GERD to Start Early Generation in June

Nov 28 , 2020


[ssba-buttons]

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will start early generation next June, according to Seleshi Bekele (PhD), minister of Water, Irrigation & Energy. Started a decade ago, the construction of the Dam has reached over 70pc of completion, and the first water filling was finalised in July of this year. The Dam, which has a capacity of producing 5,150MW of energy, was scheduled to be completed in five phases: a contract signing that was meant to be finalised during the first quarter of 2011; impounding that should have been started in the second quarter of 2013; early generation, scheduled to have been launched in the third quarter of 2014; completion of civil work, which was planned to be concluded in 2016; while full completion was scheduled for mid-2017. The latest round of tripartite negotiations between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt was held two weeks ago. Ethiopia finalised the first water filling before the negotiations between the three countries concluded.


Radar

Somali Region Advances Budget Independence as Revenues Rise

Somali Regional State is moving closer to fiscal independence, with nearly half its budget now funded locally. Officials point to rising agricultural output and stronger tax enforcement as key drivers behind growing revenues. The region plans to cover 32.5 billion Br from its own resources in the upcoming fiscal year. Communication Head Mohammed Abdi credited last year's tax collection of 18 billion Br, exceeding the 17 billion Br target, to agriculture, khat, and other taxable goods. The reg...


Radar

Environmental Protection Authority Shuts Down Polluters

Addis Abeba's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has taken enforcement action against 3,249 manufacturers and service providers found violating environmental standards in the 2024/25 fiscal year. The violations, ranging from air and noise pollution to improper waste disposal, were identified during inspections of 14,872 businesses citywide. Penalties included warnings and closures, with shutdown orders issued to six plastic factories, 23 block factories, a soft paper plant, 102 nightclu...


Radar

Ministry Mandates Full Electronic Clearance for Top Taxpayers

Taxpayers under the Ministry of Revenues' Medium No. 1 branch will have to ditch paper filings and switch entirely to the e-Clearance system for non-audited services starting August 1, 2025. The mandate, routed through the Ministry's e-filing portal, is pitched as part of a broader push to modernise tax administration and advance the government's digital agenda. Officials say the platform lets users process clearance requests remotely via the Fayda national ID, cutting out manual paperwork. A...