In a major announcement that has sent ripples through the Ethiopian academic community, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Education (MoE) has officially released the updated list of accredited research journals for 2026.
The official letter, signed by State Minister Kora Tushune Godana on Yekatit 24, 2018 E.C., outlines a rigorous new selection of domestic journals that have met the national standards for quality, peer review, and scientific integrity. For researchers, professors, and postgraduate students, this document is the definitive guide for where to publish to ensure academic promotion and institutional recognition over the next three years.
Why This February 2026 Announcement is Critical
The timing of this announcement is significant. As Ethiopia pushes forward with its “Differentiated University” model—separating institutions into Research, Applied, and Comprehensive categories—the quality of a university’s internal journals has become a primary metric for funding and prestige.
By granting “Recognition” and “Re-recognition,” the Ministry is effectively certifying these 25 journals as safe havens against the global rise of “predatory publishing.” An article published in any of these listed journals carries the official weight required for moving up the academic ladder, from Lecturer to Assistant Professor and beyond.
The Class of 2026: Newly Recognized Journals
A total of 14 journals have joined the ranks of nationally recognized publications. This is a massive win for regional universities that have been investing heavily in their research infrastructure.
| Journal Title | Hosting Institution |
| African Journal of Economics and Business Research | Hawassa University |
| African Journal of Leadership and Development | Ethiopian Civil Service University |
| Ethiopian International Journal of Engineering and Tech. | Arba Minch University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Engineering and Technology | Hawassa University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Medical and Health Sciences | Hawassa University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Natural and Computational Sciences | Hawassa University |
| Harla Journal of Applied Science and Materials | Dire Dawa University |
| Harla Journal of Health and Medical Science | Dire Dawa University |
| Harla Journal of Social and Behavioral Studies | Dire Dawa University |
| HiLCoE Journal of Computer Science and Technology | HiLCoE School of CS & Tech |
| Millennium Journal of Health | St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College |
| OMO International Journal of Sciences | Arba Minch University |
| PanAfrican Journal of Governance & Development | Jimma University |
| Poly Journal of Engineering and Technology | Bahir Dar University |
The “Hawassa and Dire Dawa” Factor
One cannot ignore the dominance of Hawassa University and Dire Dawa University in this new list. Hawassa secured four spots, covering a diverse range from Medical Sciences to Economics. Meanwhile, Dire Dawa’s “Harla” series has successfully put the eastern region on the research map, gaining recognition for three distinct disciplinary journals.
The Gold Standard: Re-Recognized Journals
Maintaining quality is often harder than achieving it for the first time. The following 11 journals have successfully passed their re-evaluation, proving they have maintained rigorous standards over the past several years. Their accreditation has been renewed for another three-year cycle (2026–2029).
| Journal Title | Hosting Institution |
| Abyssinia Journal of Science and Technology | Wollo University |
| Daagu Int. Journal of Basic and Applied Research | Samara University |
| East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | Haramaya University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Behavioral Studies | Addis Ababa University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights | Addis Ababa University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Science and Sustainable Dev. | Adama Science and Tech University (ASTU) |
| Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences | Addis Ababa University |
| Ethiopian Journal of Water Science and Technology | Arba Minch University |
| Gadaa Journal | Jimma University |
| Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | Bahir Dar University |
| Journal of Pest Management of Ethiopia | Ethiopian Agricultural Research Council |
University Journal Frequency Table (Accredited 2026)
| University / Institution | Number of Accredited Journals | Journal Titles |
| Hawassa University | 5 | African Journal of Economics and Business Research; Ethiopian Journal of Engineering and Technology; Ethiopian Journal of Medical and Health Sciences; Ethiopian Journal of Natural and Computational Sciences; Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities* |
| Addis Ababa University | 3 | Ethiopian Journal of Behavioral Studies; Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights; Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences |
| Arba Minch University | 3 | Ethiopian International Journal of Engineering and Tech; OMO International Journal of Sciences; Ethiopian Journal of Water Science and Technology |
| Dire Dawa University | 3 | Harla Journal of Applied Science and Materials; Harla Journal of Health and Medical Science; Harla Journal of Social and Behavioral Studies |
| Bahir Dar University | 2 | Poly Journal of Engineering and Technology; Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
| Jimma University | 2 | PanAfrican Journal of Governance & Development; Gadaa Journal |
| Adama Science and Technology Univ. | 1 | Ethiopian Journal of Science and Sustainable Development |
| Ethiopian Civil Service Univ. | 1 | African Journal of Leadership and Development |
| Haramaya University | 1 | East African Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences |
| HiLCoE School of CS & Tech | 1 | HiLCoE Journal of Computer Science and Technology |
| Samara University | 1 | Daagu International Journal of Basic and Applied Research |
| St. Paul’s Hosp. (Millennium) | 1 | Millennium Journal of Health |
| Wollo University | 1 | Abyssinia Journal of Science and Technology |
| Ethiopian Agricultural Research Council | 1 | Journal of Pest Management of Ethiopia |
*Note: Some universities hold previous accreditations that remain valid alongside this new list.
Summary Insights
- Top Performer: Hawassa University leads the nation in this cycle with 5 accredited journals, showing a massive push toward becoming a top-tier “Research University.”
- Regional Growth: Arba Minch and Dire Dawa universities have shown exceptional growth, each securing 3 accredited journals, which is on par with the long-established Addis Ababa University.
- Specialized Institutions: HiLCoE remains a notable private institution on the list, maintaining Ethiopia’s primary accredited journal for Computer Science.
- STEM vs. Social Science: Over 60% of the journals on the 2026 list are focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine), reflecting the government’s current policy focus on industrialization and technology.
Strategic Takeaways for the Ethiopian Scholar
1. Validity Period (The 3-Year Rule)
The Ministry’s directive is clear: this recognition is valid for three consecutive years starting from Yekatit 24, 2018. This means researchers publishing in these journals between now and early 2029 are guaranteed that their work will be recognized for promotion points.
2. Diversification of Fields
For the first time, we are seeing a strong presence of specialized technology journals, such as the HiLCoE Journal of Computer Science and the Poly Journal of Engineering. This aligns with Ethiopia’s digital transformation goals, encouraging local researchers to solve local technological challenges.
3. The End of Predatory Anxiety
For many young scholars, the fear of accidentally publishing in a “fake” journal is real. By sticking to this Ministry-approved list, authors can be confident that their work will be archived properly, indexed on platforms like Google Scholar, and respected by their peers.
Official links and access points for the 2026 accredited journals
1. Hawassa University Journals
Hawassa University uses a centralized portal for its journals:
- Portal Link: journals.hu.edu.et
- African Journal of Economics and Business Research (AJEBR): Direct Link
- Ethiopian Journal of Engineering and Technology (EJET): Direct Link
- Ethiopian Journal of Medical and Health Sciences (EJMHS): Direct Link
- Ethiopian Journal of Natural and Computational Sciences (EJNCS): Direct Link
2. Dire Dawa University (Harla Journals)
The “Harla” series is hosted on the university’s research portal:
- Portal Link: journals.ddu.edu.et
- Harla Journal of Applied Science and Materials (HJASM): Direct Link
- Harla Journal of Social and Behavioral Studies (HJSBS): Direct Link
3. Addis Ababa University & EJOL Platform
Many of the re-recognized journals and those from AAU are hosted on the EJOL (Ethiopian Journals Online) platform:
- Portal Link: ejol.aau.edu.et
- Ethiopian Journal of Behavioral Studies: Direct Link
- Ethiopian Journal of Human Rights: Direct Link
- Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences: Direct Link (Also hosted by BDU)
4. Other Key Institutions
- Jimma University (Gadaa Journal): journals.ju.edu.et/gadaa
- Arba Minch University (Water Science/Engineering): www.amu.edu.et/journals
- HiLCoE (Computer Science): hilcoe.net/journal
- Haramaya University (Veterinary): www.haramaya.edu.et/research/journals
- Samara University (Daagu Journal): ajol.info/dijbar (Hosted on AJOL)
- Bahir Dar University (Agriculture): ajol.info/jaes
Final Thoughts: A Call to Action
The Ministry of Education has done its part by vetting these platforms. Now, the ball is in the court of the Ethiopian academic community. To keep these journals alive and thriving, we must:
- Submit our highest quality original research to these local journals rather than always looking abroad.
- Volunteer as peer reviewers to maintain the high standards the MoE demands.
- Cite works published in these journals to improve their global Impact Factor.
As we move through 2026, let this list be the foundation of a new era of Ethiopian intellectual sovereignty.
