Open Letter to His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia

Your Excellency, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali,
On the occasion of Adwa, we celebrate not only a military victory but a triumph of self-reliance, unity, and vision. Our forefathers refused to accept a future dictated by others; they carved their own path, ensuring Ethiopia remained sovereign. Today, as Ethiopia stands at the forefront of Africa’s renewable energy revolution, we find ourselves at a similar crossroads—one that requires the same bold leadership and strategic foresight that guided us through history.

Your Excellency, I write to you not with complaints, but with an opportunity—one that can strengthen Ethiopia’s energy independence and accelerate our path toward a self-sustaining solar industry.

Ethiopia's FDI sector t zhas taken a remarkable step forward with the establishment of TOYO's solar cell manufacturing plant in Hawassa. A $60 million investment, 880 jobs created, and 2 gigawatts of solar cells produced annually—this is a success story worth celebrating. However, as an Ethiopian solar manufacturer, I find myself facing an ironic challenge: while solar cells are being produced in our own backyard, local manufacturers like Sahanease Solar Panels still struggle to access them.

We are left with two difficult choices: import solar cells from abroad, navigating complex forex shortages and rising costs, or watch as the solar cells made on Ethiopian soil are shipped overseas, while our own people struggle to afford solar panels.

Your Excellency, Ethiopia should not be just a production hub for the world—it should be an empowered participant in its own energy revolution. The question is simple: If we can produce solar cells in Ethiopia, why can’t Ethiopian manufacturers access them?

We recognize and appreciate Ethiopia’s commitment to attracting foreign investment. This partnership with TOYO is a significant milestone. However, to ensure that Ethiopian solar manufacturers also thrive, we humbly request your leadership in negotiating a policy where a portion of the solar cells produced in Hawassa is allocated to the local market.

By doing so, we can lower production costs for Ethiopian solar manufacturers, make solar panels more affordable for Ethiopian families and businesses, reduce dependence on foreign imports and the strain on forex reserves, and strengthen Ethiopia’s solar industry, ensuring we are not just assembling, but innovating and leading in renewable energy.

Your Excellency, Ethiopia has never been a nation that merely watches history unfold—it shapes it. Just as Adwa taught us the value of self-determination, let us now apply the same principle to our economic and energy policies. The sun that shines on Ethiopia belongs to its people, and our energy future should reflect that.

With deep respect and optimism, I urge you to consider this opportunity. Ethiopia has the potential to be a solar powerhouse—not just for the world, but for its own people. Let us ensure that when history looks back on this moment, it sees not just a factory, but the dawn of a truly self-sufficient Ethiopia.

With the highest regard and unwavering patriotism,

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