Electric Access Remains Feint Leaving 56m in Dark

Aug 12 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

The ambitious plan to light up 25 million households in a decade by the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) is undermined as it managed to garner 353,000 new customers in the ended fiscal year. As Ethiopia ranks in the bottom three countries in terms of electricity access from the continent with 56 million people in the dark, managing to deliver services to a mere 4.4 million households puts an undesirable light. EEU met 67pc of its expansion target this year, with CEO Shiferaw Telila chalking it up to the undue strain on its resources by rehabilitation endeavours in war-stricken areas. Rehabilitation of infrastructure in Afar, Tigray and Amhara regional states piled up 1.2 billion in costs, according to the CEO. While reaching 125 new cities in the year the Company disclosed a pervasive theft problem that led it to a 42.4 million Br loss. Addis Abeba accounted for a 6.3 million Br loss whereas 66 million Br in damages was sustained by the company's infrastructure across the country. Shieraw expressed that the extensive harm caused by the perpetrators is far from underwhelming as he presented the annual report of the company at its headquarters last week. He said 44 individuals were sentenced to up to nine years for the destruction of public property. EEU earned 34.5 billion Br in the year through its services selling power and extending lines. Shiferaw indicated that the company had incurred costs of 14 billion Br for the purchase of power from Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).


Radar

Ethiopia Unveils Consortium to Insure Millions of Farmers

Ethiopia has launched its Agricultural Insurance Consortium (AICE), pledging to protect three million farmers by 2026. Announced on July 3, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, the initiative is backed by Pula Advisors and five major Ethiopian insurers. AICE plans to promote climate resilience through insurance bundled with the government's input voucher system. Leveraging AI platforms like Mavuno and PIE, it plans to standardise products, lower costs, and expand coverage to over 200 woredas. With agricu...


Radar

New Coopbank Partnership Targets Youth Economic Empowerment

The Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coopbank) has signed a strategic agreement with Melka Ethiopia to provide loan services to over 120,000 young men and women nationwide. The partnership plans to promote youth economic empowerment by expanding access to finance and creating jobs, with a strong focus on rural and underserved areas. Both institutions held joint discussions to explore ways to improve youth livelihoods and financial inclusion. By closing access gaps, the partnership is expected to help...


Radar

Ethiopian Netpreneur Program Training Kicks Off

The Ethiopian Netpreneur 2025 Training Program has officially launched its first cohort in Addis Abeba with 64 entrepreneurs beginning their first round of training. Organised by the Global Digital Talent Academy, the initiative plans to empower local business owners, startup founders, and digital sector players with global-level e-commerce skills. At the launch event, Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Mola (PhD) urged participants to leverage the opportunity to build networks and shape...