By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, July 7, 2026 - Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives on Tuesday subjected Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to an extensive question-and-answer session, with lawmakers seeking answers on the country's economic performance, rising cost of living, national security, governance reforms and infrastructure development as the government prepares for a new fiscal year.
The parliamentary session came after Prime Minister Abiy presented the federal government's 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year performance report, outlining achievements and challenges across key sectors.
Members of Parliament then directed a broad range of questions touching on nearly every aspect of the country's political and economic agenda, underscoring growing public interest in how the government intends to navigate inflationary pressures, security concerns and ongoing reforms.
Among the dominant issues raised were economic growth, inflation, fuel distribution, access to the sea, healthcare, housing, clean drinking water, electricity, governance, mega infrastructure projects, the National Dialogue process and the security situation in northern Ethiopia, particularly the Tigray region.
Lawmakers also sought clarity on the priorities of the incoming government administration as Ethiopia implements ambitious economic reforms.
Despite the tough line of questioning, Members of Parliament acknowledged the government's progress in sustaining economic growth amid global economic uncertainty and domestic challenges, noting that Ethiopia has continued implementing large-scale reforms designed to modernise the economy and improve public service delivery.
One of the most prominent topics was Ethiopia's longstanding quest for reliable and equitable access to the sea, which legislators described as a strategic national priority critical to reducing logistics costs, boosting international trade and strengthening the country's long-term economic competitiveness.
Lawmakers asked the Prime Minister to provide an update on ongoing diplomatic efforts and government policy regarding maritime access, an issue Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly described as essential for Ethiopia's future economic development.
The legislators also raised concerns over fuel distribution, seeking explanations on measures being implemented to ensure transparent allocation of imported fuel while addressing corruption, hoarding and malpractice within the distribution system.
Fuel subsidies remain a significant burden on government expenditure as authorities attempt to shield consumers from global oil price volatility.
The issue of peace and national security featured prominently throughout the session, with MPs requesting updates on efforts to restore lasting stability across conflict-affected regions and strengthen national cohesion.
Members particularly sought clarification on the government's strategy for consolidating peace in the Tigray region, while also asking what role ordinary citizens could play in supporting reconciliation and peacebuilding initiatives.
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The lawmakers further turned their attention to the country's growing housing shortage, especially in rapidly expanding urban centres, asking the government to explain new housing policies, financing mechanisms and partnerships intended to make home ownership more affordable for Ethiopian families.
Healthcare also emerged as a key concern, with legislators demanding concrete interventions to improve the availability of essential medicines, expand access to medical equipment and strengthen healthcare services across the country.
They further requested updates on the implementation of clean drinking water projects and asked the government to ensure delayed projects are completed within their planned timelines.
On infrastructure, MPs questioned why several flagship projects remain incomplete and urged the government to outline clear timelines for finishing delayed developments while accelerating investments that have yet to commence.
The country's rising cost of living also dominated discussions, with legislators pressing the Prime Minister to explain what additional measures are being prepared to cushion low-income households and public servants from inflation and increasing household expenses.
Governance reforms featured strongly during the session, with lawmakers calling for stronger institutional accountability, enhanced transparency in public administration and tougher measures to address abuse of public office. Some MPs also proposed strengthening school feeding programmes as part of broader social protection initiatives.
The parliamentary debate further examined progress on the Ethiopian National Dialogue, with legislators seeking assurances that the government would provide the necessary political, financial and logistical support to enable the dialogue process to proceed as planned and achieve its objective of fostering national consensus and reconciliation.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected to respond comprehensively to the questions during the ongoing parliamentary proceedings, outlining the government's position on each issue while presenting its policy roadmap for the upcoming fiscal year.
The session comes at a pivotal moment for Ethiopia as the government pursues wide-ranging macroeconomic reforms backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, while simultaneously seeking to sustain double-digit economic growth, expand infrastructure investment, improve governance and maintain political stability.
Analysts say the parliamentary engagement reflects a growing emphasis on accountability within Ethiopia's legislative process, providing lawmakers with an opportunity to scrutinise government performance and seek clarification on policies that directly affect citizens. The Prime Minister's responses are expected to offer important signals on the government's priorities for the coming year, particularly on economic management, security, public service delivery and the implementation of Ethiopia's long-term development agenda.