LIBERAL LEAN


LIBERAL LEAN

An infrastructure pole around Bole is being moved on a busy afternoon. The first telephone infrastructure was extended from Harar to the capital city in 1894, during the reign of Emperor Menelik II. The state-owned Ethiopian Telecom has made significant headway since its reestablishment six years ago by cutting tariffs, expanding coverage, and entering new business avenues. The 130-year-old enterprise will avail a 10pc ownership stake as Ethiopia launches its inaugural stock exchange next year. It had revenues of 42.9 billion Br in the first half of the current year. The telecom operator which had a monopoly on telecom services for all but the last two years is the first of at least four SOEs poised to open themselves up to private ownership.

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In-Picture

WHEELING HUSTLE

Multitasking at its finest unfolds on the streets of Adey Abeba, where a man navigates his way in a sleek, electric-wired wheelchair. But his ride is more than a mode of transport, it doubles as a mobile vending station. As he glides past pedestrians, his chair displays an array of goods, offering snacks, plastic bags, and small essentials to those on the move. Morning commuters stop briefly, intrigued by this unusual blend of mobility and enterprise, while others pass by with wide-eyed curiosit...


In-Picture

SECOND SPIN

Worn-out tyres roll back and forth through Mercato, steered by grease-stained hands of mechanics in faded overalls. Some will soon stand as makeshift signposts announcing a repair shop open for business; others will find new lives as flower pots, stools, or playthings in alleyways. In this market, the largest open market in Africa, nothing truly retires, everything gets a second spin...


In-Picture

SOLE REST

A well-earned day off for shoes that have walked more miles than most of us dare to dream. On the sidewalks of the Bethel neighborhood, sneakers line up to dry while the shoeshine trades polish for gossip, stitch up tired soles, and sneak in a chat with friends, because even shoes need a social life. The air hums with laughter and wax mingling, and the occasional clink of a shoeshine brush hitting a tin of polish. For a few hours, the streets are a quiet hub of camaraderie, creativity, and the u...