FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS ADVERTORIALS FORTUNE AUDIO Fortune Careers TRADE AFRICA Election 2026 New TIME REMAINING UNTIL ETHIOPIA’S NATIONAL ELECTION 0Days 0Hours 0Minutes 0Seconds




Tech Innovation Competition Comes to Life

May 20 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

A project that aims to energise the business community launched a competition to spotlight young startups with innovative ideas last week. It strives to register over 1,800 people from Addis Abeba, Bahir Dar, Dire Dewa, Jimma, Dessie and Wolayta cities by the end of the year and support through business training, mentorship seed funding, investment networking and boot camp events. Dubbed Solve IT, the nationwide competition aims to build a tech-savvy community and promote technology use as a tool for social development. iCog Ethiopia has partnered with the U.S. Embassy and Dashen Bank to launch the competition, with winners promised to be funded a one million Birr seed money to start their projects. Paulos Birhanu, project planner of iCog Ethiopia, said the competition has reached 3,700 youth in the past couple of years. The ceremony saw the attendance of Ruth Anne Stevens– Klitz, the public affairs council of the U.S. Embassy, Endale Gebresillassie, marketing manager of Dashen Bank and Paulos Birhanu, project planner of iCog Ethiopia.


Radar

Annual U.S.–Ethiopia Real Estate Expo to Debut in July

Harvest Circle Inc., a U.S.-based organisation, will launch the first annual U.S.-Ethiopia Real Estate & Construction Expo in July 2026. The event will bring together Ethiopian and U.S. real estate developers, construction firms, banks, insurers, property managers, and investors to explore partnership, financing, and investment opportunities. Organisers say the platform seeks to promote private sector-led urban development, facilitate diaspora investment, and expand market access for Ethiop...


Radar

Addis Abeba Housing Bureau Warns Landlords against Illegal Rent Hikes, Threatens Legal Action

The Addis Abeba Housing Development and Administration Bureau has issued a warning to landlords attempting to impose unauthorised rent increases or carry out unlawful evictions as the residential leasing cycle nears its statutory June 30 deadline. The warning follows reports of landlords pressuring tenants to vacate properties under claims of personal use or sale, alongside demands for steep rent hikes, according to comments made to state media. Kidist W. Giorgis, Head of the Bureau, said...


Radar

Development Bank Turns Corner as Profit Hits Eight Billion Br

The Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) posted a gross profit of eight billion Br in the first nine months of the fiscal year while repaying 15.6 billion Br in outstanding debt. Total income reached 17.3 billion Br, exceeding its target by 12pc. Presenting its performance to the House of Peoples' Representatives Standing Committee for Government Development Organizations, the bank highlighted progress from ongoing reforms, including reducing its non-performing loan ratio to 13.4pc, below the Nati...