The African Center for Early Childhood Development has participated and contributed to the high-level panel during the Ethiopian PSNP Knowledge Exchange convening held on June 16 to 17, 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the deliberation, Dr. Meseret Zelalem, the Deputy CEO for the Center, emphasized the Center’s mission and informed that ECD is the Legacy goal of H.E. Mayor of Addis Ababa, including the recent corridor development and the commitment to make “Addis the best city to raise children”. Based on the findings of the baseline study at Addis Ababa, the Center is also working with the five scale-up regions where ECD is government lead program.
She has also highlighted the interplay between the productive safety net program and its impact on early Childhood development and learning outcomes. Moreover, Dr. Meseret underlined the long-term impact and return from investment in early childhood. She stated the policy direction of the country is a huge opportunity for transformation through early childhood interventions.
Dr. Meseret added that the realization of breaking the intergenerational cycle of puberty starts from the intervention in the early years. Accordingly, the cash transfer program is enabling communities to develop self-reliance that can empower the community, which is instrumental in enhancing parental wellbeing and healthy brain development of children with long-term societal impacts.
