Stakeholder Consultation on Plastic Pollution Ethiopia’s Regulatory Landscape

December 31, 2025

The Consortium for Climate Change – Ethiopia (CCC-E), in collaboration with Eco- Justice Ethiopia, convened a multi-stakeholder consultation on plastic pollution and Ethiopia’s evolving regulatory landscape framework on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The consultation brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, policy experts and environmental advocates to discuss coordinated response to the growing plastic pollution challenge in Ethiopia.

The consultation was formally opened by Mr. Nigusu Lema, Deputy Director General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), in his opening remarks, Mr. Nigusu emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution through inclusive, coordinated and well enforced policy actions, highlighting the critical role of collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and communities.

Key discussions centred on recent updates to Ethiopia’s solid waste management and disposal regulations, with a particular focus on policy measures targeting single-use plastics. Participants examined regulatory gaps, implementation challenges, and opportunities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms to reduce plastic waste and improve environmental protection outcomes.  

The consultation also provided participants with a global update on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process, outlining ongoing negotiations and toward a legally binding international plastics treaty on Plastic pollution. Discussion explored how Ethiopia can align national policies with emerging global commitments while safeguarding national development priorities and environmental sustainability goals.

In addition, the event introduced the Plastic Free Guide for Addis Ababa, a practical tool designed to support policymakers, institutions, business and communities in reducing plastic pollution. The guide promotes a coordinated action across policy, institutional, and community-level, encouraging practical solutions that can be implemented at both local and national scale.  

The consultation concluded with a shared understanding of the need for continued dialogue, stronger coordination and inclusive stakeholder engagement to advance and effective solutions to plastic pollution in Ethiopia. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting policy reforms and collaborative actions that contribute to a clean healthier and more sustainable environment.