Prime Minister Reports to Parliament

Apr 3 , 2023


Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) showed up to Parliament last week to present a six-month report. He called for "a new normal" to survive the tectonic aftershock from the changing global order, whose impact he projected to be immense in the next five years. Fuel and fertilizer subsidies added up to 70 billion Br in the period, according to the Prime Minister's presentation while Ethiopia's debt burden both domestic and external combined with inflation, underwhelming productivity and shabby infrastructure were indicated as the biggest hurdles to economic prosperity by the PM. This analysis comes in a week at which  IMF staff visited the country to discuss debt restructuring possibilities. Parliamentarians had voiced concerns over poor performance and lack of equity in public infrastructure, mainly unfinished road projects; pervasive official corruption; inadequate public utility provisions such as electricity and water; and the absence of media accountability. The highlight of the session to most spectators was a suggestion of resignation by Christian Tadelle hurled at the PM. Christian who is part of the National Movement of Amhara (NAMA) told Abiy “the primary source of insecurity for the people is your administration.”


Radar

Parliament Reviews Bill Allowing Foreign Property Ownership

A draft proclamation that would allow foreigners to own or occupy immovable property in Ethiopia has been submitted to parliament by the Council of Ministers. Designed to attract foreign investment, the draft law plans to ensure that Ethiopian citizens retain their right to land ownership and use. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the draft was among six agenda items discussed and approved during the Council's regular session held on May 2, 2025. The proclamation is e...


Radar

Speeding in the Spotlight as New Safety Drive Begins

The Road Safety and Insurance Fund Service has stated that drivers are responsible for 68 percent of traffic accidents in Ethiopia, with the remainder mainly caused by pedestrians and road conditions. On this topic, the service launched a one-month mass media campaign on last week focused on raising awareness about speeding, the leading cause of traffic accidents. The campaign, under the motto "Slow Down, Speeding Ruins Lives," plans to shed light on the dangers of speeding. Yohannes Lemma, E...


Radar

Askari Metals Secures Five Gold Licenses in Untapped Adola Belt

Askari Metals has acquired 100pc of Rift Valley Metals, gaining five gold exploration licences covering 460sqkm in Ethiopia's Adola Greenstone Belt, part of the southern Arabian-Nubian Shield, a mineral-rich but underexplored region. "The exploration areas—Sakaro, Sakaro West, Lega Dembi South, Megado, and Wayu Boda—lie near Ethiopia's top gold mines, including Lega Dembi and Sakaro, which have produced over three million ounces of gold. The area is known for orogenic gold systems hosted...