Authorties Pledge for Change as Climate Risks Surge


A key theme for climate-informed investments in crucial sectors like construction, energy, water, transportation, and agriculture was discussed last week, at the Hyatt Regency. It brought together stakeholders from the Ethiopian Association for Civil Engineers (EACE) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to address an issue centred on building a climate-resilient infrastructure. The discussions revolved around how Ethiopia can adapt to and recover from climate-induced disruptions. Seid Nuru, advisor to the Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation, said the previously overlooked economic impact of climate change, including frequent droughts and reduced rainfall, poses a threat to development. Private sector involvement in building and financing low-carbon infrastructure projects that can withstand climate challenges were raised while promoting renewable energy sources. A recent World Bank report estimates that climate change could reduce Ethiopia's GDP by 1-1.5pc annually. The report also suggests that Ethiopia requires over 27 billion dollars by 2050 to meet its climate resilience goals. Anne-Claire Howard, procurement group director at UNOPS, toughed on green procurement policies that promote the efficient use of energy, materials, and natural resources, focusing on recyclable materials.


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Electricity Bills Get the VAT Jolt

The new Value Added Tax (VAT) has begun implementation on electricity consumption and various service fees affecting customers who use more than 200 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Based on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, the tax will be applied to the excess amount of electricity consumption above 200 kilowatt hours. The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) began implementing the VAT on bills starting from November though both prepaid and postpaid customers will have to pay VAT a...


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World Bank Greases Financial Overhaul

The World Bank approved 700 million dollars in credit from the International Development Association (IDA) to scale up support for the financial sector. The funds are targeted at modernizing the regulatory and supervisory framework of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), supporting governance reforms, balance sheet restructuring, and recapitalization of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), and transforming the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) into a sustainable development finance institutio...


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Gadaa Bank Expands Reach, Faces Lending Constraints

Gadaa Bank closed its first full fiscal year of operations with a net profit of 90.2 million Br. The 18-month-old Bank held its annual general assembly at Millenium Hall on Africa Avenue last week where the board announced that during the year, the Bank opened 15 branches and now has 85 operational branches. “Due to recently enacted policy measures on credit by NBE and unmet resource mobilization during the fiscal year, the Bank was unable to make loan disbursements,” stated Wolde Bulto,...