Ethiopia has been harnessing its reputed 13 months of sunshine to ensure water access for farmers across the country. Across five regions — Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, Central Ethiopia and Sidama — approximately 2,000 solar-powered irrigation systems have been installed by the Government of Ethiopia together with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) between 2016 and 2025. Tangible gains are emerging from solar-powered irrigation, with improved smallholder farmer incomes, nutrition and resilience to climate shocks already evident in targeted areas. These systems have helped 3,199 households diversify crops and reduce dependence on erratic rainfall.
Complementary pilot efforts by IWMI and Farm Africa have demonstrated similar achievements with about 182 solar pumps for an estimated 900 people in the Oromia and Central Ethiopia regions, affirming the potential of solar irrigation to transform rural livelihoods and boost the economy.
Yet these successes have largely remained localized. The question now is not whether solar irrigation works, but how to scale it effectively across Ethiopia’s vast agricultural landscape.
Agriculture remains central to Ethiopia’s economy, comprising roughly 34% of gross domestic product, supporting about 80% of employment and generating nearly 90% of export earnings. Although the country possesses 124 billion cubic meters of water resources — significant compared to other African countries — and an estimated 3.7 to 5.3 million hectares of irrigable land, only about 10% of this potential is currently utilized. The agricultural sector is predominantly smallholder subsistence farming, with about 80% of crop production reliant on rainfed systems. Therefore, scaling irrigation is critical for both economic growth and climate resilience.
Access to solar irrigation technologies
Sustainable irrigation systems, particularly solar-powered technologies, are increasingly recognized as critical to achieving resilient agricultural production and productivity in Ethiopia. These systems support efforts to meet both current and future food needs. Solar-powered pumps offer a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option compared to diesel or petrol pumps. Evidence shows that such investments can improve food security, enhance nutritional dietary diversity and contribute to poverty reduction among smallholder farmers.
Recognizing this opportunity, IWMI worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs) and other partners from 2016 onwards. They piloted solar irrigation technologies, developed and tested business models, bundled agricultural inputs and services, and built farmer capacity.
Elias Awol, chief executive officer for Smallholder Irrigation Development at the Ministry of Agriculture, explains that public investments in solar-powered technologies have played an important role in introducing clean energy solutions to farmers. However, despite these efforts, scaling has proven difficult. “These technologies have fallen short of achieving large-scale impact due to financial constraints, weak supply chains and services, and regulatory and policy barriers.”
Adoption remains limited and uneven. While government and development partner initiatives have improved food security and incomes in specific areas, they have not achieved the widespread uptake initially anticipated.
Amare Haileselassie, a principal researcher at IWMI, highlights that the absence of bundling solar pump technologies with complementary services such as financing options to curb high upfront costs, market access, water management, farmer training and after-sales services such as maintenance, remains a major obstacle. “Without these [enabling services], even the most advanced solutions would struggle to reach farmers who need them most. The private sector has a critical role to play in bridging these gaps and driving widespread adoption,” explained Haileselassie
Shift to private-led approaches
Recent efforts in the country signal a shift in approach. Stakeholders from the government, private sector and development organizations are aligning around a new model that places the private sector at the center of scaling. Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and IWMI, and backed by the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program, a high-level consultative workshop in March 2026 brought together key actors to translate this vision into action.
The consensus was clear: that successful scaling requires strong institutional alignment, moving beyond subsidy-driven approaches toward market-based systems that integrate finance, services and technology. Under this approach, public investment plays a catalytic role by reducing risk and enabling financing rather than directly covering hardware costs. Financial institutions are encouraged to develop tailored credit products, suppliers to expand distribution and maintenance networks, and farmers to gain access to affordable financing options rather than one-off subsidies.
This transition also reflects broader national priorities such as climate resilience, social development and economic growth. Solar irrigation aligns with these goals while offering a scaling pathway to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
A coordinated scaling solution
Progress toward this new model is already underway. Key agricultural stakeholders including MoA, MILLs, Agricultural Transformation Institute, Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have validated a national scaling plan for 2026-2028. The plan identifies priority regions, target farmers and delivery partners, providing a clear roadmap for coordinated action.
The stakeholders also outlined the institutional and technical support required for blended financing, which combines public and private resources to lower risks and expand access to credit. In parallel, they have agreed on a structured implementation roadmap for 2026, with defined roles and responsibilities across institutions. About 1,750 solar pumps will be mobilized this year and a national solar pump scaling platform established to sustain coordination.
IWMI is supporting this transition from subsidy to sustainable financing through coordination and technical assistance. IWMI will facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement through the scaling platform, implement and co-develop financial mechanisms, and introduce decision-support tools such as a solar pump sizing tool and solar pump suitability map.
Additionally, IWMI will develop management and service guidelines, establish monitoring and learning frameworks, document lessons, and provide technical advisory support to MoA to ensure sustainable and responsible scaling of solar irrigation.
Together with the Ethiopian Solar Energy Development Association, IWMI will help establish demand by bringing together farmers, public finance investors, and the private sector such as solar pump suppliers and financial institutions.
Scaling solar-powered irrigation in Ethiopia requires coordinated systems that align incentives, reduce risks and deliver value to farmers. With sustained commitment, cooperative institutions, and inclusive financing mechanisms, solar irrigation can become a transformative driver of agricultural productivity, resilience and rural prosperity.
