ADDIS ABABA — The World Bank has expressed its ongoing commitment to assist Ethiopia in achieving universal energy access, highlighting the country's advancements in the sector. A workshop on energy sector reform, co-hosted by Ethiopia's Ministry of Finance and the World Bank in Addis Ababa, served as a platform for this reaffirmation.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the event saw participation from a range of stakeholders including the Ministry of Water and Energy, Ethiopian Electric Power, Ethiopian Electric Utility, and Ethiopian Investment Holdings.

During the workshop's opening, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide underscored the critical role of clean, affordable, and high-quality energy in ensuring the well-being of Ethiopia's citizens and fostering economic growth. Shide credited the World Bank for its substantial financial contributions to the energy sector and called for its continued support in the context of the Home Grown Economic Reform plan (HGER 2.0), emphasizing the significant investments and collaborative efforts required to realize the government's ambitious goals.

Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, outlined the progress made in expanding access to energy, as well as in transmission, distribution, and service improvement efforts, thanking the World Bank for its essential technical support and advocating for ongoing cooperation. Ousmane Dione, the World Bank's Country Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan, lauded Ethiopia's achievements and reassured the bank's dedication to supporting Ethiopia's energy sector initiatives aimed at ensuring universal access to energy for all citizens.

The workshop facilitated detailed discussions on achieving universal energy access, securing sustainable financing for energy expansion, and implementing structural and regulatory reforms, setting the stage for further action and collaboration to propel Ethiopia's energy sector reform agenda forward.