Ministry Ponders Tax Waivers for Rural Energy Solutions

May 18 , 2024


  Tax exemptions for off-grid energy technologies like solar pumps and mini-grids are under discussion, spearheaded by the Ministry of Water & Energy. Commonly used by rural households, officials disclose their simultaneous plan to develop 300 mini-grids in the next six years. According to Birhanu Weldu, the lead executive of rural energy technology development, the initiative tackles the country's low electrification rate and reliance on charcoal and firewood. Charcoal, fuel wood, and agricultural wastes provide more than 86.8pc of rural household energy in Ethiopia, compounding energy shortages with a national electrification rate below 50pc. He revealed the plans during a panel discussion last week at the Capital Hotel on Haile Gebreselassie St. Tewabech Worqu, secretary of the Ethiopian Solar Products Suppliers Association, said existing legal and administrative frameworks have made it difficult for rural households to access solar solutions. Panellists also indicated a pervasive lack of awareness in rural farming communities of the potential benefits of solar pumps for using groundwater available at shallow depths throughout the country. Hiwote Teshome, manager of SNV Ethiopia, which works in agri-food, energy, and water systems, said business models that allow rural communities to access solar solutions through cooperative arrangements need to be developed.


Radar

Parliament Nods for Cabinet Appointments

Federal legislators have approved five cabinet-level positions last week with a member of Parliament (MP) voted against and two abstentions were counted. Gedion Timotheos (PhD) leads the charge as the new minister of Foreign Affairs, filling in Taye Asqeselassie's shoes, where he stayed briefly before becoming the country's president. With law degrees from Addis Abeba and Central European universities, Gedion was previously Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Joining him in the redev...


Radar

Abyssinia Group Eyes Expansion with IFC Funding

Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI), a leading East African steel producer, is poised for significant expansion owing to a proposed investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is considering a financing package of up to 50 million dollars, including parallel loans in local currency. Headquartered in Kenya, AGI operates two steel plants in Ethiopia, six in Kenya, and has mining activities in Uganda. AGI currently produces 660,000 metric tons of steel annually and employs...


Radar

Fitch Acknowledges Easing Financial Pressures, Enhanced Macroeconomic Stability

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ethiopia's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (LTLC IDR) to 'CCC+' from 'CCC-', citing easing financing pressures, improved macroeconomic stability, and increased confidence that local-currency obligations will not be part of the ongoing debt restructuring. This positive development comes as the government implements key reforms and secures renewed concessional external financing. The ratings agency has taken note of the introduction of a market-based ex...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email