Shining Light on Small Businesses

Mar 23 , 2025
By Kidist Yidnekachew

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The bustling streets of Addis Abeba now carry a heavier weight for business owners. The cost of doing business has been steadily rising, with new mandates adding to existing pressures. Take, for instance, the seemingly simple task of painting a shop’s exterior. If your establishment happens to face a main road, the requirement is a uniform grey. It is a small detail, but an added expense nonetheless. That’s just the beginning.

Beyond the paint, businesses are required to install specific lighting and transition to LED advertising displays, each demanding financial outlays. Perhaps the most talked-about regulations are those concerning operating hours and nighttime illumination. Businesses must now keep their lights on throughout the night, even when closed, and remain open until 9:30 PM. These rules have sparked considerable debate.

Who will shoulder the burden of the increased electricity bills? Will the government step in with subsidies, or will struggling business owners be left to bear the expense alone? Perhaps a shared responsibility, a "going Dutch" scenario, could be a possibility, but the details remain unclear, adding another layer of uncertainty.

However, the more fundamental question is: why must a business owner stay open until 9:30 PM if they do not wish to? Consider a small shop owner, a mother or father who treasures those early evening hours to connect with their family after a long day. They could also be someone with personal commitments, hobbies that bring balance to life or simply require rest. Unless we are talking about essential services like hospitals or pharmacies, the necessity of a uniform closing time feels arbitrary. While a lively city atmosphere may be desirable, should it come at the cost of business owners' autonomy and well-being?

These mandates, though introduced months ago, recently resurfaced in my mind during a conversation with a friend. We were discussing the exciting, yet often daunting, prospect of starting a business here in Addis Ababa. We often find ourselves discussing entrepreneurial ideas, and brainstorming what we could bring to the market, but for various reasons, our plans rarely materialize. This time, however, felt different. We decided to take the plunge.

Naturally, our research involved speaking with business owners to understand their realities.  Their responses were mixed. Many admitted they were in business out of necessity, with few other options. A common sentiment was slow sales and the constant struggle to break even – an experience visible in the many shops we pass daily, where owners sit waiting for customers who seldom arrive.

However, there are also stories of resilience and quiet success. We met a woman who runs a small electronics shop, the sole source of income for her family. With two children, a monthly rent of 30,000 Birr and a husband unable to work due to illness, her business is not just a livelihood; it is survival. In situations like this, perhaps our perception of "profit" needs an adjustment. If a business can cover all the essential bills and the hefty rent, isn’t that a form of success in these difficult times?

Interestingly, even those managing to stay afloat would voice complaints about the slow pace of business. A persistent unease lingers – a sense that things could, and should, be better. Some warned us against starting a business altogether, painting a picture far less glamorous than we might imagine. Sometimes, this advice comes from a place of genuine care, a desire to protect us from potential hardship. But for someone brimming with entrepreneurial spirit, and eager to contribute to the economy, such warnings can be discouraging.

My friend and I have made a conscious decision. We refuse to be disheartened by tales of failure. We actively seek encouragement; focus on the possibilities rather than the pitfalls. We understand the risks involved, and we know there’ll be stumbling blocks along the way. But we would rather try and fail than not try at all. But we would rather try and fail than not try at all. And in the vibrant, challenging, and ever-evolving landscape of Addis Ababa, that in itself feels like a victory.

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PUBLISHED ON Mar 23, 2025 [ VOL 25 , NO 1299]

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