In May 2019 Addis Standard and energy-trade sites reported that the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa approved a $995,000 grant to help Ethiopia roll out a procurement framework for independent power producers in hydropower.
The money was meant for bankability studies, environmental and social assessments, resettlement planning, and bidding documents so private investors could enter projects under the Renewable Energy Program.
AfDB officials said a clearer IPP process was needed if Ethiopia wanted private capital beside state utility builds, while the National Electrification Program still aimed for wide access by the mid-2020s.
Kept as energy and FDI archive, the SEFA grant is a dated checkpoint for how Abiy Ahmed’s government tried to invite private hydro money during rationing years.
Sources: Ethiopian Monitor, ESI Africa