The United States has confirmed the continuation of its major humanitarian and development assistance programs in Ethiopia under a newly restructured framework. According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, operations previously managed by USAID will now be overseen by the U.S. State Department, following a new bilateral assistance agreement with the Ethiopian government.
This shift comes as Washington implements a broader overhaul of its global aid strategy. Under the administration of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, nearly all U.S. foreign aid to African countries was significantly reduced or suspended. Ethiopia is among the few exceptions where critical support will continue, primarily due to strategic partnerships and regional priorities.
The restructuring, which began on July 1, 2025, aims to reduce program duplication, increase accountability, and align aid delivery more closely with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests. Regional USAID functions will transition to State Department bureaus, with ongoing emphasis on humanitarian assistance, food security, and health programs.
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga recently confirmed that the majority of the previously suspended aid is being restored. “Eighty-nine percent of the previously programmed humanitarian aid will continue. Seventy-seven percent of total assistance remains available,” he said, emphasizing support for agriculture, healthcare, and displaced communities.
Massinga also noted a strategic shift in U.S. engagement toward promoting private-sector development. “We are moving from assistance to private sector engagement,” he explained, referencing partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing, and support for infrastructure projects like the Bishoftu airport.
As most African nations face steep aid cuts, Ethiopia’s continued inclusion signals its importance in U.S. regional strategy and geopolitical interests.