Cooperatives in Ethiopia's Afar region have effectively stabilized the market, according to the regional Cooperatives Expansion and Agency. Agency director Ato Abdu Hasan Yayu stated they create numerous jobs and provide affordable products. The effort has exceeded revenue targets significantly.
Addis Ababa, April 22, 2026 — The 1,181 basic cooperatives operating in Ethiopia's Afar region are providing products and services that create numerous jobs, according to Ato Abdu Hasan Yayu, director of the Afar Region Cooperatives Expansion and Agency, in a statement to Fana Media Corporation.
These cooperatives stabilize the market by offering various products at affordable prices, the director said. They particularly supply small ruminants, fish, milk, honey, vegetables, tomatoes, chat, and other supplementary items.
In the current budget year, the cooperatives have generated revenue exceeding their target by more than 2.9 billion Birr. A reform introduced two years ago has driven 158 percent growth when comparing this year's first nine months' performance to the previous year.