Ethipia Strives to Liberalise Continental Air Transport Market

May 13 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

Africa accounts for one percent of the global air service market, despite 23 years since the Yamoussoukro Decision that called for full liberalization of intra-African air transport services regarding access, capacity, frequency, and tariffs. Lack of infrastructure, preference to use foreign airlines and exorbitant taxation were revealed to be the leading causes of inflated ticket costs in the continent. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Bekele, Minister of Transport & Logistics Alemu Sime (PhD) and Secretary General of AFCAC Adefunke Adeyemi gathered at the newly expanded Skylight Hotel to discuss the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Ethiopia is expected to spearhead the effort towards liberalisation. Full liberalisation is implied as carrying the promise of 4.2 billion dollars in annual GDP growth and creating 60,000 jobs. The secretary general of AFCAC indicated that the market was big enough for everyone allaying fears of encroachment into each other's market share by airlines.


Radar

Milkii App Disburses 25 Million Br in Collateral-Free Loans in Two Months

Oromia Bank's new collateral-free digital lending app, Milkii, has disbursed 25 million Br in loans without requiring collateral. Of this, 16 million Br has already been repaid, generating 1.4 million Br in revenue within just two months. Developed in partnership with Quantum Technology PLC, the app plans to make lending more accessible and inclusive, aligning with Oromia Bank's contribution to the Digital Ethiopia initiative. According to a press release, Milkii promotes financial inclusi...


Radar

Ethiopia Partners with UK to Ease Shipping Bottlenecks

The Ethiopian Freight Forwarders & Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 27, 2025, at Hyatt Regency Addis Abeba, to address skills gaps, customs delays, and corridor inefficiencies in the freight and logistics sector. The partnership focuses on technical cooperation, training, and regulatory reform. With over 90pc of trade dependent on the Djibouti corridor, rising congestion, customs...


Radar

Education Authority Sanctions Mishqen College for Rule Violations

The Education & Training Authority has issued a decisive directive last week, mandating legal action against Mishqen College for persistently defying regulatory orders and unlawfully continuing to offer higher education services. Mishqen College had previously been licensed to conduct undergraduate distance learning programs across multiple regions from 2019 to 2022. However, after serious regulatory breaches, the institution was ordered to cease all instruction, complete pending academic...