Development In Ethiopia Research Articles

GEOTOURISM OF AXUM AND YEHA MONUMENTS, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia constitutes one of the most significant environmental, religious and cultural reserves on Earth. The study aims to assess the geotourism of the monuments. The study has been conducted using literature review, fieldwork, data collection and production of geotourism maps and interpretations. Geosites are important resources for geotourism development in Ethiopia along the Historic route of Ethiopian tourism. This route is the main tourism corridor of the country in which geotourism knowledge is very important. Among the major geotourism sites in the study area are, Axum Stelea and its Quary Site, archaeological sites, monasteries, Adwa Volcanic Mountain Chains, palaces, rock-hewn churches, and viewpoints. Therefore, the study has concluded that knowing and understanding the geotourism (which includes geosites and historical heritages) is very important for the development of tourism in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Political economy of financial development: empirical evidence from Ethiopia

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to examine the political economy of financial development in Ethiopia, specifically, to test the empirical relevance of the interest group theory of financial development in the context of Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachThe autoregressive distributive lag model to co-integration is applied to Ethiopia’s time series data from 1990 to 2020 to identify the long- and short-run effects of the political regime characteristics on financial development of the country.FindingsThe findings reveal that the degree of democracy in the political system (a proxy for narrow elites) was found to have a significant positive effect on financial development in the long run but has negatively affected financial development in the short run. Similarly, the political regime durability indicator shows a positive and statistically significant effect both in the long run and short run. The macroeconomic policy indicators which are used as control variables in this study reveal significant effects on the financial development of Ethiopia. Generally, the finding supports the interest group theory of financial development.Originality/valueThis paper is the original work on the effect of political regime characteristics on financial development in Ethiopia. Thus, it brings substantial value to studying determinants of financial development as it goes beyond the conventional determinants by considering the role of political power in the process of financial development.

Identification of serotypes of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from pneumonic cases of sheep and goats and their antimicrobial sensitivity profiles in Borana and Arsi zones, Ethiopia

Respiratory diseases caused by Mannheimia haemolytica (M. haemolytica) and Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) have been known to result in a considerable loss due to mortality and reduced production. This study aimed at isolation and identification of M. haemolytica and P. multocida associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats using bacteriological and molecular techniques. Identification of serotypes of M. haemolytica and P. multocida was done using indirect haemagglutination test. The in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity profiles of the M. haemolytica were tested using standard disk diffusion method. A total of 52 and 78 nasal swabs were collected from pneumonic cases for bacterial isolation and identification in Borana and Arsi zone, respectively. Four hundred sera samples were collected for identification of serotypes. The results showed that 17 of 52 (32.69%; 95% CI 20.33, 47.11) nasal swabs collected from pneumonic animals in Borana yielded positive results for Pasteurella/Mannheimia species, 13 (25.00%; 95% CI 14.03, 38.95) of which were M. haemolytica. None of the samples yielded P. multocida. Twenty-three of 78 (29.49%; 95% CI 19.69, 40.89) nasal swabs collected at Arsi from pneumonic animals yielded positive results for M. haemolytica (17) and P. multocida (6). Secondary biochemical characterization revealed that 14 of the 17 isolates conform to M. haemolytica whereas none of the 6 isolates suspected to be P. mutocida were confirmed. Eleven (84.62%) isolates from Borana and 4 (28.57%) from Arsi were confirmed to be M. haemolytica using PCR targeting the Rpt2 genes. Assay for M. haemolytica serotype A1 revealed all belong to A1. None of the isolates with cultural and morphological features of P. multocida gave positive results by molecular assay. Serological assay identified three serotypes of M. haemolytica namely A1, A2 and A7 almost in all of the samples whereas P. multocida serotype A was detected in 78.75% of the samples. The M. haemolytica isolates tested for susceptibility to antibiotics showed resistance against Bacitracin (83.33%) and Penicillin (50.00%) while they were found susceptible to Gentamycin (100%), Chloramphenicol (100%) and Sulfamethoxazole (100%) and Tetracycline (83.33%). In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the association of M. haemolytica with pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats and can be of use in vaccine development in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, further investigations and continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate selection and prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock sector are required.

Toward a better understanding of the environmental impacts of expanding farmer-led irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: an exploratory assessment of irrigation-induced risk of nutrient water pollution in Ethiopia

Irrigation, and especially farmer-led irrigation, is considered to be a promising option for enhancing agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a lack of thorough understanding of the impacts of irrigation development on environment. Past discussions are mainly limited to the water depletion and hydrological regime change effect of irrigation. This paper presents a study to narrow the knowledge gap by assessing nutrient water pollution risk induced by the expansion of farmer-led irrigation in Ethiopia. Using household survey data collected from four woredas in Ethiopia where irrigated crop production currently concentrates, we first evaluate the impact of irrigation on cropping intensity and annual consumption level of fertilizers and then use the findings of the household survey data analysis to support conceptualization of a modeling framework for assessing agricultural nutrient water pollution risk from farmer-led irrigation development in Ethiopia at national scale. We project that overall farmer-led irrigation development in Ethiopia will lead to a gentle increase in national total of agricultural nutrient loadings. This result helps justify the endeavor of promoting farmer-led irrigation in Ethiopia. On the other hand, the projected nutrient flow and nutrient loading growth rate related to the farmer-led irrigation expansion are highly heterogeneous spatially, and risk of local water quality deterioration exists. There is still need to make investment to ensure the environmental sustainability of farmer-led irrigation development.

Measuring integrated smallholder soil fertility management practices in Megech watershed, Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia

Nowadays, a combination of natural and man-made factors has led to a decline in the physical and chemical quality of the soil. In Ethiopia, declining soil fertility and quality that lead to low agricultural production are made worse by soil erosion and nutrient depletion. Adoption and implementation of integrated soil fertility management strategies have emerged as inevitabilities in terms of development in Ethiopia generally and in the Tana sub-basin of northwest Ethiopia specifically. This study was created to evaluate the Megech watershed's integrated smallholder soil fertility management methods' adoption factors, status, and scope. A total of 380 individual farmers were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather primary data. Descriptive statistics and econometric estimating methods were combined in the study. The findings supported the use of inorganic fertilizer, tree planting, organic fertilizer, stone bunds, and soil bunds by households as the primary methods for managing soil fertility. The outcomes of the econometric model also show that households' adoption decisions for integrated soil fertility management practices are highly interdependent. Additionally, there were similar underlying factors that affected the status and intensity of implementing integrated soil fertility management practices. The research concluded that effective soil management policies and programs should be designed, and implemented by smallholder farmers, agricultural experts, research centers, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the quality of soil for sustainable food production. Moreover, raising the affordability of financial services and strengthening smallholder farmers' access to education help to increase their income, which in turn encourages the use of integrated soil fertility management practices.

Sustainable industrial parks development in Ethiopia: Analysis of policy framework gaps

This research aims to investigate the existing policy framework gaps impeding the need and efforts to promote sustainable industrial parks development in Ethiopia. The data were collected through the key informant interviews; survey questionnaires; document review; and observation. The quantitative data from the survey questionnaires was set in to descriptive analysis using IBM SPSS Version 26; and the findings with higher level of the respondents' agreement were discussed and triangulated with that of the survey from the conducted interviews, observation, and document review. Accordingly, the study reveals the lack of effective environmental management safeguard mechanisms (73.6 %); inadequate systems for enhancing industrial parks' economic sustainability (68 %); weak framework to improve social sustainability through industrial parks development (77 %); and weak governance practices including the lack of country specific framework for industrial parks standardization (83 %); weak capacity to adapt to the emerging global dynamism (82 %); weak institutional linkages (79.6 %); lack of contextual mechanisms for enhancing industrial parks' contribution in urban planning (77.7 %); inadequate infrastructure development and accessibility (70.7 %); and poor information management system (67.3 %). The paper can significantly contribute to the field of industrial sustainability in which the findings and the suggested strategic measures can provide a scientific knowledge and information to the policy makers, practitioners, and other stakeholders. In conclusion, suggestions have been given on how to fill the identified gaps within the specific context of the country. Finally, by acknowledging limitations of the present study, the authors indicate some essential future research focus areas which need an in-depth and multi-level investigation.

A case study of ReachAnother Foundation as a change champion for developing spina bifida neurosurgical care and advocating for primary prevention in Ethiopia.

Spina bifida is a serious birth defect affecting the central nervous system, characterized by incomplete closure of the neural tube. Ethiopia has a very high prevalence of spina bifida, affecting about 40 cases per 10,000 births. Babies born with spina bifida require early closure surgery, done within the first 2-3days after birth. Some babies need repeat surgeries to address complications, including hydrocephalus. Without medical care, babies have a high risk of death within the first 5years of their life. Neurosurgical capacity for spina bifida closure surgery at birth is a relatively new development in Ethiopia. ReachAnother Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in OR, USA, started work in Ethiopia in 2009 and has been instrumental in training neurosurgeons and improving treatment for spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Along with the development of neurosurgical care, the Foundation has invested in training multi-disciplinary teams to conduct patient aftercare and has launched a platform for improved patient outcomes research. As of year 2022, they support six spina bifida "Centers of Excellence" nationwide and are continuously advocating for primary prevention of spina bifida through mandatory fortification of staple foods in Ethiopia. This paper describes ReachAnother's efforts in Ethiopia in a short interval of time, benefiting numerous patients and families with spina bifida and anencephaly. We document this as a case study for other countries to model where resources are limited and the prevalence of spina bifida and hydrocephalus is high, especially in Asia and Africa.

Review on the Challenges and Opportunities of Dairy Value Chain Development in Ethiopia

Review on the Challenges and Opportunities of Dairy Value Chain Development in Ethiopia

Emergency and critical care development in Ethiopia: a lot is achieved and yet farther to go.

Emergency and critical care development in Ethiopia: a lot is achieved and yet farther to go.

An Analysis of How the Construction Business in Ethiopia Is Affected by the Rising Cost of Building Materials

The construction industry differs significantly from other economic sectors due to a variety of distinctive features. Construction projects fail with a disproportionately high frequency in Ethiopia's construction industry today because it is fragmented and highly subject to political and economic cycles. However, due to the numerous risks inherent in how the sector functions, phrases like project business failure, collapse, and bankruptcy frequently used in Ethiopian construction. Assessing existing issues with Ethiopian construction project failure was the goal of this study. According to the study's findings, the main causes of current construction project failure are delays in clients' (donors') debt collections, border closures, heavy dependence on bank loans and payment of high interest on these loans, lack of capital, absence of industry regulations on building materials costs due to high neglect in free market and lack of experience in contract management. Finally, realities of the focus group showed that the construction project failure is valid and it represent a step forward in the way of construction industry development in Ethiopia. The results of the research also recommended to that there be an urgent need for an independent and responsible body to take the lead of the adoption and the application of the ethical code and more efforts need to done to help construction sectors to understand and realize the importance and role of ethics professional in construction industry. Education and mandatory training programs can conducted for stakeholders about the content of the market inflation and rising Cost of Building Materials to control. Media's role and research development also is very important. Based on these findings, approvals to all stakeholders are obey for National Trade Industry Regulations that currently work in Ethiopia construction industry.

Political leadership and economic development in Ethiopia: practice and lessons

Political leadership and economic development in Ethiopia: practice and lessons

Trends of human capital development in Ethiopia: a comparative analysis

Trends of human capital development in Ethiopia: a comparative analysis

Improved Forage Crops Research and Development in Ethiopia: Major Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward

Feed shortage has been the persistent problem hampering livestock production and productivity in Ethiopia. The conventionally available feed resources (natural pasture and crop residues) are not only limited in quantity but also inferior in quality and cannot meet even the maintenance requirement of the country`s livestock resources. Hence, improvement in livestock production and productivity is unthinkable without intensification in feed production using other complementary feed resources in addition to the existing ones. Improved forage crops have untapped potential to resolve the feed shortage problem and lay down the basis for intensification of livestock production if properly promoted, adopted and utilized in the farming systems. This review paper provides an overview of improved/cultivated forage research and development efforts, important achievements, major constraints associated with forage development in the country and recommendations on the way forward.

Heritage resources as a driver of cultural tourism development in Ethiopia: A review

Heritage resources as a driver of cultural tourism development in Ethiopia: A review

The downstream impact of the first and second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Water conflicts arise from geostrategic factors that hide behind visible ones such as the construction of dams. In the case of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), it will have a significant impact on development in Ethiopia, but its filling has worried downstream countries about altering the flow of the Nile and associated ecosystems. In this study, several high spatiotemporal resolution remote sensing products were used on the basis of artificial intelligence in Google Earth Engine. The results show that the two first filling phases had no effect on the reservoirs of the dams in Sudan and Egypt, nor on the vegetation cover. On the contrary, significant reserves of water have been stored in response to unusual floods in the White Nile, and the recent trend of increasing vegetation cover has not been affected likely due to groundwater contributions and judicious anticipation, and the provision of resources for food security. In general, the parties must take long-term collaborative measures to ensure effective management and reduce waste, especially in the upcoming filling.

A Web-Based Program About Sustainable Development Goals Focusing on Digital Learning, Digital Health Literacy, and Nutrition for Professional Development in Ethiopia and Rwanda: Development of a Pedagogical Method.

East African countries face significant societal challenges related to sustainable development goals but have limited resources to address these problems, including a shortage of nutrition experts and health care workers, limited access to physical and digital infrastructure, and a shortage of advanced educational programs and continuing professional development. This study aimed to develop a web-based program for sustainable development with a focus on digital learning, digital health literacy, and child nutrition, targeting government officials and decision-makers at nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Ethiopia and Rwanda. A web-based program-OneLearns (Online Education for Leaders in Nutrition and Sustainability)-uses a question-based learning methodology. This is a research-based pedagogical method developed within the open learning initiative at Carnegie Mellon University, United States. Participants were recruited during the fall of 2020 from ministries of health, education, and agriculture and NGOs that have public health, nutrition, and education in their missions. The program was conducted during the spring of 2021. Of the 70 applicants, 25 (36%) were selected and remained active throughout the entire program and filled out a pre- and postassessment questionnaire. After the program, of the 25 applicants, 20 (80%, 95% CI 64%-96%) participants reported that their capacity to drive change related to the sustainable development goals as well as child nutrition in their organizations had increased to large extent or to a very large extent. Furthermore, 17 (68%, 95% CI 50%-86%) and 18 (72%, 95% CI 54%-90%) participants reported that their capacity to drive change related to digital health literacy and digital learning had increased to a large extent and to a very large extent, respectively. Digital learning based on a question-based learning methodology was perceived as a useful method for increasing the capacity to drive change regarding sustainable development among government officials and decision-makers at NGOs in Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Green silk roads, partner state development, and environmental governance: Belt and road infrastructure on the Sino-East African frontier

ABSTRACT China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is reorienting global development. Few scholars, however, query relationships between green silk road discourse, BRI infrastructure, partner state development goals, and environmental governance. This article details the roots of green silk road discourse in efforts to environmentally engineer China's desert landscapes. Much like large-scale nature-based infrastructure projects in China, BRI infrastructure projects abroad precipitate a range of socioeconomic and environmental outcomes. Through juxtaposing terrestrial infrastructure development in Ethiopia with maritime infrastructure development in Djibouti, the article demonstrates how different types of BRI infrastructure projects shape environmental governance and advance the development agendas of partner countries. Sugar plantations, roads, railways, and energy infrastructure in Ethiopia further Ethiopian state development plans while transforming Indigenous people's relations to their land and livelihoods. In Djibouti, port infrastructure and military bases figure centrally in strategic rentiership for the Djiboutian state with ancillary effects on fisheries and international trade. The article illustrates how relative articulations between East African central government development interests, environmental governance, and infrastructure are mediated by varieties of Chinese capital. The comparative analysis disrupts simplistic narratives of “win-win” partnerships and “China as threat” to partner state autonomy.

Public Administration Developments in Ethiopia Under Three Different Regimes

The paper summarises and analyses the development of the public administration system in Ethiopia under three different regimes. The research mainly follows the traditional legal and administrative history approach methodology, focusing on the most significant historical, political, and legislative events (e.g. adoptions of constitutions) of the given eras, drawing attention to the main problems and reviewing them critically. Under Emperor Haile Selassie (1930–1974), Ethiopia was a centralised unitary state in the form of a feudal authoritarian monarchy. During the Derg regime (1974–1991), it remained a centralised unitary state, but with the concept of socialism, the military junta concentrated the power in their hands. The different government and administrative systems are characterized by weak and strong political, economic, and social achievements. Among these is a lack of good governance, human rights violations, weak institutional capacities, low citizen participation, and an (in)appropriate public administration system. These brought the nationality question to the forefront. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF, 1991–2019) established a decentralised federation, whereby parliamentary democracy guarantees a separation of powers with checks and balances and acknowledges the rights and self-determination of different ethnicities. In 2019 the EPRDF was dissolved and transformed into the Prosperity Party (PP). The reform forced the resignation of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party in the Tigray Region, and as a result, the EPRDF split into PP and TPLF. Meanwhile, public administration transformed from a monarchial administrative system into a weak public administration with poorly functioning state agencies; finally, the present system works under western influences. To mitigate these problems, institutional reforms, effective and efficient use of modern technologies, and inter-institutional cooperation play essential roles in improving the public administration system.

Open Distance and e-Learning: Ethiopian Doctoral Students’ Satisfaction with Support Services

This study assessed students’ level of satisfaction with the quality of student support services provided by an open distance e-learning (ODeL) university in Ethiopia. The target population was doctoral students who had been registered at the ODeL university for more than a year. To conduct a quantitative investigation, data were collected by means of a 34-item six-dimensional standardized questionnaire. Data analysis methods included linear as well as stepwise regressions. Using the gaps model as the theoretical framework, findings showed that the doctoral students were dissatisfied with four aspects of the student support services, namely supervision support, infrastructure, administrative support, and academic facilitation. In contrast, students were satisfied with the corporate image (reputation) of the ODeL university. For this ODeL university to play an effective role that coheres with the country’s socio-economic development plan, more attention should be given to the provision of supervision support, as there was strong dissatisfaction with this. The university could also build on or leverage aspects of their corporate image, for which there was strong satisfaction. Doing so will help the university make ongoing contributions and strengthen its commitment to the field of higher education and human capacity development in Ethiopia.

Local Economic Development in Ethiopia: Policy and Practice

Even though the current government of Ethiopia has enacted and implemented various pro-LED policies and started the actual exercise of LED in selected localities since 2009, little scholarly attention has been devoted to the policy and practice of LED in the country. The study fills this gap and contributes to the debates and evidence of local economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) based on data obtained through key informants interviews and systematic review of extant literature and documentary sources on the policies and practices of LED in Ethiopia. The result of the study reveals that much work is needed to institutionalize LED practice in the country. The study also highlights that to institutionalize and sustain LED practice in the country, well-articulated LED framework and permanent LED institutions that are well integrated with the overall local government structure are needed.