Ethiopian Airlines is once again demonstrating their commitment to Ethiopian businesses and individuals. The airline has partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to source locally grown produce and ingredients for preparing in-flight meals for global passengers. In a joint statement the airline and USAID said that the deal “will provide Ethiopian farmers and food producers technical assistance and access to financing in order to ensure they are able to meet the airlines’ standards of quality and volume to serve its customers. These new business linkages will help farmers and local agribusinesses reach a prominent new market and increase their revenue streams – with annual sales as high as $10 million in total – while providing Ethiopian Airlines farm-fresh ingredients sourced directly from Ethiopia, reducing the need for foreign suppliers’ processed foods for their catering services.”
U.S. Ambassador Michael Raynor went on to say that “the partnership we’re launching today demonstrates what’s achievable when prominent businesses like Ethiopian Airlines invest in other Ethiopian businesses and individuals”
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam added “We deeply value our relationship with USAID and extend our appreciation to USAID for all the support. The new partnership consolidates our effort to continue providing high-quality inflight meals to global passengers while intensifying our effort in creating an enabling environment for local farmers across the value chain. We would like to maintain our partnership with USAID on a range of spheres.”
The partnership agreement will run until December 2022, but the deals Ethiopian Airlines makes with local producers and farmers could very well run on long after that date.