Business Registration, Licensing Fees Go Digital

Oct 31 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

Transaction fees for business registration and licensing have gone digital through Telebirr, a platform for mobile money transfer operated by the state-owned Ethio telecom. The Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration (MoTRI) inked deals with Ethio telecom to rev its online facility as part of the national strategy towards a digital economy. Telebirr has made over one billion Birr transactions from 24.8 million subscribers since its launch. It has also transacted 1.3 million dollars in remittances, disclosed Frehiwot Tamiru, the chief executive officer (CEO). Ethio telecom made deals two months ago with the ministries of Innovation & Technology and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Accounting & Auditing Board of Ethiopia, to enable digital payment transactions for electronic government services. The Trade Ministry migrated its services registration and licensing procedure online three months ago with hopes of cutting down in-person visits by applicants. Approximately 10pc of the 2.7 million businesses have been licensed using the online platform.


Radar

Somali Region Advances Budget Independence as Revenues Rise

Somali Regional State is moving closer to fiscal independence, with nearly half its budget now funded locally. Officials point to rising agricultural output and stronger tax enforcement as key drivers behind growing revenues. The region plans to cover 32.5 billion Br from its own resources in the upcoming fiscal year. Communication Head Mohammed Abdi credited last year's tax collection of 18 billion Br, exceeding the 17 billion Br target, to agriculture, khat, and other taxable goods. The reg...


Radar

Environmental Protection Authority Shuts Down Polluters

Addis Abeba's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has taken enforcement action against 3,249 manufacturers and service providers found violating environmental standards in the 2024/25 fiscal year. The violations, ranging from air and noise pollution to improper waste disposal, were identified during inspections of 14,872 businesses citywide. Penalties included warnings and closures, with shutdown orders issued to six plastic factories, 23 block factories, a soft paper plant, 102 nightclu...


Radar

Ministry Mandates Full Electronic Clearance for Top Taxpayers

Taxpayers under the Ministry of Revenues' Medium No. 1 branch will have to ditch paper filings and switch entirely to the e-Clearance system for non-audited services starting August 1, 2025. The mandate, routed through the Ministry's e-filing portal, is pitched as part of a broader push to modernise tax administration and advance the government's digital agenda. Officials say the platform lets users process clearance requests remotely via the Fayda national ID, cutting out manual paperwork. A...