African Leadership Magazine, a platform dedicated to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and development across the continent, has awarded Girma Amente(PhD), Ethiopia’s former Minister of Agriculture African Agricultural Development Leader of the Year 2025 at its 15th Persons of the Year ceremony.
Ethiopia has won African Leadership Magazine Awards in Three Categories
African Leadership Magazine Honors Ethiopia’s Girma Amente (PhD) as the 2025 African Agricultural Development Leader of the Year
The African Leadership Magazine has selected four Ethiopian nominees in four categories for the year 2025. The categories include, African Public Sector Leader of the Year: Debele Kabeta – Commissioner, Ethiopian Customs Commission, Africa Public Health Champion of the Year: Mekdes Daba (PhD) – Minister of Health, Ethiopia, Africa Agricultural Development Leader of the Year: Girma Amente (PhD) – Former Minister of Agriculture, Ethiopia, Africa Philanthropist of the Year: Samuel Tafesse – Founder, Sunshine Investment Group, Ethiopia
Girma was honored for his remarkable leadership in advancing food security, modernizing agricultural systems, and empowering farming communities. His contributions have led to tangible progress in Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation and have had a positive impact across the continent.
During his tenure as Minister of Agriculture, Girma oversaw major irrigation expansion projects, nationwide fertilizer distribution program, implementation of Ethiopia’s Digital Agriculture Roadmap
The Ex-Minister also championed the Green Legacy Initiative, which resulted in the planting of millions of tree seedlings nationwide. Girma represented Ethiopia on global platforms, including sessions with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Geneva.
Beyond the agriculture ministry, Girma has held several key leadership roles in both federal and regional government. His previous positions include Head of the Oromia Housing and Urban Development Bureau, Coordinator of the Oromia Infrastructure Cluster, and Membership on the Board of the Development Bank of Ethiopia (as of February 2024).
Girma holds a BSc in Forestry from Haramaya University, an MSc in Production Forestry from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and a PhD from the University of Freiburg in Germany.
His recognition comes at a significant moment, as Ethiopia host country of the African Union recently co-hosted the second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake.
Girma currently serves as the African Union’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, playing a crucial role in shaping continental positions on trade, development, and global governance.
Moreover, Debele Kabata, and Samuel Tafesse became winners of the 2025 African Leadership Magazine award respective of categories representing Ethiopia.
By Birhanu Workneh
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