Month: March 2025

Ethiopia’s trade delegation led by Kassahun Gofe (PhD), a chief negotiator in the WTO accession talks, is reviving a long-stalled effort to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), signalling renewed ambition following a five-year hiatus. He travelled last week to Geneva, Switzerland, where the WTO is headquartered, to conclude negotiations for membership by March next year.

If successful, Ethiopia’s accession to the world’s trade body will be timed, with the 14th ministerial conference set to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon.

“Our ambition is to finalise the accession process in the next several months,” said Kassahun, minister of Trade & Regional Integration (MoTRI). ” His team included State Minister for Finance Eyob Tekalegn (PhD), Customs Commissioner Debele Qebeta, and Woldu Yemsel, director general of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA).

Ethiopia’s renewed push follows a prolonged stalemate from January 2020, mirroring economic policy shifts under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) administration.  Minister Kassahun said his government is ready to engage extensively with WTO members, outlining substantial commitments to lower tariffs on agricultural imports, exceeding benchmarks established for least developed countries (LDCs). Ethiopia has expanded market access offers to include critical sectors such as finance, telecommunications, transportation, education, and tourism.

The WTO’s Deputy Director General, Xiangchen Zhang, chairing Ethiopia’s accession Working Party meeting, praised the country’s re-energised approach, urging itsb leaders to leverage accession negotiations to consolidate economic reforms.  WTO members broadly welcomed Ethiopia’s efforts, although some cautioned against overly rigid timelines, demanding measurable outcomes over symbolic deadlines.

Ethiopia’s quest for WTO membership gained momentum following the recent accession of Comoros and Timor-Leste, which joined the organisation earlier in 2024 as its 165th and 166th members, respectively. According to Kassahun, these accessions are encouraging, reinforcing confidence that WTO membership remains achievable for LDCs.

The WTO Secretariat organised a technical assistance roundtable with international development partners, including the European Union (EU), the World Bank, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. The meeting called for coordinated international backing for Ethiopia to carry out complex economic reforms and fully integrate into the global trading system. Negotiators anticipate the next critical meeting before the WTO’s summer recess, contingent on timely contributions from member countries.

A new digital insurance and loan service platform christened ‘Agar’ – translated as a partner – has debuted in the market, marking a notable entry into the financial sector.

The initiative, a collaboration among Global Bank Ethiopia, Lucy Insurance, and Kacha Digital Financial Services, pledged to transform access to insurance and credit for various user groups, including insurance policy buyers, taxi drivers, and salaried employees. For Abraham Tilahun, CEO of Kacha Digital Financial Services, the partnership consolidates Kacha’s status as a leader in digital financial services.

Promoters say Agar Digital Insurance represents an inaugural insure-tech product, empowering users to obtain insurance coverage for their assets entirely through mobile phones. By avoiding the necessity for in-person branch visits and paperwork, the service offers a fully digital experience. Customers can register and gain access to the platform through the Kacha mobile application.

The platform incorporates a digital loan service, enabling individuals and businesses to finance insurance premiums. Users can have full or partial financing, with loans repayable over flexible terms of one, three, six, or nine months. This platform promises uninterrupted insurance coverage, preventing lapses caused by payment delays.

The launching, held at the Skylight Hotel, on Africa Avenue (Bole Road), also unveiled two additional financial solutions: Agar for Drivers and Agar for Salaried Employees. The first offers taxi drivers access to digital loans, helping them manage urgent vehicle repairs, part replacements, and other pressing costs through their mobile devices. Agar for Salaried Employees provides a salary advance loan service, allowing employees to receive part of their wages before payday without collateral, thus addressing short-term financial needs.

According to Wubshet Zegeye, head of retail banking at Global Bank, the two-in-one digital loan product demonstrates the Bank’s commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions. Adefris Wesene, CEO of Lucy Insurance, stated that the launch of Agar Digital Insurance represents a breakthrough in insurance accessibility.

A new task force under the city administration will enforce new regulations designed to restore order on the streets of Addis Abeba and address concerns over cleanliness and public safety. The task force has been established to enforce regulations imposed on informal street vendors. The city’s Trade Bureau launched the initiative to address the increasing informal trading, which city officials say has been “disruptive to the established trade system.”

The task force is headed by Deputy Mayor Jantrar Abay, who blamed the unchecked expansion of informal street vendors as grave challenges to the city’s visual probity, cleanliness, and traffic movement.

“Street vendors, if not regulated appropriately, will lead to serious issues affecting the urban environment,” said Jantrar.

The task force comprises representatives from the revenue bureau, law enforcement, land administration, and the Food & Drug Authority, among other city administration offices. It convenes monthly, during which all departments are required to present reports on their activities.

City officials hope the newly enforced regulation will facilitate a transition back to a structured trade system. The regulation also mandates that transportation services operate until 10p.m., while businesses are required to remain open until 9:30p.m. City officials warn that non-compliance has hefty financial penalties.

According to Habiba Siraj, head of the Trade Bureau, awareness-raising campaigns will be conducted over the next three months. Subsequently, penalties will be enforced based on the level of non-compliance.

Tax authorities announced a pending requirement for unique excise stamps on excisable products as part of their target to improve tax collection strategies.

Minister of Revenues, Aynalem Nigussie, has confirmed the federal government’s determination to boost domestic income through improving tax collection. A new initiative mandating excise stamps equipped with unique identifiers will be introduced on certain imported and locally manufactured products. Tax authorities, such as the State Minister for Revenues, Meskerm Debebe, and customs commissioners, hope the new system will ensure compliance.

Toppan Ethiopia has submitted a proposal detailing the implementation of the new system.

This initiative demonstrated a shift in the authorities’ approach to tax revenue generation, streamlining processes and optimising business compliance. According to federal tax officials, introducing the excise stamp system represents a proactive step in addressing the country’s financial needs and reinforcing the government’s revenue framework. If successfully implemented, they hope the system will have the potential to substantially enhance the federal government’s tax collection efforts.

Medical equipment valued at 1.1 million dollars has been donated to hospitals to improve neonatal healthcare across the country. In collaboration with the Centre for Applied Science, the Addis Abeba University’s College of Public Health Sciences facilitated the delivery of the equipment. These projects have provided equipment, mentorship, and medical training to over 290 hospitals.

The medical supplies acquired through the initiative will assist 18 hospitals in Oromia, Sidama, Amhara, Tigray, and Afar regional states.

A partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Global NEST360 initiative was instrumental in donating the equipment. During the equipment handover, State Minister for Health Dereje Duguma (MD) attributed recent maternal and newborn health improvements to modern equipment availability. However, he emphasised the importance of properly using and maintaining the donated equipment.

Mariamawit Asfaw, CEO of the Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Service, acknowledged the Health Ministry’s commitment to reducing infant mortality rates by improving maternal healthcare beginning pre-pregnancy stages. According to her, hospitals within the designated regional states receive the newly acquired equipment.

Ethiopia is to host the ninth edition of HortiFlora Expo, the world’s premier international horticulture exhibition, in the first week of April, at the Millennium Hall, on Africa Avenue (Bole Road).

Covering an exhibition floor area of 10,000Sqm, the expo is anticipated to attract from investors, buyers, and industry leaders to logistics providers and policymakers from across the globe. Organised by the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) and HPP Exhibitions Worldwide, the HortiFlora Expo is seen as a crucial platform for promoting Ethiopia’s rapidly expanding horticulture industry. The expo seeks to attract investment, maintain international trade alliances, and encourage sustainable agricultural innovation.

Ethiopia’s horticulture sector is a growing segment of the economy, earning increased forex revenues; the HortiFlora Expo is expected to generate foreign exchange and enhance supply chain development. The sector currently provides over 200,000 direct employment opportunities, with substantial potential for women and youth. As one of the country’s top three export earnings sectors, it generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually, contributing to domestic and global supply chains. The industry supports businesses engaged in exporting flowers and fresh produce, positioning Ethiopia among the world’s top five cut flower exporters.

The HortiFlora Expo 2025 is expected to bring together growers, input suppliers, logistics companies, and essential service providers on a single platform, facilitating the exchange of industry knowledge. The event anticipates the participation of 133 confirmed exhibitors and stakeholders. According to EHPEA, the 2025 edition promises to be larger, improved, and more impactful than ever before.

The Ethiopian Airlines Group (EAG) has launched a new business jet for premium charter services, pledging to enhance luxury travel options. A partnership with Etihad Airways promises improved connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The Airline has introduced a Boeing 737-800 business jet, catering to VIP and small-group travel. The aircraft provides a luxurious cabin with customizable seating — 19 for commercial and 32 for private use — offering an elite travel experience. Passengers can enjoy a 42-inch entertainment system, Wi-Fi, and gourmet dining. The jet service targets Africa’s business leaders, diplomats, and investors with an extended range.

“This addition takes our charter services to the next level,” said Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, “offering luxury, privacy, and convenience.”

Reaching over 160 destinations and pursuing its ‘Vision 2035’ strategy, Ethiopian Airlines remains one of the few major airlines in the African aviation industry. It has secured Skytrax’s ‘Best Airline in Africa’ award for seven consecutive years.

Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways have also established a joint business agreement pledging to improve travel options, partnering to introduce new flights between Addis Abeba and Abu Dhabi and a codeshare agreement. Etihad Airways will commence daily flights to Addis Abeba on October 1, 2025, while Ethiopian Airlines will begin flights to Abu Dhabi on July 15.