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Table of Contents pages no.
1. Abstract:.......................................................................................................................................1
2. Introduction:................................................................................................................................1
3. Summary of main body...............................................................................................................1
4. Critiques of the Article................................................................................................................2
4.1 Strengths.................................................................................................................................2
4.2. Weaknesses...........................................................................................................................3
5. Conclusion:...............................................................................................................................4
6. Recommendations:...................................................................................................................4
7. Reference..................................................................................................................................5

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1. Abstract:
The article titled "Regional Development Planning in Ethiopia: Past Experience, Current
Initiatives, and Future Prospects" by Tegegne Gebre Egziabher examines the evolution of
regional development planning in Ethiopia and explores its future prospects. The paper discusses
the past regional policies, current initiatives, and provides suggestions for a future regional
policy orientation. The main objective is to assess the adequacy of past and present regional
policies and propose recommendations for the country's future regional development planning

2. Introduction:

The introduction provides an overview of the historical context of regional development

planning in Ethiopia. It highlights the shift in focus from considering regional development as a
means to improve the national economy to addressing regional disparities and promoting
equitable development among regions. The introduction also mentions the recent emphasis on
decentralization, federalism, and regional capacity building in Ethiopia's regional planning
framework. The attached article titled "Regional Development Planning in Ethiopia: Past
Experience, Current Initiatives and Future Prospects" discusses the evolution of regional
development planning in Ethiopia, examines past regional policies and their adequacy, explores
current regional development initiatives, and provides suggestions for future regional policy
orientation.

3. Summary of main body

The article provides an analysis of the past, present, and future of regional development planning
in Ethiopia, highlighting the challenges faced in the past, the current initiatives being undertaken,
and recommendations for future regional policies. The following main points covered in the
article include:

1. Past Regional Policies: In the past, regional development in Ethiopia was considered a
national project aimed at supporting national growth and development. The article

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 identifies four main problems that influenced regional policy areas: the need for rapid
growth and development, industrialization, development of water resources, and
expansion of agricultural exports. The regional policy responses to these problems
included concentration strategies, import substitution industrialization, river basin
development, and commercial farms. However, these policies were deemed inadequate in
stimulating regional development and reducing imbalances in the country.
2. Current Regional Initiatives: The article highlights the current initiatives in regional
policies, which are characterized by decentralization, inter-regional allocation of
resources, investment policies, regional capacity building, river basin planning, and
special area programs. However, it points out that these policies are not implemented as
part of an overall regional policy, and there is room for improvement in their adequacy.
3. Future Regional Policy Orientation: The article suggests that the future regional policy
should be based on the country's macro-economic development model, which includes
policies of deregulation, liberalization, promotion of private investment, export-led
growth, and rural-centered strategies. It emphasizes the deepening of decentralization and
the need for explicit concern with regional equity in resource allocation. The article
recommends developing an explicit regional policy that emphasizes inter-regional
cooperation, regional competitiveness, and regional resource mobilization. It also
emphasizes the importance of appropriate incentives/investment policies, participation of
the people, and generation of inter-sectorial plans at the regional level.

4. Critiques of the Article

This is articles review; a critical response has included both strengths (positive) and weakness
(negative) statements. Therefore, the lets go to comments critique discuss each ways first to last

4.1 Strengths

Comprehensive examination: The article provides a comprehensive examination of the

evolution of regional development planning in Ethiopia. It explores past experiences,
current initiatives, and future prospects, giving a thorough understanding of the topic.
Historical context: The article discusses the historical context of regional development
planning in Ethiopia, considering the country's past strategies and their evolution over

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 time. This helps readers understand the background and the factors that have influenced
regional policies.
Policy analysis: The article analyzes past and current regional policies in Ethiopia,
highlighting their objectives, adequacy, and effectiveness. It discusses various policy
responses to problems such as rapid growth, industrialization, water resource
development, and agricultural expansion.
Conceptual framework: The article provides a conceptual framework by discussing the
two dominant paradigms of regional development, namely functional integration and
territorial development. This framework helps readers understand the theoretical
approaches guiding regional development practices.
Future recommendations: The article concludes with suggestions for future regional
policy orientations in Ethiopia. It emphasizes the importance of macroeconomic
development models, decentralization, regional competitiveness, resource mobilization,
and inter-sectorial planning to achieve regional equity and local-level development.

4.2. Weaknesses

Lack of empirical evidence: The article primarily focuses on discussing past experiences,
current initiatives, and future prospects. However, it lacks specific empirical evidence,
case studies, or statistical data to support its arguments and claims. Including such
evidence could have strengthened the article's analysis.
Limited discussion on implementation: While the article mentions current regional
policies and initiatives, it does not extensively discuss their implementation challenges or
outcomes. A more detailed examination of the implementation process and the actual
impact of these policies could have provided a more nuanced understanding.
The article does not explicitly state the methodology used. It appears to be based on a
review of past regional policies and an exploration of current initiatives and elements of
regional policies. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the specific research
methods employed
Insufficient discussion on stakeholder engagement: The article does not adequately
address the involvement of stakeholders, such as local communities, in regional

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 development planning. Considering the importance of participatory approaches, the
article could have included a discussion on stakeholder engagement and its role in
addressing regional imbalances.
Lack of recent updates: The article's content is limited to past experiences and
perspectives, with no indication of recent developments or changes in regional
development planning in Ethiopia. Including more up-to-date information would have
made the article more relevant and reflective of the current context.
The appropriateness of the methodology cannot be fully assessed due to the lack of
explicit information regarding the research methods used.
Lengthy and dense presentation: The article is quite lengthy and dense, which might
make it challenging for readers to grasp the key points and follow the arguments
effectively. A more concise and structured presentation could have enhanced readability
and accessibility.
Alignment of Findings with Conclusion: The article does not present specific findings or
a separate conclusion section. However, it discusses past regional policies, current
initiatives, and future prospects..

5. Conclusion:

The article concludes by emphasizing the need for a future regional policy orientation based on
the macroeconomic development model of the country. It suggests that regional policies should
align with deregulation, liberalization, promotion of private investment, export-led growth, and
rural-centered strategies. The deepening of decentralization is also recommended to enhance
local-level development. The article emphasizes the importance of inter-regional cooperation,
regional competitiveness, and resource mobilization in future regional development planning.

6. Recommendations:

 Include empirical evidence, such as case studies or statistical data, to support arguments
and claims.

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  Provide a detailed examination of implementation challenges and outcomes of regional
policies.
 Explicitly state the methodology used and explain its relevance.
 Address stakeholder engagement in regional development planning, including
participatory approaches.
 Include recent updates to reflect the current context of regional development planning in
Ethiopia.
 Provide clarity on the appropriateness of the methodology used.
 Improve readability by restructuring the article and using concise language.
 Present specific findings and include a separate conclusion section to align with the
article's content.

7. Reference
Adey Abebe. 1998. NGOs Development Focus and Their Research Needs. In Proceedings of the
Twenty-fifth Anniversary Symposium on Issues of Development Research in Ethiopia, edited
by Tegegne Gebre Egziabher and Addis Tiruneh. Addis Ababa: Institute of Development
Researc h

Dejene Aredo. 1996. The Regional Dimension of Agricultural Planning and Policies in Ethiopia,
1960-1991: A Review and Implications for Today. Ethiopian Journal of Development
Research 18 (2).

Friedman J., and C. Weaver. 1979. Territory and Functions: The Evolution of Regional Planning.
Berkley: University of California Press.

Le Marquand, David. 1989. Developing River and Lake Basins for Sustained Economic Growth
and Social Progress. Natural Resource Forum (May).

Stohr, W. B. 1981. Development from below: The Bottom-Up and Periphery-Inward

Development Paradigm. In Development from above or below, by W.B Stohr and D. R Fraser
Taylor. Chiester: John Willey.

Tegegne Gebre Egziabher. 1998. The Influence of Decentralisation on Some Aspects of Local
and Regional Development in Ethiopia. Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review 14
(1)