Bloomberg-Backed Training Seeks Boosting Financial Journalism


A new financial journalism training program expected to boost the country's emerging capital markets kicked off last week. The initiative, a partnership between Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA), Addis Abeba University, and Unity University, seeks to equip journalists with the tools to accurately and comprehensively report on the country's financial landscape. The seven-month training program is expected to start in September. It has been in the works for over a year following an invitation from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) and offers a comprehensive curriculum covering financial reporting, data analysis, and economic policy. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, with support from the Ford Foundation and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the training is BMIA's signature program, developed to increase the pipeline of skilled financial journalists and analysts embracing a data-driven journalism culture across Africa. It was launched at Hyatt Regency, and saw the attendance of officials such as Hana Tehelku, director general of the Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority, and Aguil Deng senior program manager at Bloomberg LP. According to Christine Mwangi, secretariat director of Strathmore Business School, trainees will benefit from the expertise of business journalists and industry leaders, as well as hands-on experience with the Bloomberg Terminal while philanthropic partners are covering the tuition and program costs, ensuring accessibility.


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Amendment Expands Access for Foreign Traders

Foreign participation in Ethiopia's wholesale, retail, import, and export trade sectors has come under renewed focus as the Ethiopian Investment Board(EIB) approved a significant amendment to Directive No. 1001/2016  in its meeting on May 23, 2025. The amendment, proposed by the Ethiopian Investment Commission(EIC), focuses on refining the legal framework governing foreign investment in these sectors. The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's appeal as an investment...


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NBE Sets Four Percent Ceiling on Foreign Exchange Fees

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SantimPay Launches Zero-fee Digital Remittance Platform

SantimPay has rolled out FrankRemit, first fully integrated, zero-fee digital remittance platform, in partnership with Bank of Abyssinia(BOA). The service smoothly connects all commercial banks and major mobile money providers, including Telebirr, M-Pesa, and CBE Birr which is a first of its kind in the country. FrankRemit is expected to revolutionise how the Ethiopian diaspora sends money home. Developed locally and tested over the past two weeks with successful transfers from multiple count...