Published 2026

In 2019, Ethiopia adopted the Organizations of Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019, replacing one of Africa’s most restrictive legal frameworks for civil society. Seven years later, how has that legal reform translated into practice?

ICNL’s new policy brief examines this question through case studies representing rights-based, humanitarian, service delivery, faith-based, community, and ecosystem support organizations operating across Ethiopia. The research finds that the 2019 Proclamation has significantly expanded civic space by restoring access to foreign funding, improving regulatory predictability, strengthening operational confidence, and enabling organizations to resume advocacy and public engagement. At the same time, implementation challenges remain, including inconsistent regional practices, administrative delays, overlapping reporting requirements, and uncertainty around income-generating activities.

Among the brief’s key findings:

• 10/11 organizations identified restored access to foreign funding as the single most important outcome of the 2019 reforms.
• 9/11 reported greater predictability in registration and compliance procedures.
• 7/11 said the new legal environment increased their confidence to engage in advocacy, coalition-building, and civic participation.

The report identifies practical recommendations for the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), other government institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners to strengthen implementation of the law.

The findings suggest that while Ethiopia’s legal reforms have created a substantially more enabling environment for civil society, realizing their full potential will require more consistent implementation and continued dialogue between government and civil society.

Download the full policy brief to explore the findings and recommendations.