AU Looks to Boost Vaccine Manufacturing Capabilities

Apr 17 , 2021


The African Union (AU) Commission signaled its intent to see the continent's capacity to manufacture vaccines against the COVID-19, signing a memorandum of understanding with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) last week. Currently, only two percent of vaccine trials take place in Africa. The partnership aims to strengthen ties between the two organisations and the Africa CDC - a specialised institution in the continent responsible for preventing and controlling diseases in Africa. The AU wants CDC Africa to enhance research and development in vaccine manufacturing, and strengthen pandemic preparedness on the continent. In early 2020, Ethiopia became the first African country to join CEPI, which was first established at Davos in 2017 to develop vaccines against future epidemics.


Radar

Amendment Expands Access for Foreign Traders

Foreign participation in Ethiopia's wholesale, retail, import, and export trade sectors has come under renewed focus as the Ethiopian Investment Board(EIB) approved a significant amendment to Directive No. 1001/2016  in its meeting on May 23, 2025. The amendment, proposed by the Ethiopian Investment Commission(EIC), focuses on refining the legal framework governing foreign investment in these sectors. The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's appeal as an investment...


Radar

NBE Sets Four Percent Ceiling on Foreign Exchange Fees

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a new foreign exchange market directive on May 20, 2025, that caps commercial banks' forex service fees at a maximum of four percent. Banks are instructed to adapt competitive, transparent, and streamlined pricing for all forex-related services. Effective May 26, 2025, total charges for purchasing foreign exchange whether for imports, service payments, or cash note purchases must not exceed the newly set limit. The directive also prohibits banks f...


Radar

SantimPay Launches Zero-fee Digital Remittance Platform

SantimPay has rolled out FrankRemit, first fully integrated, zero-fee digital remittance platform, in partnership with Bank of Abyssinia(BOA). The service smoothly connects all commercial banks and major mobile money providers, including Telebirr, M-Pesa, and CBE Birr which is a first of its kind in the country. FrankRemit is expected to revolutionise how the Ethiopian diaspora sends money home. Developed locally and tested over the past two weeks with successful transfers from multiple count...