Dangerous practices, including employees working without safety helmets and other necessary precautions, are observed in a building around Kazanchis. Buildings must be designed and constructed to ensure the safety of people, properties, and other structures. The law entails that those who construct buildings in a manner that endangers public safety could face imprisonment of five to ten years and fines ranging from 20,000Br to 50,000Br, according to the building proclamation.
Month: January 2025
Railway Corp Launches Online Booking, Mandates Fayda ID for Travel
Ethio Djibouti Railway (EDR) SC announced the online booking platform starting in February for public passenger transport services. The EDR also announced that all travel bookings are mandated to provide Fayda, the national ID for booking and traveling.
Takele Uma, CEO of EDR, stated that the company has diversified its business model due to the high demand for national cargo shipment and logistics service.
EDR launched a three-year strategic plan last week aiming to introduce new capabilities, including a freight forwarding operation and a multimodal operation to improve railway efficiency, according to Takele.
Established in April 2017, following a bilateral agreement between Ethiopia and Djibouti, the company commenced passenger and freight transport services in January 2018, with an initial investment of 500 million dollars.
Ethiopost Embraces Space Technology to Revolutionize Mail Delivery
Ethiopost, the national postal service, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian Space Science & Geospatial Institute (SSGI) to modernize its delivery services, aiming to integrate advanced mapping and satellite technology into Ethiopost’s logistics framework.
By incorporating updated maps, Ethiopost seeks to improve door-to-door delivery services towards faster and more reliable delivery times.
At the signing ceremony last week, Ethiopost CEO Dagmawi Hailiye stressed the transformative potential of this collaboration, stating that it will modernize postal services and substantially improve Ethiopia’s logistics sector. Established in 1894, Ethiopost recently became a portfolio company of Ethiopian Investment Holdings.
Abdissa Yilma, director general of SSGI, pointed to the national importance of leveraging space technology to drive innovation and infrastructure development. The autonomous federal institute was established in 2022 through the merger of the former Ethiopian Science & Technology Institute (ESSTI) and the Geospatial Information Institute (GII).
Land Allocation Surpasses Target, Parliament Urges Timely Project Completion
The Ministry of Urban & Infrastructure provided over 11,000hct of land through allocation and bidding in regional and city administrations, surpassing the planned 7,000hct, according to the Ministry’s half-year report. Parliament’s Urban Infrastructure & Transport Affairs Standing Committee reviewed the Ministry’s half-year plan performance report, urging the Ministry to ensure construction projects are completed on time and within budget. Minister Chaltu Sani also reported that 16 small towns that previously lacked plans now have them while road infrastructure work was conducted on 175,879km of roads.
Approximately 85,256 illegally held properties were formalized whereas 20,754 houses were built in the first half of the year, exceeding the target of 8,000. Deputy chairperson of the Standing Committee, Eshetu Temesgen (PhD) accentuated the need to organize building standards and codes using modern technology. He also stressed the need for the Ministry to tackle the issue of parking and loading/ unloading areas on corridor development roads in coordination with the relevant authorities.
Ethiopia, Tanzania Power Deal Signed, Kenya to Transmit
A power sales agreement has been inked for 100 megawatts of electricity by Ethiopia to Tanzania, after a three-way negotiation between Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
The contract, which is based on legal, commercial, and technical considerations, was signed by representatives from each of the three companies and includes a power sales agreement between Ethiopia and Tanzania, and a power transmission line lease agreement between Kenya and Tanzania. The deal was approved by high-level officials in the respective countries and is set to be implemented starting April 2025.
The agreement was signed by Merkneh Yigezu, legal department director of EEP, Godfrey Kariuki, strategy manager at KETRACO, and Renta Ndge, deputy director of planning, research, and investment of TANESCO. The agreement was built on the previous electricity sale agreement and relationship between Ethiopia and Kenya.
Ethiopia currently exports around 200 MW of electricity to Kenya, 100 MW to Sudan, and 66 MW to Djibouti, totalling 366 MW of electric power. The EEP aims to earn around 300 million dollars from electricity exports in the current fiscal year after earning 140 million dollars in the previous year.
Ministry Reports Fuel Market Clean-up, Cement Prices Halved
The Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration reported that 325,000 litres of fuel were removed from the market following government action to address issues in fuel distribution and marketing, including the removal of 250 tankers during the procedure.
In its six-month performance report to Parliament, the Ministry also pointed to cement prices which it claimed have halved. The Ministry addressed issues in the cement market by repealing a problematic directive and implementing a new policy, resulting in a 50pc price decrease from 2,200 Br to 1,100 Br per quintal. The Ministry took the action upon the entering of market of Lemi National Cement with a production capacity of 150,000 quintals per day.
Minister Kassahun Goffe (PhD) also noted that the online business registration and licensing service of MoTRI provided services to over two million users, surpassing the target by 102pc. He further noted the completion of the “Quality Village” project towards improving product quality control and standards as his Ministry’s successes during the period.
Manufacturing Forex Allocations Surge, Ministry Reports
Minister of Industry, Melaku Alebel, reported that 369.11 million dollars in foreign exchange were availed to manufacturers by Ethiopian banks, achieving 79pc of the planned 468.42 million dollars. Last year, 274.1 million dollars was provisioned to the sector.
During the Ministry’s six-month report to Parliament, Melaku also revealed that 24.87 billion Br in loans were made available to large-scale manufacturers, a 4.9 percent increase from the previous year’s 23.7 billion Birr. Banks now allocate 16.3 percent of their loans to the manufacturing sector.
Members of Parliament raised several crucial issues. A representative from the Benishangul Gumuz Regional State pointed to the regional state’s lack of an industrial park, urging the government to address this concern. The minister responded that existing industrial parks are not operating at full capacity and therefore, the government has no immediate plans to construct new ones.
Fathi Mahdi (PhD) (MP-PP), inquired about the government’s plans for the manufacturing of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, aligning with the nation’s transition to electric transportation. Melaku responded that negotiations are underway with companies involved in lithium mining, and EV battery manufacturing will follow.
Another pressing issue raised by an MP concerned the minimum wage for industrial park workers. The minister emphasized the need to carefully analyse Ethiopia’s bargaining power and the productivity of the workers. He suggested that a system of pay-for-performance would be the most effective solution.
Commodity Exchange Expands, Digitises, Rebrands
The 17-year-old, Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) has reformed itself through rebranding, digitisation and the initiation of a new headquarters.
The Exchange announced plans to construct a new 24-story headquarters near its current rented location. The estimated cost of the project is two billion Birr, and construction is expected to be completed within two years. The new building will house trading operations and a research centre. The total landholding for the project is 3,600 sqm, strategically located in the heart of the financial district near Mexico roundabout.
The ECX has also introduced a digital trading platform along with a new logo. The platform will enable buyers, exporters and producers to present offers, bid their commodities online and make payments through the system without a physical presence on the trading floor.
The launching ceremony was attended by Kassahun Goffe (PhD), minister of Trade & Regional Integration and board chairman of the Exchange. He lauded the big steps taken in recent times as Ethiopia has opened its retail, wholesaling and export market for foreign investment.
ECX has served over 4.5 million farmers across the country, operating in seven cities with 24 branches. In the past 17 years, it has facilitated the trade of 26 commodities, achieving a transaction value exceeding 406 billion Birr.
Wondimagegn Negera, CEO of ECX, pointed out plans to expand to industrial products in the coming months, with cotton, hides, leather products, and mining commodities including emerald to make it to the exchange.
A Year of Wonders and Achievements for Acıbadem Türkiye
Once again, Acıbadem Türkiye has made history with extraordinary medical breakthroughs and pioneering treatment methods. This remarkable year has seen milestones such as the successful treatment of a 67-year-old Parkinson’s patient and the completion of a highly complex separation surgery for conjoined twins joined at the chest. These and countless other achievements have solidified Acıbadem’s reputation as the trusted choice for solving some of the world’s most challenging medical cases.
Crowning this incredible year, Acıbadem Türkiye has been honored with the prestigious title of “Greatest Healthcare Exporter” for the 9th consecutive time, reaffirming its unparalleled leadership in global healthcare.
Crossing Borders, Connecting Patients Across the Globe
As one of the world’s leading international healthcare providers, Acıbadem continues to set the standard for excellence with 24 hospitals, 15 outpatient clinics, and a dedicated team of over 25,000 healthcare professionals. With a strong presence in Türkiye, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, and the Netherlands, Acıbadem’s state-of-the-art medical facilities are a beacon of hope for patients worldwide.
Beyond its regional footprint, Acıbadem operates over 60 representative offices across 56 cities in 33 countries, ensuring patients everywhere can access world-class healthcare closer to home. This expansive network underscores Acıbadem’s mission to connect with patients globally and extend its outreach even further.
Acıbadem is not just a provider, it is a pioneer in healthcare innovation. Supported by a team of over 3,300 specialists and 4,700 nurses, the organization leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional care. Acıbadem’s portfolio includes:
• 20 breast centers, including a newly opened facility this year in Istanbul.
• 11 accredited oncology centers.
• 16 heart care centers.
• 14 fertility centers.
• 10 organ transplantation centers.
• 10 spine and neurosurgery centers.
• 10 nuclear medicine centers.
• 6 robotic surgery centers.
• 3 FIFA-accredited sports medicine centers.
These centers are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care in their respective fields, solidifying Acıbadem’s reputation as a global leader in healthcare.
Innovations at Acıbadem Türkiye: Redefining Global Healthcare Excellence
Acıbadem Türkiye is celebrated worldwide for its groundbreaking medical achievements and unparalleled expertise in managing even the most complex medical cases. With a patient-centered approach and personalized treatment plans, Acıbadem has become a destination of hope for patients from across the globe. In 2023, the institution provided high-quality medical care to 55,000 patients from 148 countries, a testament to its reputation as a trusted choice for advanced healthcare. This unwavering trust has earned Acıbadem the prestigious title of “Greatest Healthcare Service Exporter” for an unprecedented 9th consecutive year.
While the dedication and expertise of Acıbadem’s world-class physicians remain at the heart of its success, cutting-edge technology plays an equally vital role. Acıbadem integrates advanced radiotherapy technologies, including CyberKnife, Gamma Knife, MR Linac, and Ethos, which leverage artificial intelligence to revolutionize cancer treatment. These technologies ensure unparalleled precision, safety, and efficacy, giving patients access to some of the most advanced medical solutions available today.
Acıbadem’s commitment to innovation extends far beyond current technologies. By continuously investing in research and advancements, the organization strives to set new benchmarks in patient safety, satisfaction, and surgical excellence, reaffirming its position as a global leader in healthcare innovation.
Some of the Groundbreaking Medical Achievements
In 2024, Acıbadem Türkiye welcomed 6 million patients from across the globe, each carrying stories of resilience and hope, ranging from plastic surgery to life-saving oncological treatmentsand organ transplantations. Among these were several remarkable cases that highlight Acıbadem’s expertise and commitment to transforming lives.
Separation of Conjoined Twins
At just 17 months old, conjoined twins from Algeria arrived at Acıbadem Atakent University Hospital in Istanbul for a life-changing separation surgery. Born with a congenital abnormality, the twins were joined at the chest and shared the pericardial sac, sternum, and chest tissues. Complicating matters further was a complex congenital heart condition.
The journey to separation involved months of meticulous planning and two surgeries totaling nine hours, performed by a multidisciplinary team of cardiovascular surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and anesthesiologists. Thanks to extensive preoperative care, precision surgery, and thorough postoperative support, the twins now enjoy the freedom of independent lives.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease
After 11 years of battling Parkinson’s disease, a 67-year-old patient from Azerbaijan turned to Acıbadem Türkiye for hope. Her condition caused debilitating symptoms such as tremors, slowed movements, and dyskinesia as the effects of her medication wore off.
Under the care of Professor Dr. Fatih Bayraklı, she underwent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a procedure designed to restore control over her movements. Following the successful surgery, she returned to her home country free from the symptoms that had disrupted her life for over a decade.
IVF Success for a Patient from Azerbaijan
A woman from Azerbaijan in her 40s, seeking to overcome the challenges of advanced maternal age, approached Acıbadem Türkiye’s IVF center. Guided by Professor Dr. Cem Fıçıcıoğlu, the patient underwent comprehensive pre-treatment testing, including genetic screening of embryos to ensure the best outcomes.
Following the correction of an internal uterine deformity, the embryos were successfully implanted, and the patient achieved a healthy pregnancy. She returned to her country with the joy of carrying twins, marking yet another success story for Acıbadem’s IVF program.
These extraordinary cases underscore Acıbadem Türkiye’s position as a trusted destination for complex medical treatments. By combining cutting-edge technology, world-class expertise, and a compassionate approach, Acıbadem continues to transform lives and provide hope to patients worldwide.
Contact us now to get a free second medical opinion from our experts: https://acibademinternational.com
Invites Visionary enterpreneures to build transformative buisness
Derived from the Swahili word for ‘bold’, ‘brave’, and ‘courageous’, Jasiri is a transformative program under Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and early-stage startups to address critical societal challenges across Africa and meaningfully improve people’s lives. We invite visionary individuals from Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, passionate about building impactful businesses from scratch to apply for the Jasiri Talent Investor Program, Cohort 8. The application is open from 13th January 2025- 5th April 2025.
Youth unemployment is one of Africa’s most pressing challenges. Jasiri rmly believes that high-impact entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking the continent’s potential for job creation. Yet, aspiring entrepreneurs often face systemic barriers that hinder their ability to bring transformative ideas to life. Jasiri minimizes these barriers with a holistic, hands-on approach to entrepreneurship, ensuring that bold innovators can build businesses that benet society while contributing to an empowered, prosperous African citizenry.
Since 2021, we have supported 227 entrepreneurs who have created 93 ventures, with 81 of these ventures still active across 42 industries. These ventures operate in Rwanda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, addressing diverse challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, waste management, and more. Collectively, these startups have generated approximately 2,035 jobs and provided solutions that have positively impacted 12,627 individuals across their industries.
The Jasiri Talent Investor Program offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to:
- Transform Ideas into Impact: Takes a long-term holistic approach to developing entrepreneurs by providing them with the time and space to identify ideas through a process of Problem & Opportunity Identication, Customer Development, Product Development, and Market entry (Venture Creation)
- Access Tailored Support: Fellows benet from a structured program comprising a one-month online Jasiri Jumpstart, a three-month residential intensive, and nine months of venture creation.
- Cultivate Leadership Skills: The program fosters ethical leadership values and behaviors to ensure sustainable, meaningful contributions to African societies.
- Collaborate with Like-Minded Innovators: We believe that entrepreneurial teams are at the heart of successful venture creation, and provide the entrepreneur with access to a diverse group of potential co-founders.
If you are an individual with the drive to create businesses that address Africa’s most pressing challenges, we encourage you to apply for the Jasiri Talent Investor Program.
Applications are now open. Join us in transforming lives, creating jobs, and building a better future for Africa.
For further information about Jasiri Talent Investor, please contact Amandine Kayizali, Recruitment & Selection Manager, amandinek@jasiri.org.
To stay updated follow us @Jasiri4Africa.
About Jasiri
Jasiri invests in, nurtures, and empowers entrepreneurs who benet society and attack poverty by creating high-impact businesses, and new markets on the African continent. Jasiri believes that entrepreneurial teams are at the heart of new venture creation and provide entrepreneurs with access to a diverse group of potential co-founders. The program supports new ventures from idea generation to venture creation and takes a long-term approach to developing exceptional, responsible entrepreneurs on the African continent.
THREADBARE TRADITIONS, WEAVING UNRAVELS FAST
The looming scarcity of essential imported materials has overshadowed traditional weaving in Addis Abeba. Weavers recall a time when Timqet festivities meant a flurry of orders in the northern outskirts of Shero Meda. They once earned at least 2,000 Br a day, but now struggle to pull in half of that. The cost of thread alone has soared from 30 Br to 300 Br a roll. Forced to take on multiple roles, from delivery to marketing and embroidery, a few weavers strive to honour the legacy of their forebears in an industry many are abandoning. On the third floor of a building the city government allotted to local weavers, the atmosphere differs from the dynamic “Sunday Market” era they fondly remember. Their workshop is mostly empty, and the lack of direct trade partnerships has stifled the flow of raw materials. It has also inflated prices beyond the reach of many workers, forcing them to buy through layers of merchants. Some items sold by producers for 5,000 Br end up retailing at 80,000 Br, exposing a glaring imbalance.
Disruptions brought by a corridor development project eroded the market, demolishing the shops that once thrived in Shero Meda. Underpinning this anguish is the widespread shift among consumers towards printed and imported chiffon fabrics. Increasingly facing economic uncertainty, price-conscious buyers prefer these lighter, cheaper materials they can wear more often than the heavier, more expensive hand-woven garments. Adding to the pressure, merchants frequently mark up the cost of threads and other inputs, leaving weavers with razor-thin margins. Embroidery workshops on the second floor mirror the same malaise. Social media lures customers, but even machine embroidery, a faster and sometimes cheaper method, is not enough to spark the robust demand of previous Timqet seasons. Taxes also weigh heavily; one embroiderer was slapped with a 95,000 Br bill. To cope, some have branched into newer crafts, hoping to appeal to the growing appetite for chiffon and modern designs.
Even the fashion-conscious segment of the market is not insulated from the shortages. A few designers who blend traditional hand-woven fabrics into contemporary outfits may have found success with new T-shirts and blouses. However, it has been undercut by a chronic lack of working capital and unpredictable input supply. Fearful of faulty raw materials, they juggle multiple suppliers, driving up operational costs. Such constraints restricted the expansion of what could be a thriving industry. Officials at the Ministry of Culture & Sport acknowledge that the spindly chain leaves weavers at the bottom of the earning pyramid. Efforts are underway to build direct links between producers and exporters, as well as to brand and legally protect cultural clothing. Experts warn that without integration of the cotton and weaving sectors and an inflow of younger talent, the time-honoured craft might struggle to maintain a presence in a country known for its vibrant textile heritage.
Hailu Shawel’s Family Embroils in Billion-Birr Property Dispute
The family of the late Hailu Shawel, a civil engineer and a prominent opposition leader, is embroiled in a high-stakes lawsuit over assets allegedly worth billions of Birr. His widow and several children have pitted against his eldest son, Samson, over a complex web of inheritance claims, share transfers, and allegations of mismanagement.
Samson demands tens of millions of Birr in reimbursement, the reassignment of shares, and a formal audit of the family’s estate.
Claiming a five percent share in Samson Sports Plc, known for its ownership of Laphto Mall, Samson has taken the extraordinary step of suing his mother and siblings for what he alleges is an under-capitalisation of his share in a venture his legal team claims to be valued at five billion Birr. He demands 27.7 million Br, claiming that his ownership stake has been improperly diluted.
Laphto Mall, built in 1997, was erected on 10,000Sqm of land near Besrate St. Gabriel Church, is a landmark in an upscale neighbourhood. It features 33 multi-purpose spaces and has been billed as a family-oriented commercial centre. Samson Sports Plc, operates additional subsidiaries, though Samson alleges the lines between family assets and corporate holdings have blurred.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2024 at the Federal First Instance Court in Nifas Silk Lafto District, brought one of the well-known families to the limelight. Hailu, the patriarch, was a towering figure in the political opposition, particularly during the highly contested 2005 national election. Hailu led a four-party alliance under the Coalition for Unity & Democracy (CUD), challenging the electoral hegemony of the EPRDF and winning Addis Abeba’s city council in a landslide. Hailu led the All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP) from 1996 to 2013.
The late Hailu had a storied career that placed him at the forefront of major public institutions. During his decades of service, he had stints heading the Ethiopian Transportation Authority, the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation, and what was then the State Farms Development Authority. In 1983, he founded Shawel Consult International Plc, which eventually passed into the hands of his son, Shawel Hailu (PhD), who earned a doctorate from Wayne State University and currently holds CEO positions in Rekik Food Plc and SCI Plc.
When Hailu died in October 2016 at the age of 80, he left behind an expansive business that Samson claims “was never allocated in the orderly fashion mandated by Ethiopian inheritance laws.” He contended that his family’s “refusal to address alleged under-capitalisation and withheld dividends” compelled him to seek legal recourse. The affidavit of inheritance was registered twice, first in 2017 and later again to account for Pele’s interest, but Samson claimed that “shares remain improperly assigned.”
He also alleges that his mother and siblings have disregarded multiple attempts at an amicable resolution, pushing the family into limitations in a court of law.
Samson claimed that the defendants, his mother, Almaz Zewde, and siblings, including his brother, Shawel, along with Anteneh, Nadew, and Yamrot, have failed to pay his “rightful dividends,” ignoring repeated requests for accountability, and withholding what he claims is his inheritance. The legal wrangle intensified with Samson’s claim that he is entitled to additional shares once held by his late brother, Pele, who passed away after their father’s death and whose interest in the estate, Samson claims, has not been adequately recognised.
Samson contends that 2,743 shares in Samson Sports Plc were transferred to Shawel only temporarily in an era of political unrest, part of a broader process to safeguard the family’s assets should Hailu’s high-profile political activities draw unwanted attention. According to Samson’s affidavit, the initial intention was to register these shares under Pele, the youngest son, but the shares eventually ended up in Shawel’s name.
Samson appealed to judges that the shares belonged to him and the late Pele, arguing that the registration under Shawel was never meant to be permanent. He appealed to the Court to restore 274.3 of those shares, interest dating back to mid-2017, and to buy out his shares on the grounds that his position in the family enterprise had become “untenable.”
The case extends beyond the immediate question of Laphto Mall’s shares. Samson also claims the family has two houses in the Lafto District, one on 1,928Sqm and another on 1,258Sqm, which should be partially his, equivalent to 10.03pc ownership. He seeks 865,308.18 Br, which he says is his share of 9.4 million Br held in Nib International Bank and the Bank of Abyssinia accounts belonging to his late father. Included in Samson’s demands is a tranche of 792 shares in the Bank of Abyssinia, which he claims encompass inheritances from both Hailu and Pele.
Court documents also reveal he is pressing for payouts on 44 shares from Shawel Consult International Plc and 53 shares from Agrimecs Share Company, part of the late Hailu’s initial portfolio of 500 shares across different companies.
Samson alleges in his lawsuit that Almaz and Shawel, who hold a majority shares in Laphto Mall, “mismanaged corporate finances” and have “jeopardised the interests of other shareholders by diverting company and rental income for personal use.” The lawsuit alleges that dividends have not been distributed as required, leaving Samson to question the corporate structure built by his late father. He appealed for an official audit of company finances and a full accounting of the dividends he claims should have been paid since 2017, the year the inheritance was registered.
Court filings reveal Samson’s appeal for an immediate release of 10 million Br. He claims an urgent need for knee treatment in Bangkok, Thailand, which he says involves procedures necessary for his health and cannot be delayed while legal proceedings continue.
The Ethio-Alliance Advocates legal team, representing Samson, has summoned three witnesses — Bethlehem Ashenafi, Samson Hailu, and Firehiwot Mekonnen — to substantiate the allegations.
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