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Parliament Backs Italian, French Loans for Reform, Infrastructure


Parliament Backs Italian, French Loans for Reform, Infrastructure

Parliament has ratified two loan agreements worth a combined 124.6 million euros with the governments of Italy and France, approving both proclamations unanimously during its second emergency session of the fifth parliamentary term. The larger agreement secures a 70 million euro loan from Italy to provide direct budget support for the government’s economic reform agenda. The concessional financing carries a 30-year repayment period, including a 16-year grace period, with no interest or service charges. Aligned with the World Bank’s third Ethiopia Development Policy Operation, it is expected to support reforms across multiple sectors while sustaining economic growth. Lawmakers also approved a 54.6 million euro loan agreement with France to finance the modernisation of Ethiopia’s infrastructure, digital systems, regulatory functions and property management through technology-driven solutions. The loan will be repaid over 25 years, including a 10-year grace period, at an annual interest rate of 0.347pc. The financing will also support the modernisation and digitalisation of Ethiopian Electric Power’s systems, including upgrades to transmission management and operational control.

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Radar

Customs Commission Puts Government Transactions on Mesob

Public institutions must now process customs-related transactions through Mesob, a new electronic platform introduced to reduce manual procedures in government trade operations. The Customs Commission has directed the institutions to use the platform for customs clearance, transit processing, import and export procedures, transaction verification, and related services. Mesob became operational for public institutions on July 20, 2026, for customs services. Institutions must complete intern...


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Addis Grants Extra Month for Residential Lease Renewals

Lessors and tenants in Addis Abeba have an extra month to renew residential lease agreements after the City Administration extended the registration deadline from August 6 to September 5, 2026. The Addis Abeba Housing Development & Administration Bureauattributed the extension to public requests for more time. Officials said it would ease congestion at registration centres and allow residents to complete the process more conveniently. The renewal exercise began in early July, following...


Radar

Government Procurement Goes Digital with 597b Br Turnover

More than 597 billion Br in government purchases passed through Ethiopia's electronic procurement platform during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, widening the use of digital systems in public finance. The platform was used by 172 federal institutions and 196 affiliated entities during the year. More than 135,000 suppliers were registered to provide goods and services through the system, which is intended to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in public procurement. The governmen...