Ministry Fines Traders Millions of Birr for Anti-Competitive Conduct


Ministry Fines Traders Millions of Birr for Anti-Competitive Conduct

The Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration has reported the deposit of over 4.8 million Br into the government treasury from fines imposed on traders found guilty of engaging in anti-competitive business practices during the 2024/25 fiscal year. According to the Ministry, four traders were penalised after being found in violation of competition laws, with each ordered to pay five percent of their annual sales turnover. The total amount collected reached 4,832,652 Br, as confirmed by Getnet Ashenafi, head of the Anti-Competition and Law Enforcement Prevention Desk. In parallel, consumer protection efforts led to the recovery and investigation of 2.59 million Br related to complaints over faulty or misrepresented goods. Consumers who lodged complaint were offered redress through either full refunds or replacement of the defective goods, without incurring additional costs. Getnet stated that a total of 23 investigations into alleged anti-competitive commercial activities were conducted during the fiscal year. Of these, 19 cases were finalised, resulting in legal assessments and administrative decisions issued by the Ministry. The Ministry indicated it would continue to strengthen enforcement activities and public awareness campaigns to deter future violations and promote ethical business conduct across the country.

[ssba-buttons]

Radar

New Directive Hikes Service Fees for Foreign Investors in Free Trade Zones

The Ethiopian Investment Board has issued a new directive revising the service fees from foreign investors payable in dollars to the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), introducing updated rates for both the One Stop Shop and designated Free Trade Zones. The revised directive came into effect this April following its publication on the websites of the Ministry of Justice and the EIC. Issued pursuant to Article 23 of the Special Economic Zone Proclamation, the directive outlines charges for...


Radar

City Tables 350B Br Budget Plan for Upcoming Fiscal Year

The City Administration has approved a resolution to submit a proposed budget of 350 billion Br for the 2025/26 fiscal year to the City Council for deliberation. According to the Administration's statement on its official social media page, the draft budget is designed with a central focus on poverty reduction, encompassing targeted subsidies for sustainable development, investment in large-scale job-creating projects, and enhanced service delivery to address the growing demands of the reside...


Radar

Ethiopia, UN Launch Joint Plan to Drive Development Through 2030

The Ethiopian government and the United Nations (UN) have signed a five-year development plan outlining national priorities from 2025 to 2030. Signed on June 20 at the Ministry of Finance, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) with implications that it aligns with Ethiopia's reform goals and the Sustainable Development Agenda. The plan is backed by a projected 6.5 billion dollars, though only 1.5 billion dollars is currently secured. It focuses on closing t...