Greening Ethiopia: Millions Join National Push to Plant 700 Million Trees

Ethiopia made headlines this week by planting 700 million tree seedlings in a single day as part of its bold Green Legacy Initiative. Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019, the campaign aims to plant 50 billion trees by 2026 to reverse decades of deforestation and environmental decline. That day, government offices shut down nationwide as nearly 15 million people joined hands to green their cities, parks, and rural lands. The initiative, described as a national culture, seeks to tackle soil erosion, food insecurity, and climate vulnerability. While the campaign has inspired national pride and community spirit, experts have raised concerns about its feasibility and long-term impact, citing poor planning and insufficient tracking of seedling survival rates. Still, for many, the project is a hopeful step toward reforesting the country and fostering unity.

AP