Export Revenues Slump

Aug 3 , 2019


Ethiopia’s earnings from exports in the current fiscal year stood at 2.67 billion dollars, a 5.98pc decline from the previous year. This was well below its target of 4.32 billion dollars. Political instability, low quality of the commodities, the volatility of global prices, electric power interruptions and a growing contraband trade are the main reasons mentioned by the Ministry of Trade & Industry for the decline in performance. “Resolving these key problems, we plan to earn 4.69 billion dollars from exports in the current fiscal year,” said Wondimu Filate, communications affairs director at the Ministry. For the current fiscal year, the Ministry said export of agricultural commodities will generate 3.32 billion dollars, while manufacturing will bring in 1.02  billion dollars. It also expects the mining sector and electric power to contribute 265.82 million dollars and 83.66 million dollars, respectively.


Radar

Sovereign Fund Reviews Mid-Year Performance of Line Companies, Calls for Strategic Improvements

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) launched its mid-year performance review for its portfolio companies, displaying mixed results for the first half of the fiscal year. Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG) reached 95.3pc of its sales goal, selling 64,190tn of sugar for 6.1 billion Br—a 132pc year-on-year growth—despite capacity and supply issues. The Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) met 92pc and 97pc of its purchase and sales targets, respectively, stating it has benefitt...


Radar

Digital Pay Uptake Booms Among SMEs, Visa Study Finds

Over 80pc of surveyed small- and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have started accepting digital payments in the last two years, according to a new Visa report titled, ‘Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Ethiopia'. Citing increased convenience, the report indicates reduced fraud risk and improved efficiency as factors in the uptake. A substantial 66pc of these SMEs believe that investing in digital payment technologies will support future business growth. The...


Radar

ILO Tackles Agricultural Wage Gap

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Setting Adequate Wages in Agriculture (SAW-A) Project last week, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ), seeking to promote fair wage policies, enhance collective bargaining, and support the establishment of minimum wage mechanisms to improve the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The sector employs over 80pc of Ethiopia's workforce, making it the country's largest employment sec...