Category: Focus

Modelling has been an established career in much of the world for a long time. Involved in advertising, runway shows, and everything in between, models have cultivated a reputation as being well paid and respected in many parts of the world. However, in Ethiopia, modelling was not seen as a career with a future, as was the case with many creative careers. In fact, it is only within the past decade or so that modelling has started to come into the mainstream, with televised competitions, and schools dedicated to the subject. EBR’s Menna Asrat spoke with industry insiders to understand how modelling is developing.

These days, free-to-air satellite television channels are increasing in Ethiopia. Contrary to the picture five years ago when only a few government sponsored television channels were operational, 16 private limited companies have currently received licences to broadcast their programs. However, governmental policy, access to quality content and huge capital requirements are jeopardizing the survival of TV channels especially those that have recently joined the sector as EBR’s Kiya Ali reports.

Street vending has become a part of everyday life in Addis. On almost every major pedestrian road, there are many young people displaying their wares, from electronics, to shoes, and calling out to city residents to visit them. While these products are cheap and convenient for many, street vending is becoming the gathering place for unemployed youth who move to the cities looking for new opportunities. At the same time, the sourcing of the products is feeding into the problem the country is experiencing with contraband, as many of the items sold on the streets are illegally smuggled into the country. Addressing these issues is a big part of the city administration’s agenda, as EBR’s Ashenafi Endale reports.

How Safe is Bottled water?

In the past decade, the bottled and mineral water industry has registered enormous growth. From less than 10 a decade ago, the number of companies in the industry has grown now to 70. However, even more operators who bottle water without licenses are filling the market, exposing consumers to health related risks. EBR’s Ashenafi Endale reports.

In the past, house rents in Addis Ababa have increased chiefly because of the critical housing shortage and the surge in demand for apartments and houses.
Over the past three months, however, rental prices have risen at an alarming rate, because of the rise in the number of Eritrean migrants, among other factors. EBR’s Ashenafi Endale investigates the matter.

Can it be a vibrant Hub?

Located 99 kilometers from Addis Ababa, Adama is one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the state of Oromia and is home to almost half a million people. Its key role as a route for a large portion of the nation’s imports and exports has made it one of the most energetic cities in Ethiopia. Even more, the completion of its first industrial park last month makes it one of the country’s most promising investment spots. Despite the growth in businesses’ desire to invest in Adama, the city administration has been unable meet demands for investment licenses, which have accumulated for the past four years. Recurrent water shortages and rising living costs have remained challenges for the city’s residents. EBR’s Ashenafi Endale, who visited the city last month, reports.

Why Exports of Ethiopian Services Remain Stagnant

The service sector in Ethiopia has suffered from a lack of government attention for a long time. It is still not part of the government’s strategy, even though it contributes close to 40Pct of the country’s gross domestic product. In Ethiopia, earnings from service export have long been dominated by traditional sectors- mainly travel and tourism services. This has undermined the competitiveness of firms that export services and the country’s ability to boost its service export earnings. Although service exports have potential, they have not grabbed the attention of policy makers so far, as EBR’s Samson Berhane reports.

Since its creation in 2009, Bitcoin has grown popular across the world. During its earlier years, it was almost monopolized by mega investors. But later on, with the establishment of Bitclub, ordinary people became able to invest in Bitcoin and to own small computing machines on their farm. This includes Hanna Teklie, an Ethiopian entrepreneur and many others who are investing in cryptocurrencies, as EBR’s Ashenafi Endale writes.

Hardships of National Service Recruits in Eritrea

Eritrea has long had a policy of national service, which conscripts the country’s youth into positions in its army and civil service. However, in spite of legislation limiting the term of national service to 18 months, many people are trapped in their service for many times that limit, even up to nearly 20 years. This, in addition to the already existing issues of low wages, strict anti-desertion laws, and alleges human rights abuses compounds the day to day issues faced by the soldiers. EBR visited Eritrea to get a glimpse at the lives of everyday people who are serving their country.

The New Year in Ethiopia brings with it a chance for rejuvenation, and for some lucky people, the chance to win a lot of money. However, many lottery winners don’t stay in the public eye, leading many to wonder what they did with the money they won. Even though everyone who buys a ticket seems to have some kind of plan for what they would do if they won, EBR’s Menna Asrat tried to find out what the reality is for those who strike it rich on these games of chance.