Ecuador President Daniel Noboa consolidates ministries, creates Economic Development Ministry

On 19 June 2026 President Daniel Noboa signed executive decrees 425‑427 that reduced Ecuador's cabinet from 14 to 10 ministries. The reform merged the ministries of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment and of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries into a new Ministry of Economic Development and Productive, while also creating a Ministry of Infrastructure and Technology and a Ministry of Labor and Human Development.

The government says the re‑organisation eliminates duplicate functions, streamlines resources and will strengthen the country's economic engine by supporting small farmers, exporters, entrepreneurs and attracting investment. Analysts and critics warn the consolidation concentrates decision‑making, weakens regulatory oversight and follows an ultra‑right, market‑oriented agenda that could curtail social programmes and public‑sector capacity.