German Boost for Agriculture, Small Business Growth


German Boost for Agriculture, Small Business Growth

Ethiopia and Germany have signed grant agreements totaling approximately 33 million dollars to support two initiatives: "Increasing Productivity through Innovation in Agriculture II" and "Promotion of Ethiopian Private Sector II." The agricultural initiative, in its second phase, focuses on financing options to import advanced machinery like tractors and harvesters, aiming to boost productivity and economic growth in the sector. The second initiative targets improved financial access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially those owned by women and youth, to promote job creation and inclusive growth. Semereta Sewasew, state minister of Finance, held a signing ceremony last week with KfW Development Bank CFO Bernd Loewen. The Bank has invested over 1.1 billion dollars in Ethiopia to support various development initiatives, including reforestation, conservation, and vocational education. It stated that over 100,000 people have benefited from investments in vocational schools and teacher training.

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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...


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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 Hilton Hotel 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...


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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...