Taxi-Hailing Veteran Banks on Mobile Money

May 28 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

A taxi hailing industry leader has partnered with state-owned Ethio telecom to avail clients a new payment option. Ride's passengers can now use the telecom operator's Telebirr mobile money platform to pay for their trips. The agreement between the two companies also looks to onboard Ride drivers as salespeople for Ethio telecom. They will augment close to 700 sales centres operated by Ethio telecom by selling subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. Ride, co-founded by Samrawit Fikru as a subsidiary of Hybrid Designs Plc, began operations in March 2017 with a capital of 40,000 Br. It quickly rose to the forefront in Ethiopia's nascent ride-hailing industry. However, the company faces stiff competition in the form of Feres, which has gained significant market share since it became available for download in early 2020. Telebirr has garnered over 18 million users since it was launched a year ago.


Radar

Construction Sector Faces 'Serious Trouble,' Minister Warns

The construction industry in Ethiopia is in "serious trouble," said Chaltu Sani, Minister of Urban & Infrastructure Development, citing major challenges with finance, competitiveness and material costs. Speaking at the opening of the BIG 5 Construct Ethiopia expo and the inaugural East African Infrastructure & Water Expo at Millennium Hall last week, Chaltu stressed the need for concerted efforts from government, private sector, and international partners to support the 67 billion dol...


Radar

Wegagen Bank, Gift Real Estate Partner to Promote Diaspora Homeownership

Wegagen Bank S.C. and Gift Real Estate Plc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 23, to offer housing loans for homebuyers, with a special focus on the Ethiopian diaspora. The agreement enables eligible diaspora members to access loans covering up to 80pc of a home's value at reasonable interest rates. The bank's Deputy CEO Kidane Gebreselassie noted the deal will promote the real estate sector and expand homeownership options. Founder and CEO of Gift Real Estate, Gebreyesus Igata...


Radar

Jimma University Signs Sports Science Agreement to Strengthen National Programmes

Jimma University has signed a four-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, Derartu Tulu Sports Training & Research Institute, and the Oromia Youth & Sport Bureau to advance Ethiopia's sports science and training capacity. Signed on June 26, the agreement includes joint research, shared facilities, and hosting of national and international competitions. It is expected to strengthen youth development, public health, and national pride through coor...