Ethiopia’s progress towards development goals

(08/10/2006)

Ethiopia is making good progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and has achieved remarkable results in key areas, according to the World Bank’s Africa Development Indicators 2006 report (ADI 2006).

The report, which provides a detailed collection of data on African countries using material from 1965 to 2004, praises Ethiopia for its achievements in education and gives the country a high overall rating.

Noting that only 27% of Ethiopian children attended school in 1991, the report states that address this challenge has involved “mobilising communities, training teachers, and obtaining financing for the effort. One of the results has been a rise in the gross enrollment rate to 77% in 2004 [now 85% - Nov 2006] thanks to annual reviews and a good monitoring system.”

Ethiopia was also placed in the top categories for “policies of social inclusion and equity” and “Economic management”, and did well in the domain of “structural policies” and “public sector management and institutions”.

Under the “Strengthening local government” category, the report recognises decentralisation as “a political choice made by many African countries”, and that such governments are addressing the political, regulatory, administrative and financial implications of a decentralised state.

“In Ethiopia…[the government is] developing the system of intergovernmental fiscal relations. Multi-sectoral public sector operations complement community-driven activities, especially where linked to local governance development.”

John Page, the World Bank's Chief Economist for the Africa Region, said

"While economic outcomes are increasingly diverse, Africa has made near uniform progress in social outcomes, notably education and health” and added that the per capita incomes of African countries are now increasing in tandem with other developing countries.

ENDS