Ethiopia to Adopt India’s NRLM Model for Poverty Alleviation

A high-level Ethiopian delegation has concluded a week-long visit to India aimed at studying the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The visit, facilitated by India’s Ministry of Rural Development, focused on understanding India’s innovative approaches to poverty reduction and women’s empowerment.

Learning from India’s Livelihood Mission

The Ethiopian delegates observed how NRLM has empowered millions of rural women through self-help groups (SHGs), bank linkages, and entrepreneurship initiatives. They praised the flexibility of the mission’s design, which adapts to diverse local needs. Ethiopian officials expressed a strong interest in replicating similar frameworks within their Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), their flagship social protection initiative.

Collaborative Development and Knowledge Exchange

During the wrap-up session in New Delhi, senior representatives from both nations and the World Bank underscored the importance of government leadership and private sector partnerships in achieving sustainable livelihood transformation. The delegates appreciated India’s structured approach to capacity building, community engagement, and institutional convergence—elements seen as crucial for Ethiopia’s developmental roadmap.

Empowering Women through Community Institutions

The Ethiopian team showed particular interest in India’s ‘sakhis’—local women facilitators providing last-mile delivery of services. They also studied initiatives linking rural women’s groups with formal banking systems, which have enhanced financial inclusion. The delegation noted that empowering women through collective action not only boosts family income but strengthens entire communities.

Exam Oriented Facts

• DAY-NRLM was launched by India’s Ministry of Rural Development in 2011 to promote self-employment and women’s empowerment in rural areas.
• Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) is one of Africa’s largest social protection programmes, initiated in 2005.
• The World Bank supports both NRLM and PSNP in improving livelihood resilience and social inclusion.
• ‘Sakhis’ in NRLM serve as grassroots change agents, helping women access credit, training, and government schemes.

India-Ethiopia Development Partnership

The Ethiopian Ambassador to India emphasised the enduring friendship between the two nations and called for deepened collaboration in social and digital sectors. Recognising India’s global leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure, he advocated adopting similar tools to modernise Ethiopia’s welfare systems. The visit marked a new chapter in South-South cooperation, highlighting shared goals of inclusive growth and gender equality.