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Fed Inks Deal to Build Solar Power Plants

Jan 21 , 2023


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Two solar plants with a combined capacity of 500MW will be built following an agreement with Masdar, a UAE-based renewable energy company. Established in 2006 with three shareholders, Masdar, is a UAE-government-owned renewable energy company in Abu Dhabi that develops utility-scale renewable energy projects worldwide. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and UAE Ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed an agreement to commence the solar energy system last week. Ethiopia generates most of its electricity from hydropower, with close to 90pc of the 4,500MW generated power coming from dams built and operated by the state. Four months ago, the federal government secured 217 million dollars from the World Bank to generate a 35MW hybrid mini-grid power plant, partially tapping energy from solar sources. The Africa Development Bank (ADB) has also provided 161 million dollars in loans to build 25 mini-grid plants in all regional states, excluding Afar and Gambella regional states. The Prime Minister said the global net zero target offers a tremendous economic opportunity to harness renewable resources, emphasising the country has "unparalleled" renewable energy resources. Ethiopian Investment Holdings will work closely to explore opportunities to work with Masdar in renewable energy, real estate, and agriculture.


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Prime Capital Joins ESX, Seeks Securities Dealership Licence

Prime Capital has secured trading membership on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) and is pursuing a securities dealership licence to expand its brokerage and investment banking services, according to Head of Business Development and Marketing Fikremarkos. The firm received its trading membership after obtaining an investment banking licence from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) and meeting all ESX requirements. The licence authorises Prime Capital to execute securities tran...


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Parliament Ratifies Tax Amendment, Assigns PMO to Lead Conciliation, Imposes 10pc Penalty on Late Evidence

The Prime Minister's Office will appoint independent tax conciliators while taxpayers face a 10pc penalty for late evidence under the Federal Tax Administration Amendment ratified by Parliament last week. By shifting the selection of “conciliators” from the tax authority to the PMO, authorities aim to establish a neutral dispute-resolution system to speed up out-of-court settlements. Experts describe the move as a high-stakes reform with notable institutional risks. The legislation, pa...


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ZamZam Bank Registers Shares, Eyes Capital Market Debut

ZamZam Bank has secured approval from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) to register its shares, becoming the first fully interest-free bank to complete the regulatory process for public trading. The approval covers five million existing shares worth five billion Br and one million bonus shares valued at one billion Br, paving the way for the Bank's future participation in Ethiopia's capital market. ZamZam plans to raise its capital to 15 billion Br and introduce Sharia-compliant i...