Agricultural Authority Moves Services Online


Agricultural Authority Moves Services Online

The Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) has fully digitised all 66 of its services, from licensing to certification, removing the need for in-person visits and paperwork for thousands of clients. Farmers and exporters previously travelled long distances and waited in queues to access agricultural services. That is no longer the case. “It used to be exhausting,” said Hamid Jamal (PhD), Deputy Director General of the Animal Regulatory Sector. “Now, they can do it all from home or their phones, no more queues, no more travel costs.” The shift was enabled through a partnership with the Ministry of Innovation & Technology and Perago Systems, a provider of electronic government and B2B commerce solutions. The digitisation has also improved access for international clients seeking export certifications. “We’re now seen as one of Africa’s leaders in digital agri-services,” said Wondale Habtamu (PhD) of the Plant Regulatory Sector. Employees at the Authority have also seen the benefits. “The mountain of paperwork is gone,” one staff member said. “Now, we focus on serving people better.”


Radar

Amendment Expands Access for Foreign Traders

Foreign participation in Ethiopia's wholesale, retail, import, and export trade sectors has come under renewed focus as the Ethiopian Investment Board(EIB) approved a significant amendment to Directive No. 1001/2016  in its meeting on May 23, 2025. The amendment, proposed by the Ethiopian Investment Commission(EIC), focuses on refining the legal framework governing foreign investment in these sectors. The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's appeal as an investment...


Radar

NBE Sets Four Percent Ceiling on Foreign Exchange Fees

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a new foreign exchange market directive on May 20, 2025, that caps commercial banks' forex service fees at a maximum of four percent. Banks are instructed to adapt competitive, transparent, and streamlined pricing for all forex-related services. Effective May 26, 2025, total charges for purchasing foreign exchange whether for imports, service payments, or cash note purchases must not exceed the newly set limit. The directive also prohibits banks f...


Radar

SantimPay Launches Zero-fee Digital Remittance Platform

SantimPay has rolled out FrankRemit, first fully integrated, zero-fee digital remittance platform, in partnership with Bank of Abyssinia(BOA). The service smoothly connects all commercial banks and major mobile money providers, including Telebirr, M-Pesa, and CBE Birr which is a first of its kind in the country. FrankRemit is expected to revolutionise how the Ethiopian diaspora sends money home. Developed locally and tested over the past two weeks with successful transfers from multiple count...