PM Abiy Ahmed’s Ruling Party Says “Three Million Jobs Created in Nine Months”  

The Prosperity Party’s claim of creating over three million domestic jobs and 344,790 foreign jobs in nine months, as reported by state-owned media, invites skepticism when scrutinized against Ethiopia’s economic and political realities. While the party’s executive committee meeting highlighted “key national priorities,” the absence of detailed sectoral or regional breakdowns for these jobs raises questions about the claim’s veracity. Ethiopia’s economy has faced significant challenges, including high inflation, currency depreciation exceeding 100% since July 2024 following an IMF Extended Credit Facility agreement, and ongoing conflicts in Amhara, Tigray, and parts of Oromia. These regions, critical to Ethiopia’s economic output, have seen disrupted agricultural and industrial activities due to violence, displacement, and infrastructure damage. For instance, Amhara and Tigray, historically agricultural hubs, are unlikely to support large-scale job creation amid active insurgencies by groups like the Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). The lack of transparency on job creation metrics—such as whether these are permanent, temporary, or informal sector roles—further undermines the claim. Critics, as noted in the original report, point to the Prosperity Party’s history of inflating data, suggesting this figure may serve as political propaganda to bolster Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s image rather than reflect ground realities.
The party’s assertion of a 134% increase in government revenue over the same period is equally contentious. While the IMF’s $248 million facility may have provided fiscal relief, the mandated currency depreciation has driven up import costs and inflation, eroding purchasing power and likely stifling domestic revenue generation. Conflict zones, which encompass significant portions of Ethiopia’s population and economic activity, are not conducive to tax collection or business growth. The claim lacks corroboration from independent economic analyses, and the government’s reliance on state-controlled media to disseminate such figures fuels distrust. If revenue growth were genuine, it would require extraordinary economic resilience in non-conflict regions, yet no evidence suggests such a boom.
The Prosperity Party’s claim that humanitarian assistance needs have decreased by 86% is starkly at odds with reports from international and local sources. The United Nations and human rights organizations have documented that 21.4 million Ethiopians require aid due to conflict, drought, and displacement, particularly in Amhara and Tigray. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and global agencies like UNHCR have reported ongoing mass displacement and starvation risks, contradicting the party’s narrative that regional governments have independently managed aid needs. This discrepancy suggests an attempt to downplay the humanitarian crisis, possibly to deflect criticism of the government’s handling of conflicts and to project stability ahead of political milestones.
The party’s assertion of a “return of peace” is similarly questionable. While it claims armed groups are surrendering, local sources report intensified fighting, with Fano forces in Amhara claiming significant victories against government troops and the OLA maintaining strongholds in Oromia, some within 100 kilometers of Addis Ababa. The U.S. Embassy’s security advisory warning of potential demonstrations underscores ongoing volatility. These conflicts, involving ethnic militias and federal forces, have deepened ethnic divisions and destabilized governance, challenging the narrative of restored peace. The Prosperity Party’s failure to address these insurgencies through inclusive dialogue, as recommended by analysts, perpetuates instability.
A deeper analysis reveals a pattern of narrative control by the Prosperity Party, leveraging state media to project success amid crises. The job creation and revenue claims align with Abiy’s broader vision of a “prosperous” Ethiopia but lack empirical grounding. The humanitarian and peace assertions appear designed to counter international scrutiny and domestic unrest, yet they clash with credible reports of worsening conditions. This disconnect reflects a governance strategy prioritizing optics over accountability, risking further erosion of public trust. For meaningful progress, the government must provide transparent data, engage in multi-stakeholder peace talks, and address humanitarian needs with urgency, rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims to mask systemic challenges.

“Furthermore, the Prosperity party made claims that government revenue grew by about 134 percent in the same period”

They counted the increase due to the doubling of the exchange rate as an increase. 1 dollar was 56 birr, then it went to 134 birr. It is the same dollar amount they are getting, but, since the exchange rate to birr doubled, they are saying they are getting more revenue now …. this is so ludicrous