Ethiopia Launches One-Day Tree Planting Drive Targeting 800m Seedlings

August 4, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia has launched a nationwide campaign to plant 800 million seedlings in a single day as part of its annual Green Legacy programme, with government officials describing the initiative as a key component of climate and environmental efforts. The campaign began early Monday, with Prosperity Party officials and employees among participants taking part in tree planting activities.

Adam Farah, deputy prime minister and head of the Democratic System Building Coordination Centre, said the Green Legacy initiative has generated environmental benefits since its launch, including contributions to ecosystem restoration and forest development. "The achievements recorded through the Green Legacy programme over the past years have created significant benefits," Adam said, adding that public participation has played a major role in the programme’s implementation.

The government said the latest campaign is being conducted under the theme “Let’s Plant Hope” as part of the broader Green Legacy initiative, which was introduced in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). Ethiopia has planted more than 48 billion seedlings since the start of the programme, according to government figures. The country has set a target of planting an additional eight billion seedlings during the current campaign season.

Three hours after the start of the one-day planting target, 200 million seedlings had already been planted. Adam said continued efforts would be required to ensure planted seedlings survive and achieve their intended environmental objectives, calling for coordinated maintenance and monitoring activities. The Green Legacy programme has become one of the government’s flagship environmental initiatives, with authorities linking it to forest restoration, climate resilience and land rehabilitation efforts. Critics, however, have previously raised questions about long-term survival rates of planted seedlings and the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms beyond planting targets.

Source: FSX Business News