Fourth COVID-19 Wave Simmers Down

Aug 6 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

Concerns over a potential fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic ease as the number of positive cases has dropped in recent weeks. Health officials had raised the alarm in the early days of last June as positive and mortality rates began to spike. Despite the respite observed in recent weeks, the authorities caution the public to stay vigilant and adhere to social distancing practices and wear face coverings. The pandemic hit its peak in the closing days of 2021, with close to 5,200 positive cases recorded on December 28 alone. Close to 493,000 cases have been registered since early 2020, and 7,569 people had lost their lives to the virus as of last week. Health professionals have thus far administered over 52 million doses of various COVID-19 vaccines to the public.


Radar

AMG Holdings Breaks Ground on Industrial Rail Link to Ethio-Djibouti Railway

AMG Holdings has launched construction on a 2.5-kilometer railway connecting its Sheger Industrial Park to the Ethio-Djibouti Railway's Endode Station. The Ethiopian-led project comprises 1.7 Kms of main track and 800 meters of side rail. Chief Project Manager Engineer Nigist Hailu said the line is expected to be completed within six months, facilitating the transport of raw materials and finished goods to Djibouti's port. More than 100 local workers have already joined the project, with addi...


Radar

Ethiopian Deposit Insurance Fund Achieves Full Q1 Collection Target

The Ethiopian Deposit Insurance Fund collected 2.08 billion Br in the first quarter of 2025. This meets 100 percent of the target and represents a 26.83 percent increase compared with the same period last year. The rise in premiums was attributed to higher deposits from member financial institutions. To date, the fund has collected a total of 15.93 billion Br in premiums from member institutions, with 14.51 billion Br coming from regular deposits and 1.42 billion Br from interest-free depo...


Radar

Oromia Bank, Ethiopian Airlines Introduce Fly Now, Pay Later via Milkii Digital App

Oromia Bank's Milkii Digital App, launched on May 3, 2025, has introduced a “Fly Now, Pay Later” service that lets customers book Ethiopian Airlines tickets using digital loans, with payments spread over six months after travel with 16.5 interest rate and allows customers to book flights upto 300,000 Br. Developed in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines, the platform is part of a broader effort to expand digital finance and simplify access to services. The initiative seeks to enhance conven...