SDG-3 Acceleration Roadmap

Reaching the global Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) targets by 2030 requires a bold, accelerated approach to overcome persistent systemic barriers

SDG 3 Acceleration in Ethiopia: Building a Resilient Future of Health

Ethiopia has achieved remarkable gains in health outcomes over the past two decades, successfully expanding access to essential services and reducing mortality. However, reaching the global Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) targets by 2030 requires a bold, accelerated approach to overcome persistent systemic barriers.

Amref Health Africa is partnering with the Ministry of Health (MoH) on a strategic initiative to evaluate progress, identify bottlenecks, and chart a clear, evidence-based roadmap for health system transformation.

The Challenge: Progress is Uneven

While Ethiopia is on track to meet its national targets for reducing Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR), and HIV incidence, most other health indicators are lagging.

• Lagging Indicators: Progress is notably slow in reducing neonatal mortality, TB and malaria incidence, and child malnutrition (stunting/wasting), low CPR coverage with high unmet needs, and high teenage pregnancy
• Persistent Inequities: National successes often mask profound gaps. Urban areas like Addis Ababa perform near target levels, yet pastoralist and rural regions face critical shortages and high mortality rates.
• Systemic Weaknesses: The health system is constrained by workforce imbalances, insufficient financing, and inadequate infrastructure (only 53% of facilities have improved water, 54% have electricity).