Unlicensed E-commerce Sites Prompt Timid Digital World

Mar 11 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

Only one website is legally registered with an e-commerce license in the country leaving out the current online markets unrecognized by the Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration. According to Jirata Nemera, head of licensing and regulatory at the Ministry, CropConex which offers a coffee transaction digital platform is the only online service provider officially registered under e-commerce service. CropConex was licensed as the first e-Commerce platform operator on November 2022. There are over 20 e-commerce websites in Ethiopia that are commonly referred to as e-commerce. Despite the Digital Ethiopia 2025 plan of the current administration, it seems the primitive electronic commerce sector has not even managed to gain proper licensing, as most of the sites offering the services operate under a commission license and delivery service license. This same principle is used by taxi-hailing electronic platforms who have to get a transport and a business license separately. The rapidly increasing internet usage nationally will require a legislative framework for businesses that develop around it according to several experts. Jirata said the essence of buying and selling goods or services and executing money and data transfer using the internet has been lost as trust is not built between end-users and service providers. The currently burgeoning expanded VAT proclamation will see to a tax on all digital service providers, which will be difficult to achieve if a proper classification of the businesses does not transpire. According to a report by the International Trade Administration, digital commerce is in its infancy in Ethiopia compared to its large population size. Other African countries strived and are far ahead in helping e-commerce, and online transactions flourish. Kenya legislated its Electronic Transactions Bill in 2007, and the Information & Communication Bill the following year.


Radar

Nib international Bank Faces Heavy Hit from Forex Revaluation, Pays 348 Million Br in Penalties

Nib International Bank S.C. (NIB) has reported a significant loss of 2.9 billion Br, primarily due to extraordinary foreign exchange revaluation losses, this past Saturday, during its annual shareholders meeting at the Millennium Hall on Africa avenue, Airport Road. The bank faced substantial penalties amounting to 348.4 million Br. These penalties included a 251 million Br fine for liquidity shortages and a 97.4 million Br charge for violations related to Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) payme...


Radar

Railway Network Upgrade Positioned as Engine of Economic Transformation

The National Railway Business Summit took place at Skylight Hotel on October 21, 2025, signalling a historic step in modernising its railway network as a foundation for national development and regional connectivity. Government officials, industry leaders, investors, and experts from around the world convened to discuss infrastructure expansion, financing models, and technology adoption. Asma Redi, chief portfolio director at Ethiopian Investment Holdings, noted that the Ethiopian Railways Co...


Radar

Gold Prices Ease After Recent Surge

The price of gold, which surged sharply in recent weeks, has started to decline in the current selling market. Over the past 15 days, 21-carat gold has traded between 24,000 and 25,000 Br per gram for imported products and around 21,000 Br for local gold. Imported 18-carat gold sold for 21,000 Br, while local 18-carat pieces were priced at 19,000 Br. Traders note that the recent increase was twice as high as typical fluctuations, attributing the spike to export patterns from Arab countries. ...