Parliament Nods Loan Agreement with South Sudan


Parliament Nods Loan Agreement with South Sudan

In a parliamentary session last week, MPs approved a 738-million-dollar loan agreement with South Sudan. The federal body ratified the proposed bill which looks to establish road infrastructure linking the two countries. The project aims to create accessible transport routes that will enable trade, reduce logistical bottlenecks, and facilitate the movement of goods and people across borders. It is expected to be managed collaboratively, with the South Sudan Roads Authority overseeing activities in South Sudan and the Ethiopian Roads Authority managing the Ethiopian segment. The House passed the agreement with no opposition with parliamentarians mentioning they viewed the move as a strategic investment in regional stability and prosperity aligning with Ethiopia’s foreign policy priorities and contributing to a stable and mutually beneficial environment in the region.  


Radar

Sovereign Fund Reviews Mid-Year Performance of Line Companies, Calls for Strategic Improvements

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) launched its mid-year performance review for its portfolio companies, displaying mixed results for the first half of the fiscal year. Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG) reached 95.3pc of its sales goal, selling 64,190tn of sugar for 6.1 billion Br—a 132pc year-on-year growth—despite capacity and supply issues. The Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) met 92pc and 97pc of its purchase and sales targets, respectively, stating it has benefitt...


Radar

Digital Pay Uptake Booms Among SMEs, Visa Study Finds

Over 80pc of surveyed small- and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have started accepting digital payments in the last two years, according to a new Visa report titled, ‘Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Ethiopia'. Citing increased convenience, the report indicates reduced fraud risk and improved efficiency as factors in the uptake. A substantial 66pc of these SMEs believe that investing in digital payment technologies will support future business growth. The...


Radar

ILO Tackles Agricultural Wage Gap

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Setting Adequate Wages in Agriculture (SAW-A) Project last week, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ), seeking to promote fair wage policies, enhance collective bargaining, and support the establishment of minimum wage mechanisms to improve the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The sector employs over 80pc of Ethiopia's workforce, making it the country's largest employment sec...