Debre Berhan Rebrands as Investment Hub

Jan 14 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

Debre Berhan town, located 130Km from the capital, known for its cold climate and alcoholic beverage productions, has become a centre of large-scale manufacturing. The two-day investment expo last week was opened with Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen, which saw the attendance of local investors. One of the local investors, Belayneh Kinde, inaugurated an electric car assembly plant at the cost of two billion Br this week. The plant is expected to employ up to 500 people and will begin assembly operations within three months, at a capacity of 1,000 cars yearly. Yilikal Kefale, Amhara Regional State administrator, had availed a textile factory in Debre Berhan opened at the cost of a billion Birr by Zema Textile Group in January. The CEO of Shirshir Addis Business Group, Bereket Baysa, revealed last month another electric car assembly plant is being built by the group that lies on 46,000 sqm. Debre Berhan has also become home to a microfinance institution headquartered in the town with a capital of 30 million Br under the name Akufada in mid-October. The MFI is the first to be headquartered outside the capital.


Radar

Ethiopia, IFAD Sign 69.2m Dollar Deal to Promote Lowland Resilience

The Ethiopian Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a 69.2 million dollar grant agreement to implement Phase II of the Lowland Livelihoods Resilience Project (LLRP II). The grant agreement was signed by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and IFAD President Alvaro Lario. The project targets climate resilience and improved livelihoods for three million people in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Co-financed by the World Bank, LLRP II covers eight reg...


Radar

NBE Expands Diaspora Warning Over Unlicensed Remittance Firms

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has issued an expanded public warning targeting unlicensed remittance operators abroad, flagging four U.S.-based companies it says are undermining Ethiopia's financial regulations. The warning includes newly disclosed findings and specific cases that underscore growing concerns about illicit cross-border financial activity. Remittance flows remain a vital lifeline for Ethiopia's economy, supporting households and supplying critical foreign currency. But as...


Radar

Stricter Standards Unveiled for Public Auditors, Accounting Firms

The Accounting & Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE) has issued a new directive aimed at strengthening oversight and professional standards in the accounting and auditing sector. Grounded in the Financial Reporting Proclamation, the directive addresses long-standing regulatory gaps while preparing the sector for the country's emerging capital market. Key provisions introduce stricter licensing standards for public auditors, professionals permitted to audit public interest entities. Applican...