NewsAECID delegation visits INBAR’s East Africa Office to strengthen bamboo-led development
A high-level delegation from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) paid an official visit to the regional office of the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) in Addis Ababa, reaffirming their strong partnership. The visit highlighted growing collaboration on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable land restoration, bamboo-based value chains, green jobs for women and youth, and South–South cooperation initiatives in Africa and Latin America.
During the visit, INBAR officials presented key achievements of the AECID-funded project in Ethiopia, titled Building Circular Economy and Climate Change Resilience through Bamboo Supply Chain Development in Ethiopia. The project restored 450 hectares of bamboo forests and farmlands in southern Ethiopia, produced 1.38 million quality planting materials, trained 400 smallholder farmers (40% women) on sustainable bamboo management and supported 25 micro and small enterprises. South–South–North knowledge exchange initiatives also strengthened exposure to international best practices.
The delegation was also briefed on the ongoing project launched in January 2026 to promote a bamboo-based circular economy for job creation, economic development, and climate change mitigation and adaptation in Ethiopia and Mozambique. The initiative supports bamboo strategy development, value chain and market studies, bamboo resource inventory, restoration activities, enterprise development and knowledge and technology transfer.
Ms. Monica Corrales, Director of Sectoral, European and Multilateral Cooperation, acknowledged the important role of bamboo and rattan resources in promoting sustainable development, ecosystem restoration and green industrialization. Ms. Inmaculada Paniagua, Advisor to the Director of Sectoral, European and Multilateral Cooperation, emphasized Spain’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with African institutions and development partners for inclusive and sustainable growth.
Mr. Mario Fanjul Benitez, Head of Cooperation, AECID Office, Ethiopia, pointed out that knowledge management, capturing evidence and best practices will help to scale up successful initiatives across the region. The delegation also visited the Caddis Bamboo Art and Craft Enterprise in Addis Ababa.
The visit concluded with mutual commitments to continue collaboration and partnership on bamboo-led sustainable livelihoods, environmental restoration and green development pathways across the region.
