Ethiopia plans to plant 8 billion trees in 2026 as part of Green Legacy Initiative

Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed has announced the launch of the next phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in 2026. A total of 8 billion trees are set to be planted across the country during the year. The planned planting effort marks the next step towards the long-term target of planting 65 billion trees. This was reported by Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, a partner of TV BRICS.

The Prime Minister called on citizens to take an active part in implementing the programme, which is aimed at improving environmental conditions. Launched in 2019, the initiative seeks to restore degraded ecosystems, combat deforestation and soil erosion, expand forest cover, improve air and water quality, and create environmentally sustainable jobs. Since the campaign began, more than 48 billion seedlings have been planted across Ethiopia with the participation of millions of citizens.

It is noted that Green Legacy is transforming natural resources into sustainable capital. During the implementation of the programme, which takes place during the rainy season, various types of plants have been cultivated, including fruit trees, fodder crops, ornamental plants, and species used as fuel sources.

Abiy Ahmed linked the increase in coffee export revenues from US$600 million to US$3 billion per year to the successful implementation of the programme. To further strengthen food security, the government is diversifying agricultural production by introducing more than ten new varieties of fruit trees, including special types of pomegranate, as well as macadamia and cocoa. These measures are expected to boost both domestic supplies and export potential.

The initiative is also expected to create new jobs in seedling cultivation, transport and agricultural services, providing stable incomes for thousands of citizens. The government emphasised that these efforts represent a strategic safeguard for the country’s natural wealth, underlining that environmental protection is inseparable from economic growth.

According to officials, the Green Legacy Initiative has positioned Ethiopia as a global example of large-scale ecosystem restoration and sustainable development. The country has received recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and has secured the right to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2027.