EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

Organizers of the 10th Ethio Health International Trade Exhibition and Conference have announced that this year’s event, alongside the 2nd National Medical Equipment Manufacturing and Innovation Exhibition, will take place from April 2-4, 2026, at the Addis International Convention Center (AICC), according to details disclosed at a press conference held today at Skylight Hotel.

The three-day event, organized by the Prana Events with Ministry of Health and Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), will bring together more than 90 companies from eight countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Russia, Turkey, the UAE, the USA, and Ethiopia. Over 40 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) trainings, the 3rd Digital Health Hackathon, and scientific forums are planned as major highlights.

Tadesse Teferi, President of the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies Manufacturers Association, told journalists at the press conference that “Ethiopia’s pharmaceutical market is currently valued at $1.8 billion, while Africa’s total market stands at $27 billion,” he said, noting that the market is projected to grow 15 percent annually, reaching $3.6 billion by 2030. “This creates a good opportunity for AfCFTA to be competitive and export products to neighboring countries.”

The president highlighted Ethiopia’s growing manufacturing capacity, revealing that the first National Medical Equipment Manufacturing Exhibition held last June featured 112 direct exhibitors and attracted more than 70,000 visitors. “The production of medicines and medical devices is not just a production agenda, but also a confirmation of health sovereignty. It is an economic agenda,” he emphasized.

Dawit Tesfagiworgis, Project Manager at Prana Events, explained that Ethio Health operates on two tracks. “In terms of exhibition, it is a platform where domestic and foreign medical manufacturing companies and service providers create a platform to discuss B2B relationships and other types of connections. The congress aspect involves more than 21 professional associations working together to develop health professionals through training and various course activities.”

Messay W/mariam, Deputy Director General at AHRI, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership with Ethio Health to organize the second National Medical Equipment Manufacturing and Innovation Exhibition. “One of Ethiopia’s biggest goals is to become the center of African pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing and research,” he reiterated, thanking the Ministry of Health for supporting the initiative.

Companies from Bangladesh, China, India, Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Ethiopia will showcase medical equipment, pharmaceutical supplies, laboratory products, and healthcare solutions to professionals and investors.

The event will also feature the 2nd Annual Scientific Forum, Healthcare Leadership Conference, Digital Health Forum with the 3rd Digital Health Hackathon sponsored by Orbit Health and BAO Systems, and specialized Pharma Panel Discussions addressing pharmaceutical production and supply challenges.

EBR_News Mar 17, 2026

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ozonnia Ojielo of Nigeria as the new UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, with the host government’s approval effective March 14, 2026, according to an announcement from the United Nations.

Ojielo brings more than 25 years of experience in sustainable development, governance, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention to the role, having overseen UN programmes and projects across four continents. He most recently served as UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, where he provided strategic leadership to the UN Country Team and engaged closely with development partners and senior government leaders to advance national development priorities.

EBR_News Mar 16, 2026

The AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics (CIBE), a globally recognized advisory and research institution based in the UAE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ethiopian Interest Free Finance Professionals Association (EIFFPA) to strengthen capacity building, advocacy, and knowledge sharing for the development of Sharia-compliant finance in Ethiopia, according to a joint press release issued today.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in key areas including professional education and training, conferences and seminars, public awareness initiatives, policy advocacy, and professional exposure visits. The partnership aims to support the growth of interest-free finance by engaging stakeholders, developing policy materials, and strengthening the technical capacity of industry practitioners.

EBR_News Mar 16, 2026

Chef Fariyal Abdullahi, an acclaimed culinary talent of Ethiopian ancestry, has been selected to create exclusive inflight meals for United Airlines’ international business-class passengers, according to a March 12 announcement by the airline.

Fariyal, the Executive Chef of the renowned New York restaurant Hav & Mar, is one of 11 world-renowned chefs from four continents chosen to curate regionally inspired dishes for United’s Polaris business class. Her cooking at Hav & Mar is described as a convergence of her travels and Ethiopian ancestry, brought to life with an infusion of European technique and unique flavors.

EBR_News Mar 16, 2026

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has issued an urgent call for strict fuel conservation across Ethiopia, citing severe disruptions in global oil supplies caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict that has made it increasingly difficult for importing nations to secure consistent deliveries, according to a statement posted on his social media pages.

The Prime Minister urged fuel distributors, gas station operators, and the general public to prioritize essential services and use fuel responsibly until regular supply chains are restored. “We must all act with a sense of responsibility by saving fuel and prioritizing basic necessities,” Abiy stated, emphasizing that collective discipline is required to navigate the current global energy challenge.

The appeal follows a nationwide crackdown announced last week by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, who warned that legal action has begun against entities accused of selling subsidized fuel above government-mandated prices. The government allocates more than $4.2 billion annually to import petroleum products, with current subsidies reaching 98.29 birr per liter for white diesel and 73.56 birr for gasoline compared to international delivery prices at Djibouti port.

Authorities have initiated legal measures targeting traders and collaborators operating outside official distribution channels, with studies showing that fuel imported with large foreign-currency allocations is being diverted and sold on black markets at inflated prices, creating artificial shortages.