Ethiopia says it is aggressively working to maximize its potable water supply.
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the country’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa (PhD), responded to queries from members of the parliament.
Minister Habtamu stated that groundwater and surface water data is a crucial issue to increase the coverage of clean drinking water.
“We are currently working on collecting and organizing information on the water potential of the country,” he said.
He also pointed out that despite the shortage of drinking water in some areas, the national coverage of clean water supply has reached 76 percent.
Over the past four years alone the ministry along with relevant stakes and partners has supplied clean water to 17 million citizens, he added.
The minister also explained that plans are being made to meet the country's water needs by 2030. According to a United Nation’s data, by 2030, the SDG target is to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. And the ministry has been working to meet this goal.
Whilst, the ministry is finalizing a new Water and Energy policy which targets serving the nation for the coming 20 years.
On a forum held Monday with relevant stakeholders of water and energy to enrich the draft policy with additional inputs, Minister Habtamu Itefa said the water sector is interrelated with the country’s security, and foreign policy affairs.