Ethiopian Aviation Forum 2025: A New Era for African Aviation


Ethiopian Aviation Forum 2025: A New Era for African Aviation

The Ethiopian Aviation Forum 2025, organised by Norman Aerospace in partnership with GFOX Aviation, successfully convened over two days, drawing aviation leaders from Africa and around the world. The event featured a broad agenda tailored to the diverse needs of airlines, airports, and industry stakeholders. More than 300 participants attended, including government officials, aircraft manufacturers, global aviation experts, and distinguished guests. Planned three years in advance, the forum intended to bring together a dynamic mix of executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for meaningful dialogue. Under the theme “Propelling Global Aviation: Africa Connects the World,” the event emphasised strengthening collaboration within the aviation sector. Jonathan Norman, chairman of the Ethiopian Aviation Forum and managing director of Norman Aerospace in the United States, noted plans to expand the forum in coming years. He expects increased participation from airlines outside the region and stronger engagement from the Middle East. The forum will rotate its focus annually between aviation, cargo logistics, and maintenance. Looking ahead, Norman identified a key challenge: balancing a competitive, industry-relevant agenda with academic rigour, while ensuring the content resonates with attendees’ interests.

[ssba-buttons]

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...