Ethiopia’s 50 Billion Tree Initiative Sparks Hope and Skepticism

Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative aims to plant 50 billion trees by 2030, but experts question long-term survival and impact.

Editorial Desk

October 12, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — In a quiet corner of Addis Ababa, Eyasu Debela and his friends run a thriving nursery, selling tree seedlings as Ethiopians embrace one of the world’s most ambitious reforestation efforts.

The Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019 under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, has mobilized millions to plant 50 billion trees by 2030. So far, over 48 billion have been planted, with a single-day record of 800 million seedlings set in August.

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Deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change have left much of Ethiopia’s land vulnerable, prompting the government to act. While some experts praise the campaign’s scale, others warn that survival rates and long-term success remain uncertain, especially in conflict-affected regions and areas prone to landslides.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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