As part of ongoing efforts to support the development of the ISSUP Ethiopia National Chapter, ISSUP Regional Coordinator for Africa, Radolf Nortey, visited Addis Ababa in September 2026 to meet with the prospective National Chapter host and engage key national stakeholders.
During the visit, Radolf met with the team at Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO), the organisation selected to host ISSUP Ethiopia. He was welcomed by Elias Kalayu, Esisha and Sara, who have been closely involved in preparations for the establishment of the National Chapter.
The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress towards the launch of ISSUP Ethiopia, discuss the role of the National Chapter within Ethiopia’s substance use control landscape, and consider priorities for building a sustainable professional network. Discussions also explored opportunities for engaging practitioners, institutions and other stakeholders across the country as the National Chapter moves towards formal establishment.
The visit also included an engagement with the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA), providing an opportunity to introduce ISSUP and discuss areas of shared interest and potential collaboration. Discussions touched on strengthening professional capacity and institutional responses to substance use and related public health challenges, including emerging issues around new psychoactive substances and the importance of effective regulatory frameworks.
The engagement also highlighted opportunities to connect Ethiopian professionals with ISSUP’s growing range of international resources and capacity-building opportunities, including the ISSUP Academy and other platforms designed to strengthen evidence-based practice and knowledge exchange.
The visit represented an important step in strengthening relationships between ISSUP, MCDO and national stakeholders as preparations for ISSUP Ethiopia continue. Once established, the National Chapter will provide a platform for professionals and organisations across Ethiopia to connect, share knowledge and contribute to strengthening evidence-based approaches to substance use control.
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