Background
Ethiopia is a landlocked country on the Horn of east Africa. Although it hosts the African Union headquarters and is a major player in the international community, the country remains very poor, with an average per capita income near $2US/day. Its population of 82.5M is young, with a median age of 17.
Because Ethiopia’s economy is largely based on agriculture, it is sensitive to natural and economic challenges, like drought and international export prices. Although all land in Ethiopia is owned by the state and leased to tenants, poor water and land management practices have exacerbated environmental pressures. Agricultural development, the widespread use of wood for timber and fuel, and inadequate reforestation programs have led to accelerating deforestation.