Addis ababa: The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) held a high-level meeting with the Development Partners Group Heads of Agencies (DPG HOAs) to explore opportunities for collaboration for Ethiopia's comprehensive National Civil Service Reform. This ambitious transformation is integral to the country's governance and national development goals, aligning with the Second Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance highlighted FCSC Commissioner Mekuria Haile's remarks on the achievements made under the current reform initiatives, emphasizing the strong political commitment driving these efforts. The Commissioner pointed to tangible progress in addressing longstanding challenges, particularly in compensation, service delivery, and digital transformation.
To reform the compensation system, the government has allocated approximately 1.8 billion USD (250 billion Birr) within a year to implement two salary adjustments for civil servants. The minimum wage saw a historic increase of 337 percent between September 2024 and September 2025. To ensure the sustainability of such reforms, a Merit and Wage Board has been established to oversee future adjustments.
Finance State Minister Semereta Sewasew noted that Ethiopia is undergoing a transition from a highly legal centralized model to a more public interest model. She encouraged all development partners and donors to join the movement, noting that contributions will enhance efficiency, inclusivity, digital transformation, and improve user-centered service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the World Bank, Senior Public Sector Specialist Vikram Menon emphasized the necessity of this transformation for national progress, stating that civil service reform is critical for making everything else work. The Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement (AFD) stressed the importance of an efficient public sector for implementing broader reforms. AFD Country Director Louis-Antoine Souchet noted that an efficient civil service will help in implementing these reforms and improving public service delivery, while confirming AFD's willingness to support in coordination with the World Bank and UNDP.
UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to the Federal Civil Service Commission, focusing on capacity strengthening and digitalization. Team Leader at UNDP, Fisseha Mekonnen, outlined the plan to scale up digital service access through the successful Mesob model.