Addis Ababa’s Fight Against Poverty: A Revolutionary Solution
Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is embarking on a remarkable initiative to combat poverty by prioritizing early childhood development (ECD). Recognizing the critical importance of the first few years in shaping a child’s future, the city is implementing a multifaceted strategy aimed at ensuring all children reach their full potential. Spearheaded by Mayor Adanech Abiebie, Addis Ababa aims to become a leading African city for raising children, with ECD at the forefront of its agenda.
Mayor Abiebie’s commitment to ECD has earned her recognition as a standout leader within the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative (AMALI) City Leadership Forum. AMALI, a partnership between the African Centre for Cities, Big Win Philanthropy, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, supports local leaders in developing ambitious goals to impact citizens’ lives positively. For Mayor Abiebie, ECD is her top priority, reflecting her strategic vision and compassion for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
The city’s ambitious goal is to ensure that 95 percent of its under-6 population, estimated at nearly 1.3 million children, are developmentally on track by 2030. Recognizing the transformative potential of investing in early childhood, Addis Ababa aims to break the cycles of poverty and vulnerability plaguing its population. Dr. Eshetayehu Kinfu Tesfaye, head of the Strategic Programs Management Office (SPMO), underscores the long-term benefits of investing in early brain development for the nation and the city’s future.
The Strategic Programs Management Office plays a pivotal role in realizing Mayor Abiebie’s vision by coordinating efforts across various sectors impacting children. This cross-sectoral agency ensures collaboration, tracks performance, and adjusts strategies to achieve desired outcomes. Mayor Abiebie’s unwavering support for the SPMO underscores her commitment to transforming the city’s approach to ECD.
Mayor Abiebie’s ambition extends beyond Addis Ababa, with a recognition of the broader impact her initiatives can have across the continent. Her holistic approach to supporting young children aligns with Africa’s youthful population and the imperative to nurture future leaders capable of driving economic and social progress. Edgar Pieterse, co-chair of AMALI, praises Mayor Abiebie’s unprecedented scope and scale of ambition, emphasizing the importance of investing in Africa’s youth for a prosperous 21st century.
