Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have launched a strategic initiative targeting the country’s coffee sector, aiming to help smallholder farmers adapt to climate risks and evolving European export standards.

The programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and the UAE’s Zayed Foundation, will provide farmers with technical tools, modern equipment, and financial training while integrating climate-smart practices to strengthen resilience and maintain export competitiveness.

Officials said the initiative comes as European regulations on sustainability and quality increasingly influence the global coffee market, affecting Ethiopia’s position as Africa’s largest coffee exporter. The programme also aligns with broader government reforms in debt management, currency liberalisation, and the gradual opening of financial and management sectors to private investment.

State Minister Semereta Sewasew told the delegation from the UAE that the Ministry has consulted extensively with technical teams and stakeholders to design a framework consistent with national development priorities, revenue growth, and trade competitiveness.

The Zayed Foundation will collaborate with Louis Dreyfus Company, which brings technical expertise in carbon management and coffee production across the Middle East and Africa. The partnership aims to implement measures including water resource management and carbon reduction practices to mitigate climate risks and help Ethiopian coffee comply with international standards.

Officials said final consultations with technical partners are ongoing ahead of a formal signing ceremony, signalling a structured approach to integrating climate adaptation and export-focused reforms into Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.