TOTTERING TOWERS


TOTTERING TOWERS

  A hurried renovation transpires on a conjoined pair of small buildings around the Mercato area. Many old buildings in the vast marketplace are remnants of shops built by Yemeni merchants who relocated from the old Arada area in the 1930s. The area has a thriving informal sector economy from which thousands earn daily bread. According to studies by the Centre for International Private Enterprise, nearly one-sixth of Ethiopia's urban employment is in the informal sector. Some studies have estimated the size of the informal economy in the country to be as high as a third of the GDP.

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In-Picture

YELLOW SIGNAL

Forget flashy billboards and painted signs. In Mekelle, a single yellow jerrycan resting on a dusty curb does the job just fine. It's the new language of the street—simple, unmistakable, and profitable. The written note tells motorists that petrol is available, but not at the government rate. At 200 Br a litre, the markup is steep, yet demand remains constant. Across Ethiopia's regional cities, this quiet trade fills the gap left by formal distribution channels. What began as a stopgap has bec...


In-Picture

MARKET MOMENTUM

At the Sheraton, delegates from across Africa joined Minister of Revenues Aynalem Nigussie as she cut the ribbon to launch the Africa Export Competitiveness Report 2024. A bright red ribbon sliced across a bold yellow banner, symbolising ambition and renewal. Dressed in an elegant Habesha qemis, Aynalem brought heritage to the moment, bridging tradition and progress. Applause filled the room, a mix of pride and promise marking a confident step forward for Africa's trade future...


In-Picture

SILENT ANCHOR

A student from Addis Abeba University carries the university's logo across his chest, guiding newcomers with quiet authority. The sun does not only shine on him—it radiates from within. His silence speaks volumes, a calm confidence rooted in belonging to something larger. Around him, life moves on: mothers carrying children, curious youngsters exploring, a nonchalant man in sunglasses and a bright blue shirt weaving through the crowd, yet he remains steadfast, a silent anchor amid the bustle...