• CDC
• USAID
• PEPFAR
• Peace Corps
• Defense Attaché Office

The office of the Ambassador’s Community Grants Program was established in 2003 to administer grants for projects that foster community development. Distinct from larger-scale United States Government assistance, these funds support projects initiated by Ethiopian NGOs, community- and faith-based groups, and civic associations focused on small-scale community-based activities designed to bring about tangible and immediate improvements in people’s lives.

The program receives funds from the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program (SSHP), PEPFAR Small Grants Program, and Julia Taft Fund for Refugees, and has granted US$4 million to 300 projects that benefited more than 7 million people in all regions of Ethiopia. The application and evaluation processes vary, but all three programs provide year-long grants.

We invite you to learn more about each of our grants and apply for funding here.    

The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service links U.S. agriculture to the world in order to enhance export opportunities and global food security. In Ethiopia, we are working to expand two-way agricultural trade, strengthen the country’s food and agricultural systems, and provide food assistance.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Addis Ababa provides assistance to U.S. companies wishing to enter the Ethiopian market and works with the Ethiopian Government to advocate for policies and practices that improve the business environment for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

For U.S. companies, we can provide valuable insight into local market conditions and business opportunities. We promote the export of U.S. goods and services and protect U.S. business interests in Ethiopia. We also advocate for U.S. bidders in foreign government tenders, and promote the United States as the premier investment location.

If you are a U.S. company interested in doing business in Ethiopia, please visit the business page of our website for more information.

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia undertakes informational, cultural and educational activities designed to promote understanding of U.S. foreign policy and society. It acts as the public affairs arm of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and engages in outreach to a wide variety of groups and institutions, including the media, higher education, cultural associations, and NGOs. The Public Affairs Section has Cultural and Information sections.

As part of its overall program of bilateral cooperation, the Cultural Section focuses on two broad program divisions: educational and cultural exchanges. Cultural exchanges bring together the arts and culture of the United States and Ethiopia to promote greater mutual understanding between the two peoples.  Educational exchanges both bring American scholars and students to Ethiopia, and Ethiopian scholars and students to the United States to teach and/or conduct research at institutions of higher learning.

Many people contact the Public Affairs Section because they are interested in studying in the United States. You can find information on study at the undergraduate and graduate level through the Study in the U.S.A link.

The Information Section of the U.S. Embassy provides information to the public about Embassy activities and seeks to explain U.S. policy in Ethiopia through media engagement and social media platforms.

The Information Resource Center in the Public Affairs Section also provides accurate and up to-date information about the United States.  The Public Affairs Section manages four American Corners (ACs) in Ethiopia in Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa Addis Ababa, and Jimma.

Please contact us at addispressoffice@state.gov with your comments, questions, and suggestions.

Regional Environmental Office

The East Africa Regional Environment Office (REO), based in Embassy Addis Ababa, develops and implements strategies and initiatives for advancing U.S. interests on transboundary environment, science, technology, and global health (ESTH) issues in a 15-country region.  We work in collaboration with colleagues in the following 15 countries: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Our work throughout the Horn and East Africa takes place in a context of a pervasive threat of drought and its concomitant food insecurity, disease epidemics, and the growing trend in internally displaced people becoming refugees. These cross-cutting issues—all of which are directly impacted by changes in our climate—underscore the importance of working to promote resilience in the host governments and civil society, which in turn protects our national security and economic interests in the region.

REO activities are guided by Embassy priorities as expressed in the Mission Resource Request, Integrated Country Strategies, and by the OES Bureau core priorities of global health, transboundary water management, science diplomacy, and the targeting of bad actors (wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing).  In consultation with all 15 posts, OES and AF/ERA in Washington, the East Africa Hub is working on the following environmental priorities.

1. The protection of species by combating illegal wildlife trafficking:  Follow up and encouraging the establishment to the establishment of the Horn of Africa Wildlife Enforcement Network (HAWEN) to promote intergovernmental cooperation against illegal wildlife trade among Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda (with IGAD and NGO partners).  In addition, our Hub will work with focus countries throughout the region to develop assessments and mission strategies.
2. Transboundary water management:  The Hub serves as the delegate for the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).  Ethiopia’s The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is priority project for Ethiopia’s economic growth but also threatens potential conflict in the region.  Our Hub will work closely with IGAD Member States to support the development of a Water Protocol and Policy as it will be critical for managing the numerous trans-boundary rivers and aquifers in the Horn of Africa.
3. The protection of public health through the Global Health Security Agenda:  Our Hub will help GHSA Phase 1 countries develop and implement work plans.
4. Sustainable oceans and fisheries: Our Hub will help to oversee previous commitments and the implementation of the Mauritius Declaration on marine conservation.
5. Supporting American jobs through support of clean water, air and waste exports:  The United States is a global leader in environmental technologies goods and services and helping U.S. companies advance projects in water, air, and waste will help support U.S. jobs and positive environmental outcomes.  Each of our policy priorities links to protecting our national security, sharing our technical capacity, and advocating our economic interests

Under the guidance from OES and AF/ERA in Washington, we endeavor to advance each of these five policy priorities in concert with ESTH Officers throughout the region through direct interaction with host governments and civil society.

For more details contact Johanna Fernando, Regional Environment Officer at FernandoJL@state.gov, Joshua Amend, Regional Environment Assistant at AmendJD@state.gov and Yeneneh Teka, Regional Environment Specialist at TekaYL@state.gov

The Regional Refugee Coordination Office (RefCoord) based in Addis Ababa is responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of all refugee assistance projects in the Horn of Africa funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM).  As such, the Refugee Coordinator works closely with major international and intergovernmental organizations (IOs) providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons, as well as a variety of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  PRM’s main implementing partner for refugee assistance is the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Other partners include the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Refugee Coordinator also works closely with host-government partners providing assistance to refugees.

Ethiopia was a co-host of the September 20, 2016 Leaders’ Summit on Refugees, which was held on the margins of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).  At the Summit Ethiopia made commitments to improve refugee access to education and lawful work.  For details visit this link.

The Regional Security Office is a part of the Diplomatic Security Service, or DSS, which is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. State Department.

DSS was founded in 1916 as the Office of the Chief Special Agent.  It assumed its current title in 1986.  A Federal law enforcement organization, the DSS is represented domestically and in U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas.  DSS has Special Agents assigned to over 155 countries as well as domestic field offices throughout the United States.  No other Federal law enforcement entity is more broadly represented globally than the agents of the Diplomatic Security Service.

Overseas, DSS agents serve in U.S. Embassies and Consulates as the mission’s Regional Security Office (RSO).  The agents serve as the Ambassador’s principal advisors on terrorism and criminal, counter-intelligence, and security matters.  Additionally, they conduct investigations on behalf of U.S. federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Among other activities, the RSO also is responsible for the Overseas Security Advisory Council and Rewards for Justice programs.

Domestically, DSS agents are responsible for the protection of the Secretary of State, foreign diplomatic missions, and visiting foreign dignitaries.  Additionally, they conduct investigations into violations of U.S. passport/visa laws and false identity crimes.

Experienced in serving both domestically and abroad, Special Agents of the Diplomatic Security Service provide a unique service to the citizens of the United States.  They take pride in the motto “Serving America Around the World.”

To contact the RSO, send an e-mail to: RSOAddisAbaba@state.gov or call +251-11-130-6000.