JIMMA, ETHIOPIA, 29 April 2026 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and Jimma University have formally established a partnership to collaborate on climate change mitigation and environmental conservation. On April 30, 2026, the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Jimma University, setting a formal framework for academic research to support Ethiopia’s ongoing environmental initiatives. The agreement was signed by Mr. Okechukwu Daniel Ogbonnaya, GGGI Representative in Ethiopia, and Dr. Jemal Abafita, President of Jimma University. This partnership focuses on utilizing rigorous research to address specific challenges in the forestry and biodiversity sectors, aligning academic output with the practical goals of the national Green Legacy program.

Formalizing the partnership: Mr. Daniel Ogbonnaya (GGGI) and Dr. Jemal Abafita (Jimma University) exchange the signed MoU.

During the signing ceremony, Mr. Ogbonnaya stated that GGGI is committed to addressing technical gaps observed in Ethiopia’s natural resource management. He noted that the proactive interest shown by Jimma University provides a strong basis for evidence-based interventions. By linking GGGI’s global policy experience with the university’s localized research capacity, the partnership aims to develop practical data for forest protection and sustainable land use. This collaboration is designed to ensure that environmental interventions are backed by scientific findings that reflect the unique ecological realities of the region.

Professor Mulumebet Abera, Vice President for Research and Collaboration at Jimma University, highlighted that the university is already active in several fields related to biodiversity and climate resilience. She emphasized that the cooperation with GGGI will provide additional avenues to apply this research toward protecting ecosystems against environmental threats. The partnership will focus on several key areas of cooperation, including collaborative studies to monitor regional forest cover, knowledge exchange between GGGI experts and the university’s research departments, and the generation of data-driven insights to assist in the refinement of green growth strategies at both the regional and national levels.

The partnership is strategically centered on addressing the technical and research-intensive hurdles essential for effective climate adaptation. By focusing on shared goals in landscape restoration and participatory forest management, GGGI and Jimma University are working to establish a more resilient and scientifically grounded environmental framework in Ethiopia. This collaboration marks an intentional step toward integrating high-fidelity scientific evidence into the implementation of green growth policies, ensuring that national environmental initiatives are supported by localized data, academic rigor, and sustainable practical application.

Media Contact

GGGI Ethiopia Country Office: Info_Ethiopia@gggi.org

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