Economy

Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions to Enter Safety Net Program

AI SUMMARY

The Safety Net program is expanding to include the Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz regions as beneficiaries for the first time in its sixth phase.

The Safety Net program is incorporating the Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz regions for the first time due to previous challenges involving security, displacement, and institutional weaknesses.
The sixth phase of the program is planned for the next five years and targets eight million citizens.
Priority support is given to individuals with disabilities, youth, extreme poverty households, female-headed households, polygamous households, vulnerable elderly, and nursing mothers.
New mothers will receive 24 months of temporary direct support to reduce burdens.
The Ministry of Agriculture released a draft document in September 2026 indicating the government will implement the program with the World Bank.
A total of 8,495 citizens will gain permanent and temporary job opportunities in urban and rural areas.
Activities encompass climate resilience natural resource management, water supply development, small-scale irrigation, and rural road construction and maintenance.
The World Bank announced a $500 million contribution in March 2026 for the sixth phase, expecting 700,000 beneficiaries to start small businesses.
The government plans to finance approximately 70 percent of the program domestically starting from the sixth phase.