ABSTRACT
This chapter describes when and how COVID-19 began spreading in Ethiopia and the rate at which it is spreading. It discusses the Ethiopian federal system, and the role each level of government is expected to play in containing the spread of the virus and whether and how it is discharging its responsibilities in this respect. The chapter examines how the emergence of COVID-19 is impacting on the Ethiopian federal system. The first case of COVID-19 in Ethiopia was reported on 13 March 2020, a mere two days after the virus was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. In Ethiopia, the federal and state governments both enjoy explicit constitutional recognition. The federal government’s authority to control pandemic diseases emanates from two constitutional sources. Ethiopia has been registering double-digit economic growth beginning from the early 2000s showing great progress in terms of poverty reduction.
