Ethiopia has launched a network of National Agro-Industrial Corridors aimed at transforming its agricultural sector by directly linking farming regions with export-oriented processing zones. Announced on December 28, 2025, the initiative focuses on improving logistics efficiency, expanding cold-chain infrastructure, and promoting value-added processing for key products such as coffee, oilseeds, horticulture, and livestock.
The corridors integrate transport infrastructure, including upgraded roads and rail connections, with storage facilities, energy supply, and processing plants. By addressing long-standing bottlenecks in transportation and post-harvest handling, the program is expected to significantly reduce losses, lower costs for farmers, and improve export quality standards.
Officials confirmed that the first phase prioritizes high-output agricultural regions that currently suffer from limited market access. Public and private investments will be coordinated to ensure that smallholder farmers can participate in higher-value supply chains rather than remaining dependent on raw commodity exports.
The initiative is central to Ethiopia’s broader industrialization strategy, which aims to shift the economy toward processed exports, increase foreign exchange earnings, and create rural employment. By strengthening agro-industrial linkages, the government seeks to enhance economic resilience while positioning agriculture as a driver of long-term industrial growth.
