Meqoamia

Advocacy meeting with officials of the city administration (mayor’s office)
2025-02-28 08:00 - 2025-03-20 18:09 UTC
February 28, 2025; Harmony Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This report summarizes the outcomes of the Advocacy Meeting held for the Tobacco Control (TC) Project, attended by representatives from the Mayor’s Office, EFDA, AAFDA, and the sub-cities of Arada, Kirkos, Lideta, and Gullele, along with MCDO. The primary objective of the meeting was to strengthen political commitment and support for the TC Project amidst ongoing urban development initiatives. The meeting was organized into three sections: an introduction and recap of previous meetings, presentations from MCDO, AAFDA, and representatives from Gullele and Arada sub-cities, and a stakeholders discussion aimed at addressing key issues and formulating actionable strategies.
The meeting produced several important outcomes. First, stakeholder discussions were essential in identifying key issues affecting the TC Project. Participants evaluated the current political commitment towards the project, highlighting the need for sustained support from the City Administration. A significant concern raised was regarding the recent Corridor Development implemented by the City Administration, which has led to the relocation or closure of many establishments, necessitating an urgent assessment of its impact on tobacco control efforts. The last meeting underscored the critical need for renewed political commitment to the TC Project amidst ongoing urban development initiatives. Future priorities emphasized the importance of prioritizing communication, integrating tobacco control measures in educational institutions, and enhancing awareness through effective materials.

Incorporating Kolfe Keranio sub city (KKSC) AAFDA branch, Community in the Tobacco Control Project.
2025-09-19 08:00 - 2025-10-02 17:00
The September 19, 2025, meeting between AAFDA, Kolfe Keranio sub city (KKSC) AAFDA branch, and MCDO marked the official inclusion of KKSC in the Tobacco Control (TC) Project. The primary goals are to create smoke-free zones, engage youth in prevention efforts, and address illicit cigarette trade. Three blocks within KKSC will be designated as smoke-free, and youth will be actively involved in anti-smoking campaigns and prevention training. These initiatives aim to reduce smoking rates, particularly among younger populations, and foster healthier, tobacco-free environments in the community. To ensure long-term success, the project will focus on community ownership and sustainability through capacity building and local leadership AAFDA, MCDO and KKSC AAFDA branch, which has created a donor account to support the initiative, are committed to providing continuous resources and training. The meeting also highlighted the importance of integrating drug prevention training as part of the broader health education efforts in KK. This comprehensive approach is designed to create a lasting impact on public health, with KK serving as a model for other communities.

Strengthening Tobacco Control Implementation and Sustainability through CSO Engagement and Strategic Alignment.
2025-09-29 08:00 - 17:00
On September 29, 2025, a coordination meeting was held at the MCDO Office with key stakeholders, including MWECS, HDAMA, CTFK, and MCDO, to discuss the Tobacco Control (TC) Project’s progress and strategy for sustainability. Key topics included reviewing the integration of the block structure with TC implementation, enhancing multi-stakeholder collaboration, and addressing the project’s current dormant phase. Despite limited resources, CSOs, especially CTFK, have made significant contributions, and the importance of diversifying funding sources was emphasized. To ensure long-term sustainability, the group recommended mainstreaming TC inspections into health systems, developing context-specific tools, and aiming for 85% activity implementation by November 2025. A joint advocacy event will be organized with MWECS and MCDO to engage key government officials, ensuring stronger institutional support for the TC project. Moving forward, revitalizing the project through strategic planning, partnerships, and resource mobilization is essential to achieving its goals.

High-level Advocacy Meetings with City Leadership, EFDA, AAFDA, and CSOs
2026-02-23 08:00 - 2026-04-08 14:00
Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) conducted a high-level advocacy meeting with key decision-makers, including the Addis Ababa Mayor’s Office, the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA), the Addis Ababa Food and Drug Authority (AAFDA), the Police Commission, Sub-city Administrators, Sub-city key tobacco focal persons, and leading civil society organizations. These meetings, held in February 23,2026, aimed to strengthen political commitment and institutional coordination to achieve and sustain at least 90% compliance with Smoke-Free Environment (SFE) and Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) provisions under Proclamation No. 1112/2019. During the sessions, MCDO presented updated compliance data, identified enforcement gaps particularly in the previous sub cities (namely Kirkos and Lideta) and proposed integrated joint inspection mechanisms under the Addis Ababa Smoke-Free Initiative on Kolfe-keranio, Gullele, and Arada sub cities.

Sub-city Tobacco Control Integration Workshops with Arada, Lideta, Kirkos, Gullele, and Kolfe-Keranio Sub-cities Cabinets, in Addis Ababa
2026-04-06 08:00 - 2026-04-08 17:00 | Tracon Addis Hotel,
Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) News
Tracon Addis Hotel, Addis Ababa March 6, 2026 Kirkos Sub-City

As part of the project titled “Support the achievement of 90% compliance with Smoke-Free Environment (SFE) regulations and effective enforcement of Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) bans in Addis Ababa,” Meqoamia Community Development Organization (MCDO) conducted Sub-city Tobacco Control Integration Workshops with cabinet members of Arada, Lideta, Kirkos, Gullele, and Kolfe-Keranio sub-cities. These workshops were organized under Strategy 1.1, which aims to strengthen political engagement and administrative commitment for integrating tobacco control measures into local governance systems.
The workshops brought together sub-city cabinet members, representatives from the Addis Ababa Food and Drug Authority (AAFDA), enforcement bodies, health officials, and other relevant stakeholders. The primary objective of the sessions was to strengthen understanding of Ethiopia’s Food and Medicine Administration Proclamation No. 1112/2019 and its provisions related to 100% Smoke-Free Environments (SFE) and the comprehensive ban on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS). Participants discussed the current status of tobacco control implementation within their respective sub-cities and identified existing enforcement gaps, particularly in hospitality venues such as bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and lounges. During the workshops, participants collaboratively mapped enforcement responsibilities among sub-city departments and designated focal persons responsible for coordinating tobacco control activities at the local level. Emphasis was placed on aligning SFE and TAPS enforcement with existing sub-city inspection and regulatory systems, including routine inspections carried out by code enforcement teams, health inspectors, and other municipal regulatory units. This integration approach was designed to ensure that tobacco control enforcement becomes part of the regular administrative and regulatory framework rather than a stand-alone activity.
