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Fed Inks Deal to Build Solar Power Plants

Jan 21 , 2023


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Two solar plants with a combined capacity of 500MW will be built following an agreement with Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company. Established in 2006 with three shareholders, Masdar, is a UAE-government-owned renewable energy company in Abu Dhabi that develops utility-scale renewable energy projects worldwide. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and UAE Ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed an agreement to commence the solar energy system last week. Ethiopia generates most of its electricity from hydropower, with close to 90pc of the 4,500MW generated power coming from dams built and operated by the state. Four months ago, the federal government secured 217 million dollars from the World Bank to generate a 35MW hybrid mini-grid power plant, partially tapping energy from solar sources. The Africa Development Bank (ADB) has also provided 161 million dollars in loans to build 25 mini-grid plants in all regional states, excluding Afar and Gambella regional states. The Prime Minister said the global net zero target offers a tremendous economic opportunity to harness renewable resources, emphasising the country has "unparalleled" renewable energy resources. Ethiopian Investment Holdings will work closely to explore opportunities to work with Masdar in renewable energy, real estate, and agriculture.


Radar

Liquidity Relief, Reform Pressure Meet as World Bank Prepares Major Budget Support

The World Bank is set to approve a 1.45 billion dollar budget support package for the Ethiopian government on June 25, 2026. The announcement came alongside a high-level consultation at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, where leaders from the Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) met with private sector representatives and the National Council. The package follows an earlier 17 billion dollar credit and summer service support allocation. The institution has anchored key...


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Cabinet Approves 502b Birr Budget as City Returns to Federal Subsidy

The Addis Abeba City Cabinet has approved a 502 billion Br budget for the 2026/27 fiscal year, a fiscal plan that marks a return to federal subsidies despite previous claims of municipal self-sufficiency. The budget, now awaiting final ratification by the City Council, incorporates a federal subsidy of more than 74 million Br. This policy reversal follows the 2025/26 mid-year salary revisions for civil servants, implemented to buffer the inflationary impact of the floating Birr on the cost of...


Radar

Global Analytics Meets Local Insight as WAAS Partners With Kantar in Ethiopia Expansion

WAAS International Plc has partnered with global analytics firm Kantar on June 12, 2026, to introduce predictive analytics and consumer tracking tools into the country's corporate market. The collaboration blends Kantar's global methodologies with WAAS's 35-year local data archive to support business leaders operating in a liberalising economy. WAAS Managing Director Efera Busa said the partnership connects global expertise with local context, delivering standardised metrics without losing cu...