare Ambition: Ethiopia says it wants Addis Ababa to become a leading African healthcare hub, including specialised care and medical tourism, alongside expanded local production of medicines and medical tools. Climate & Farming Support: The European Investment Bank and the World Food Programme are backing climate-risk insurance for Ethiopian smallholder farmers, aiming to help rural finance institutions manage climate shocks. Sports & Talent: Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha made headlines again with a half-marathon world record in Buenos Aires, while Ethiopia’s runner Kejelcha’s latest run keeps the country in the global distance-running spotlight. Arts & Education Spotlight: A diaspora-led initiative in Ethiopia is pushing a culture of reading by improving access to books for children and adults. Regional Security: South Sudan condemned an ambush that killed two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers in Jonglei and called for a joint investigation.

Sports & National Pride: Ethiopia has officially submitted its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ethiopian Football Federation saying the country is “fully ready” despite lingering venue and infrastructure questions. Climate & Agriculture: EIB Global and the World Food Programme are expanding climate-risk insurance for Ethiopian smallholder farmers, aiming to help rural finance institutions and households manage climate shocks. Arts, Reading & Youth: A 17-year-old Ethiopian student in the diaspora, Lahen Asefa Jejaw, is building a reading-and-book access initiative in Ethiopia after spotting how easy it was to find books in public spaces abroad. Education & Integrity: A new commentary argues that exam reforms haven’t fixed deeper institutional decay, pointing to everyday dishonesty that starts in classrooms. Global Spotlight on Ethiopia: UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned an ambush in South Sudan that killed two Ethiopian UN peacekeepers, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Healthcare Ambition: Ethiopia says it wants Addis Ababa to become a major African healthcare hub, including specialized care and medical tourism. BRICS & Youth: Ethiopia urged BRICS members to fund youth enterprises and scale digital and green investments to drive youth-led growth.

Sports: Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha just reclaimed the men’s half-marathon world record in Buenos Aires, smashing the mark with a 56:51 run at the Media Maratón Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Diplomacy & Youth: Ethiopia urged BRICS to back youth enterprises with dedicated funding and to scale investment in digital and green technologies during the BRICS Youth Ministers’ Meeting in Visakhapatnam. National Life: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent Mawlid congratulations, urging Ethiopians to draw lessons of sacrifice, perseverance, and unity from Prophet Muhammad’s life. Health & Research: Aga Khan University Hospital warned that Africa carries a huge disease burden but contributes less than 4% to global clinical trials, calling for stronger local research and health innovation. Arts & Culture: The Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) announced its 2026 official selection, featuring films from 11 countries and multiple categories including documentaries and AI-generated works. Community & Farming: Farm Africa reports Ethiopian farmers are cutting costs and emissions with solar-powered irrigation systems that replace expensive diesel pumps.