Sustainable Innovation for a Green Ethiopia: Pathways to Climate Resilience and Inclusive Growth

This study examines how sustainable innovation can catalyse the country’s transition toward a green economy, with emphasis on agriculture, renewable energy, and urban systems. It identifies major barriers including climate change impacts, land degradation, weak infrastructure, limited financing, and low public awareness that impede progress. Analysis of climate data from 1973 to 2020 reveals increasing vulnerability: recurrent droughts, declining rainfall, and rising temperatures, with projections of up to 2.2°C warming over the next 50 years. These trends threaten food and water security and intensify land use change, desertification, landslides, and urban expansion. Survey findings show nearly half of respondents’ experience drought biennially, underscoring urgent adaptation needs. Although national frameworks like Vision 2025 exist, implementation is hindered by high costs, limited R&D, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The study highlights successful local initiatives and calls for integrated, multisectoral collaboration to scale sustainable innovation. By leveraging Ethiopia’s potential for green transformation, it outlines actionable pathways to build climate resilience and foster inclusive, long-term development.