AfDB Approves $10b for COVID-19 Fight

Aug 29 , 2020


[ssba-buttons]

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), which re-elected Akinwumi A. Adesina (PhD) as president, has approved a 10-billion-dollar facility to support African countries in addressing the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During the annual meeting of the Bank held on August 27, 2020, the regional and non-regional members unanimously re-elected Adesina, who won his second five-year term via a virtual election. Adesina, whose first term at the Bank impacted the lives of 335 million Africans, is an economist and a World Food Prize and Sunhak Peace Prize laureate. During his term, the Bank has maintained its AAA-ratings by all major global credit rating agencies for five years in a row. The Board of Governors of the Bank Group had also approved a 125pc increase in the capital of the bank, raising it from 93 billion dollars to 208 billion dollars.


Radar

Milkii App Disburses 25 Million Br in Collateral-Free Loans in Two Months

Oromia Bank's new collateral-free digital lending app, Milkii, has disbursed 25 million Br in loans without requiring collateral. Of this, 16 million Br has already been repaid, generating 1.4 million Br in revenue within just two months. Developed in partnership with Quantum Technology PLC, the app plans to make lending more accessible and inclusive, aligning with Oromia Bank's contribution to the Digital Ethiopia initiative. According to a press release, Milkii promotes financial inclusi...


Radar

Ethiopia Partners with UK to Ease Shipping Bottlenecks

The Ethiopian Freight Forwarders & Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 27, 2025, at Hyatt Regency Addis Abeba, to address skills gaps, customs delays, and corridor inefficiencies in the freight and logistics sector. The partnership focuses on technical cooperation, training, and regulatory reform. With over 90pc of trade dependent on the Djibouti corridor, rising congestion, customs...


Radar

Education Authority Sanctions Mishqen College for Rule Violations

The Education & Training Authority has issued a decisive directive last week, mandating legal action against Mishqen College for persistently defying regulatory orders and unlawfully continuing to offer higher education services. Mishqen College had previously been licensed to conduct undergraduate distance learning programs across multiple regions from 2019 to 2022. However, after serious regulatory breaches, the institution was ordered to cease all instruction, complete pending academic...