FAST FASHION


FAST FASHION

A second-hand shoe market around  Sebategna is brimming with busy cobblers hard at work. Second-hand clothing is a thriving subsector in most Sub-Saharan countries shaped by import regulations and underdeveloped textile industries. The region accounts for nearly a third of the global second-hand apparel market, which is worth a little over four billion dollars. Entire shops and markets exist across Ethiopia that offer second-hand clothing that is mostly smuggled in contraband routes from neighbouring countries.


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PHANTOM PUMPS

While modern fuel stations with glass partitions are appearing in Addis Abeba, a contrasting reality that suspends fuel supply to new stations unfolds, citing national policy to reduce fuel imports and promote electric vehicle adoption. According to Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE), this comes as the country intends to decrease fuel import expenditure by four percent this year, and transition to electric vehicles. The policy, which includes a ban on petroleum vehicle imports and redu...


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ORPHANED PAWS

A group of street dogs rests in the Kazanchis area, a distinct reminder of the displacement caused by urban redevelopment. As homes and buildings around the neighbourhood were demolished, many pets were left behind, adding to the estimated 250,000 stray dogs in Addis Abeba. Volunteers try to step in, feeding these dogs daily with funds raised primarily through TikTok and Telegram campaigns under the monekir Animals Need Attention. On average, these efforts provide meals with about 80 Br for each...


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EMERALD BITES

It is chickpea pod season in Addis Abeba, a time when residents enjoy "Eshet," a favorite green nibble with roots in local households. Available from November to January, market-oriented production of these nutritious pods (rich in protein, antioxidants, and fiber) is a recent development. As a major chickpea producer (contributing about 17pc globally), Ethiopia benefits from this dual-purpose crop, used both for food and for improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, reducing the need...