ADDIS ABABA — The Ethiopian federal government has approved a 2.34 trillion birr national budget for the 2019 fiscal year, officials said, with more than 520 billion birr earmarked for transfers to regional states and city administrations, according to official budget figures.
The allocation shows wide disparities in funding among Ethiopia’s 12 regional states and two city administrations.
The Oromia region received the largest share at 179.3 billion birr, followed by Amhara with 112.4 billion birr, and the Somali region with 51.9 billion birr.
Other allocations include 36.5 billion birr for Dire Dawa, 31.3 billion birr for Tigray, and 30.9 billion birr for Central Ethiopia region, according to the breakdown.
Smaller regional allocations include 20.9 billion birr for Sidama, 16.2 billion birr for South West Ethiopia, 15.7 billion birr for Afar, and 9.5 billion birr for Benishangul-Gumuz.
Gambella and Harari regions received 6.9 billion birr and 3.9 billion birr, respectively, while the Addis Ababa city administration was allocated 74 million birr, according to the data.
The federal government said the budget is intended to support development programs, public services, and fiscal transfers to regional administrations under Ethiopia’s federal system.
The budget has been sent for further parliamentary approval, officials added.
Find more news and analyses on Africa on the Horn Africa News website
