ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter Alongside Host Organization MCDO Engages in Strategic Dialogue with AAFDA Executive Leadership
ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter Alongside Host Organization MCDO Engages in Strategic Dialogue with AAFDA Executive Leadership
Addis Ababa | October 21, 2026
The National Chapter Coordinator of ISSUP Ethiopia and Executive Director of its Host Organization, Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO), Mr. Elias Kalayu Abrha, successfully conducted a comprehensive bilateral consultative meeting with the newly appointed executive leadership of the Addis Ababa Food and Drug Authority (AAFDA), including Director General Mrs. Tigist Bedada Gemachu, Deputy Director General of Regulatory Sector Mr. Enga Erketa Limaga, and senior technical experts at the AAFDA Headquarters.
The meeting effectively accomplished all its key strategic objectives:
-
Official Congratulations and Reaffirmation of Partnership: On behalf of ISSUP Ethiopia and its Host Organization (MCDO), National Chapter Coordinator Mr. Elias Kalayu Abrha extended formal congratulations to the newly appointed leadership team. ISSUP Ethiopia explicitly reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong institutional support and seamless collaboration with the incoming leadership.
-
Promoting Knowledge Transfer via ISSUP Ethiopia: Clear awareness was created regarding the institutional opportunities embedded within the ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter. Strategic avenues were mapped out for AAFDA technical staff and municipal inspectors to leverage ISSUP’s professional training modules, global networks, and evidence-based capacity-building programs.
-
Sustaining 5 Years of City-Wide AASFI & Expanding Block-Level Implementation: The dialogue secured full alignment on advancing the Addis Ababa Smoke-Free Initiative (AASFI) built over the past five years. Both entities agreed to accelerate the newly launched Block-Level Implementation during this project year, enforcing Food and Medicine Administration Proclamation No. 1112/2019 across residential, recreational, and occupational settings. This landmark program continues to be financially supported by our long-standing partner, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).
The executive leadership of AAFDA expressed deep appreciation for the continued partnership and confirmed their full readiness to work hand-in-hand with ISSUP Ethiopia and MCDO to advance evidence-based substance use prevention and public health regulatory standards in the city.
