Railway Corp Launches Construction Unit for Regional Road Project

Aug 25 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

The financial issues of Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) are expected to be addressed as it establishes a new construction business unit. This initiative will focus on the maintenance of a 60Km road stretch in Oromia Regional State, connecting the towns of Robe, Gasera, and Ginir in eastern Bale Zone. The Corporation has partnered with IDCON Infrastructure Development Consultant Plc for consulting services for the project, expected to be fully finished by the end of the fiscal year. To undertake this construction work, ERC has obtained a first-grade contractor license from the Ethiopian Construction Authority. It has secured the contract four months ago, valued at 249 million Br, from the Ethiopian Roads Administration. The Corporation has also secured licenses for design and consulting services related to building, bridge, and highway construction. ERC, which falls under the Public Enterprises & Holding Agency, has been wrestling with marked financial issues with its debts ballooning to 126pc of its capital. According to the statement, diversification of services is aimed at mitigating the financial pressures the corporation has faced in recent years. The establishment of the new construction unit is seen as a crucial step towards improving the Corporation's financial health and sustainability.


Radar

Milkii App Disburses 25 Million Br in Collateral-Free Loans in Two Months

Oromia Bank's new collateral-free digital lending app, Milkii, has disbursed 25 million Br in loans without requiring collateral. Of this, 16 million Br has already been repaid, generating 1.4 million Br in revenue within just two months. Developed in partnership with Quantum Technology PLC, the app plans to make lending more accessible and inclusive, aligning with Oromia Bank's contribution to the Digital Ethiopia initiative. According to a press release, Milkii promotes financial inclusi...


Radar

Ethiopia Partners with UK to Ease Shipping Bottlenecks

The Ethiopian Freight Forwarders & Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 27, 2025, at Hilton Hotel Addis Abeba, to address skills gaps, customs delays, and corridor inefficiencies in the freight and logistics sector. The partnership focuses on technical cooperation, training, and regulatory reform. With over 90pc of trade dependent on the Djibouti corridor, rising congestion, customs...


Radar

Education Authority Sanctions Mishqen College for Rule Violations

The Education & Training Authority has issued a decisive directive last week, mandating legal action against Mishqen College for persistently defying regulatory orders and unlawfully continuing to offer higher education services. Mishqen College had previously been licensed to conduct undergraduate distance learning programs across multiple regions from 2019 to 2022. However, after serious regulatory breaches, the institution was ordered to cease all instruction, complete pending academic...