Ethiopian Engineer Muse in Innovative Continental Contest


Ethiopian Engineer Muse in Innovative Continental Contest

An Ethiopian mechanical engineer has been shortlisted for a prestigious award: the 2023 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (APEI) Established in 2014, APEI is Africa’s biggest prize dedicated to developing African innovators and enhancing their impact through business incubation, mentoring, fundraising, and communications. Fikru Gebre has been nominated for developing the multi-purpose earth brick machine in response to the tough maintenance and repairs required for building homes. The manually operated portable construction machine interlocks compressed standard shape and size bricks. According to Fikru, this will improve the lack of access to advanced materials and the increased time spent maintaining homes built from 95pc soil and the remaining cement. The machine requires little maintenance and is easy to transport.  “It is cost-effective and environmentally friendly,” Fikru said. He studied engineering at universities in Bahir Dar and Meqelle, before moving to Jimma University in 2009, where he has been lecturing and researching. Fikru is among the 16 contenders from East and West Africa, with the prospect of winning 25,000 euros; the award will be held in London. Other contenders for the prize include Nigerians, Ghanaians and South Africans. The innovations are expected to provide engineering solutions to healthcare, agriculture, education, food security, and energy sectors crucial to UN Sustainable Development Goals, according to a release from the Royal Academy of Engineering, headquartered in London.


Radar

Ethio Telecom Launches New Marketplace with Cash-Back Guarantee

Ethio Telecom has launched Zemen Gebeya, a nationwide digital marketplace integrated into the telebirr SuperApp, offering a secure platform for consumers and businesses to trade goods and services. The platform includes a built-in escrow service, allowing payments to be held temporarily until the buyer confirms delivery. If a product is not delivered or the buyer is dissatisfied, the payment is returned—creating a cash-back guarantee model designed to build trust in online transactions. Lau...


Radar

Ethiopia-Israel Business Forum Opens Doors to Investment Opportunities

The Ethiopia-Israel Business Forum took place last week at the Hyatt Regency Addis Abeba, bringing together Ethiopian government officials and investors from Israel. Officials presented a range of investment opportunities, while Israeli investors expressed interest in entering the market. The forum opened with remarks from the foreign ministers. Gedion Timotheos, Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, used his address to extend a formal invitation to the Israeli business community, stressing...


Radar

National Bank Injects Millions Through Foreign Currency Auction

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is continuing its push to stabilise the foreign exchange market, injecting millions of dollarss into the economy through a series of currency auctions. According to official data, the latest auction was held on May 7, 2025, during which 60 million dollars was supplied to 16 participating banks at an average exchange rate of 132.9643 Br per dollar. In the previous month, the NBE held two auctions: 70 million dollars was offered on April 16 to 26 banks at an...