Ethiopia has officially implemented a nationwide ban on the manufacture, import, and distribution of single-use plastic bags. The legislation, passed by the country’s House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR), aims to combat the escalating environmental damage caused by plastic pollution, particularly in urban and agricultural areas.
Under the new law, individuals caught using or distributing single-use plastic bags may face fines of up to 5,000 Ethiopian birr (approximately US$38.70). For manufacturers, importers, and retailers, violations may result in stricter penalties, including license suspensions.
Gemedo Dalle, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, described the move as a “necessary and long-overdue step” in the country’s environmental agenda. “Plastic is choking our rivers, poisoning livestock, and polluting our farmlands. Ethiopia must act now before the situation becomes unmanageable,” he said during a press briefing following the vote.
According to the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, single-use plastic bags account for nearly 46% of all plastic waste generated in the country. These bags are often discarded after one use and contribute significantly to clogged drainage systems, soil degradation, and harm to wildlife and livestock that accidentally ingest them.
The government will roll out a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating citizens, retailers, and packaging stakeholders on the new law. The campaign promotes the use of alternatives such as cloth, paper, and biodegradable bags, and involves community outreach and school-based programs.
Although the ban includes a few exceptions—such as plastic used for bread packaging and water containers—the law signals a broader policy shift. Environmental groups and NGOs have welcomed the move, placing Ethiopia alongside Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania in enforcing strict plastic bag bans.
For packaging businesses in the MEA region, the legislation opens doors to innovation in biodegradable materials and sustainable packaging alternatives. As Ethiopia charts a greener path forward, the focus on regulatory enforcement and public engagement is expected to drive change across the packaging value chain.