PRIME PUZZLES


PRIME PUZZLES

A once-vibrant Edna Mall sits empty around the Bole Medhanealem area. The seven-storey complex spanning 2000Sqm has three cinemas, which used to attract hundreds daily for the latest movie releases. The Mall was put up for auction by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) three years ago, with Chinese firm East Steel Plc emerging as the highest bidder with 810 million Br. Employee compensations, tax issues, and court disputes have all colluded to prevent the reopening of the entertainment hub. The 16-year-old establishment was built by Tekleberhan Ambaye Construction Plc (TACON).

[ssba-buttons]

In-Picture

WHEELING HUSTLE

Multitasking at its finest unfolds on the streets of Adey Abeba, where a man navigates his way in a sleek, electric-wired wheelchair. But his ride is more than a mode of transport, it doubles as a mobile vending station. As he glides past pedestrians, his chair displays an array of goods, offering snacks, plastic bags, and small essentials to those on the move. Morning commuters stop briefly, intrigued by this unusual blend of mobility and enterprise, while others pass by with wide-eyed curiosit...


In-Picture

SECOND SPIN

Worn-out tyres roll back and forth through Mercato, steered by grease-stained hands of mechanics in faded overalls. Some will soon stand as makeshift signposts announcing a repair shop open for business; others will find new lives as flower pots, stools, or playthings in alleyways. In this market, the largest open market in Africa, nothing truly retires, everything gets a second spin...


In-Picture

SOLE REST

A well-earned day off for shoes that have walked more miles than most of us dare to dream. On the sidewalks of the Bethel neighborhood, sneakers line up to dry while the shoeshine trades polish for gossip, stitch up tired soles, and sneak in a chat with friends, because even shoes need a social life. The air hums with laughter and wax mingling, and the occasional clink of a shoeshine brush hitting a tin of polish. For a few hours, the streets are a quiet hub of camaraderie, creativity, and the u...