Ethiopia Plants 48 Billion Trees, Eyes 10% Growth in 2026

Ethiopia is betting big on green growth and technology, and the numbers show it's working.

At the 39th African Union Summit, Ethiopian leadership shared plans to achieve 10.2% economic growth by the end of 2026. That puts the nation on track to transition from a low-income economy to a globally competitive powerhouse through productivity, innovation, and job creation.

The country's Green Legacy Initiative has already planted over 48 billion trees since its launch. These aren't just numbers on paper: degraded riverways in Addis Ababa have transformed into clean public spaces that reduce flooding and bring communities together.

Rural areas are seeing major changes too. Modernization projects are connecting villages to markets while keeping climate goals front and center.

The Ripple Effect

Ethiopia's investments reach far beyond its borders. By 2035, Africa will add more young people to the global workforce than the rest of the world combined, and Ethiopia is preparing them for success.

The nation is pouring resources into maternal health, early childhood education, and school feeding programs to ensure kids show up to class ready to learn. These programs create ripples that will be felt for generations.

Technology forms the backbone of Ethiopia's vision. Under the Digital Ethiopia 2030 plan, the country is building digital public infrastructure that connects national ID systems with payments and data exchanges.

Ethiopia launched Africa's first Artificial Intelligence Institute and plans to open an AI university that blends Ethiopian philosophy with machine intelligence. The goal isn't just to adopt technology but to shape it with African values and human-centered design.

The country is also expanding Ethiotelecom across the continent and building what will be Africa's largest airport. These infrastructure projects aim to position Ethiopia as a continental hub for connectivity and commerce.

Ethiopian leaders emphasized that regional cooperation remains essential for economic stability, particularly when it comes to securing reliable sea access for landlocked nations in the Horn of Africa. The summit closed with a call for African unity and proactive leadership.

Africa's youngest generation will inherit these investments in green spaces, digital infrastructure, and human development.