The 5th Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Week is currently taking place in Addis Ababa

DAGU Ethiopian Development Consortium team participated in CSOs Week Ethiopia, held at the International Convention Center in Addis Ababa. The event brought together civil society organizations, development partners, and key stakeholders to discuss collaboration, policy engagement, and the role of CSOs in advancing sustainable development and inclusive governance in Ethiopia.
Our participation reflects DAGU’s continued commitment to strengthening civil society engagement and promoting coordinated development initiatives in the Afar Region and beyond.

The 5th Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Week is currently taking place in Addis Ababa, having kicked off on March 5, 2026, and concluding today, March 7, 2026. The event is being held at the newly inaugurated Addis International Convention Center (AICC).

Here is the breakdown of the major news and highlights from the week:

• Key Theme and Focus
  The event is organized under the theme: “Self-reliance: A Pillar of Sustainable Peace and Inclusive Development.” The primary goal is to foster cooperation between the government, the private sector, and civil society to address developmental gaps and promote national stability.

• Government Endorsement
  A significant highlight of the week was the keynote address by Adem Farah, Head of the Democratic System Building Coordination Center (with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister).

  Strategic Partnership: He described CSOs as “irreplaceable strategic partners” in building a robust democracy.

  Growth of the Sector: It was noted that the number of CSOs in Ethiopia has nearly tripled since the 2019 legal reforms (Proclamation No. 1113/2019), which removed many previous restrictions on civic space.

  Call to Action: The government urged CSOs to take an active role in voter education for the upcoming national elections and to support the country’s transition to higher productivity.

• Institutional Highlights
  Legal Reforms: Justice Minister Hanna Arayaselassie emphasized that the government remains committed to supporting the right to organize and express views.

Collaboration: Samson Biratu, Director-General of the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), stated that the “conducive environment” now allows CSOs to fulfill their mandates more freely than in previous years.

Trust Building: Ahmed Hussen, President of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC), stressed that while reforms have been successful, the next step is deepening transparency and trust between the state and the civic sector.

• Venue Significance
  The use of the Addis International Convention Center (AICC) marks a milestone for the city’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry. Having only fully opened recently, the AICC is now the flagship venue for world-class events in East Africa, featuring smart infrastructure and capacity for thousands of delegates.

• Key Takeaways for the Public
  Election Readiness: Expect to see increased activity from local CSOs regarding civic education and fair election monitoring in the coming months.

  Economic Contribution: Discussions focused on how CSOs can shift from “aid-dependent” models to “self-reliant” initiatives that drive local economies.