United States Joins Locust Outbreak Fight

Feb 22 , 2020


[ssba-buttons]

The United States has pledged eight million dollars in funding to help control the outbreak of desert locusts in East Africa. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was in Addis Abeba this week for a three-day visit, announced the pledge at a joint press conference he gave with Gedu Andargachew, minister of Foreign Affairs at Sheraton Addis Hotel. "I'm pleased to announce the United States is providing eight million dollars in additional funding to support regional locust control operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia," said Pompeo. The outbreak is the worst to strike Ethiopia and Somalia for 25 years and the worst infestation that Kenya has experienced in 70 years. To fight the outbreak, the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)has requested a total of 76 million dollars in support of which, it has mobilised 15.4 million.


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...