Overview

Since the beginning of the World Bank's presence in Ethiopia in 1945, the Bank's support has been directed towards assisting the country to achieve sustainable economic growth while reducing poverty with over 100 projects. The World Bank’s strategy for the period FY 2008-FY 2011 aims to help sustain the ‘dual take-off’ of growth and basic services by supporting the implementation of key elements of the PASDEP framework. 

Currently, the Bank's strategy known as  Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is structured to support Ethiopia in sustaining high levels of investments in key areas (both physical and human capital as well as institutional capacity building), while addressing priority policy issues to maximize the impact of such spending. 

Specifically, the CAS seeks to support Ethiopia in achieving four main strategic objectives, consistent with PASDEP: (i) fostering economic growth, in order to sustain the emerging economic ‘take-off’; (ii) improving access to and quality of basic service delivery, in order to sustain the emerging basic service “take-off’; (iii) reducing Ethiopia’s vulnerability to help improve prospects for sustainability; and (iv) fostering improved governance to support progress on the previous three objectives and empower citizens, building on the framework set forth in the 2006 Interim Country Assistance Strategy (ICAS).

After eight years of absence, IFC has reestablishing its presence on the ground and has began more active engagement in key sectors, helping growth become more private sector-led.  MIGA too is exploring new opportunities to support investment in Ethiopia. 

The analytical agenda will address the fundamental policy issues which Ethiopia along with its development partners will need to unlock to successfully move the development and poverty agendas forward. Key studies and reports that will be undertaken during the CAS period include the Institutional and Rural Investment Climate Assessment, the Joint Governance Assessment and Measurement (JGAM), Strategic Review of Road Sector Development,  an Investment Climate Assessment survey update,  a study on Decentralized Service Delivery,  an assessment of Eastern Nile Strategic Basin and a Gender and Poverty Study.

To further the above objectives, projects recently approved include: To further the above objectives, projects recently approved include:

	General Education Quality Improvement : US$ 50 million: The credit is the first part of a two-phase Adaptable Program Loan), and will leverage an estimated collective investment of US$417million in additional resources from the Government and other development partners  Around 15.9 million students in primary and secondary schools will benefit from the Program, together with about 225,000 teachers. The Program will support, among other things, improvements in (a) teaching and learning conditions in primary and secondary institutions and (b) management planning and budget capacity of the Ministry of Education and Regional Education Bureaus.  Specific activities include a Teacher Development Program; curriculum, textbooks and assessment; education management information systems; and a school improvement program.  Read more... Â
	Food Crisis Response Program:  US$275 The program is part of the broader Government efforts and in line with the Bank’s and other Development Partners’ support strategy to meet Ethiopia’s immediate food needs and ensure its food security in the longer term.  The program consists of two Projects. First, the PSNP Additional Financing Project (about US$25 million) aims to fill the PSNP financing gap that has emerged as a result of the food price inflation and drought in 2008. The Project would help finance cash and in-kind transfers to food insecure households in 2009. The PSNP has an established track record of providing transfers on a timely basis to food insecure households, through a labor-intensive public works program for households with able-bodied members and as direct support grants to households that are unable to offer surplus labor. The public works program aims to create productive community assets, with a focus on soil and water conservation. Read More... Second, the Fertilizer Support Project(about US$250 million) assists the Government’s efforts to ensure availability of adequate supplies of fertilizers for the 2009 crop season.  This will raise the likelihood of adequate agricultural production next year, leading to increased food security, reduced malnutrition, and lower food prices. Read more... Â
Â	The Nutrition Project: US$30 million grant .The project  aims to o develop nutrition-related behavior, and increase utilization of key micronutrients, leading to an improvement in the nutritional status of vulnerable groups, Through community based interventions and enhanced communication, the project Read more ...