YADAM Convened the Second Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Tekeze Blue Hub Initiative
November 24,2025
YADAM Foundation together with UNICEF and consortium members hosted the second high-level stakeholder consultative workshop on 24 November at Radisson Blu Hotel – Addis Ababa, for advancing the Tekeze Blue Hub initiative as a flagship project to improve nutrition outcomes, create jobs and build climate-resilient livelihoods. The event was opened by H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, together with Dr. Aboubacar Kampo (UNICEF), Ms. Farayi Zimudzi (FAO), Dr. Bernice McLane (AUDA-NEPAD) and senior experts from UNDP, IGAD and other partners, reflecting strong commitment to the Hub’s vision.
Discussions highlighted core components of the Tekeze Blue Hub, including nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, value chain development and market access, women and youth employment, climate-smart water and land management, and innovation and research for scalable solutions. YADAM led the process as convener and technical facilitator, with seven Universities and Light Ethiopia joining as key implementation partners. The consortium Universities include Bahir Dar University, University of Gondar, Woldia University, Wollo University, Mekele University, Axum University and Debark University.
The workshop concluded with partners reaffirming their commitment to co-design and implement Tekeze Blue Hub interventions, strengthen knowledge exchange, and mobilize resources—positioning the Hub as a catalytic model for Ethiopia’s blue economy.
