US Renews National Emergency, Sanctions on Ethiopia

Sep 14 , 2025


[ssba-buttons]

The United States has extended the national emergency and sanctions on Ethiopia for another year under the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). Signed by President Donald J. Trump, the measure was first declared on September 17, 2021, through an executive order citing the conflict in northern region of the country as an "unusual and extraordinary" threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The extension, effective until September 17, 2026, keeps in place restrictions targeting individuals and entities linked to the crisis. It was published in the Federal Register and formally transmitted to Congress. Washington pointed to ongoing instability, violence, and human rights concerns as grounds for maintaining the sanctions. The fallout on Ethiopia’s economy has been severe. While exports to the U.S. had surged from under one million dollars in 2000 to nearly 280 million dollars in 2021, recent disruptions have forced 20 companies to halt operations, 18 to exit the country, and left over 11,000 workers jobless. In industrial parks alone, losses have reached 45 million dollars, underscoring the heavy toll of strained trade relations.


Radar

EthSwitch Sees Record Profit, Expands Digital Payment Reach

EthSwitch, the national switch operator, reported a record 1.4 billion Br gross profit for the fiscal year ending June 2025, a 34pc increase from last year's 1.06 billion Br. The performance was driven by a sharp rise in interoperable transactions, reflecting the country's growing embrace of digital payments. Person-to-person (P2P) transfers led revenue generation with 902.6 million Br, nearly half of total income, followed by ATM transactions contributing 825.1 million Br. Overall revenue cl...


Radar

Lion Bank Delivers Robust Results, Rewarding Shareholders

Lion International Bank S.C. posted a profit before tax of 1.8 billion Br for the last fiscal year, marking a 94pc surge from the previous year. The announcement was made during the bank's General Assembly held last week at the Sheraton Addis Hotel. After provisions and taxes, the bank registered a net profit exceeding 900 million Br, with shareholders earning 27pc per share. Deposits climbed by 23pc to 44 billion Br, up from 35.6 billion Br, while total loans and advances reached 36.2 billio...


Radar

Berhan Bank Lifts Earnings as Reforms Ease Forex Strain

Berhan Bank reported a 28.1pc growth in its latest fiscal year, buoyed by economic reforms and relaxed forex directives. The Bank's total deposits climbed to 44.5 billion Br by June 30, 2025, up 7.6 billion Br from the previous year. Net profit distributed to shareholders rose by 36pc, while total income reached 10.3 billion Br, marking a 61.4pc increase. Interest income accounted for nearly 59pc of total earnings, driven largely by the repeal of the National Bank's 70pc forex surrender rule...