Horticulture Exports Record 20pc Growth to $286m

Feb 5 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

The export of horticultural products brought in 286 million dollars over the first half of the fiscal year. The figure is a 20pc jump from the revenues recorded over the same period last year. Flowers account for the majority of the earnings at 246.4 million dollars, according to the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), which represents over 100 members. Vegetables and herbs shipped abroad brought in a little over 31 million dollars, while fruits generated revenues of nine million dollars. The performance is 12pc higher than what had been targeted. The industry lobby group decried the central bank's decision to slash foreign currency retention rates for exporters by half to 20pc last month. Cut-flower growers and exporters demand foreign currency to import inputs such as fertilisers, chemicals and packaging. The Association's leaders had written a letter to the central bank voicing the misgivings of their members and pleading with the authorities to treat "producer-exporters" differently from other traders.


Radar

Ethiopia Unveils Consortium to Insure Millions of Farmers

Ethiopia has launched its Agricultural Insurance Consortium (AICE), pledging to protect three million farmers by 2026. Announced on July 3, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, the initiative is backed by Pula Advisors and five major Ethiopian insurers. AICE plans to promote climate resilience through insurance bundled with the government's input voucher system. Leveraging AI platforms like Mavuno and PIE, it plans to standardise products, lower costs, and expand coverage to over 200 woredas. With agricu...


Radar

New Coopbank Partnership Targets Youth Economic Empowerment

The Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coopbank) has signed a strategic agreement with Melka Ethiopia to provide loan services to over 120,000 young men and women nationwide. The partnership plans to promote youth economic empowerment by expanding access to finance and creating jobs, with a strong focus on rural and underserved areas. Both institutions held joint discussions to explore ways to improve youth livelihoods and financial inclusion. By closing access gaps, the partnership is expected to help...


Radar

Ethiopian Netpreneur Program Training Kicks Off

The Ethiopian Netpreneur 2025 Training Program has officially launched its first cohort in Addis Abeba with 64 entrepreneurs beginning their first round of training. Organised by the Global Digital Talent Academy, the initiative plans to empower local business owners, startup founders, and digital sector players with global-level e-commerce skills. At the launch event, Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Mola (PhD) urged participants to leverage the opportunity to build networks and shape...