EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

Oromia Bank’s interest-free banking (IFB) financing has grown to 7.5 billion birr as of February 28, 2026, up from 4.5 billion birr in June 2025, a 67 percent increase in just eight months, while total IFB deposits rose from 10.2 billion birr to 11.78 billion birr during the same period, according to figures shared with EBR.

The IFB customer base expanded from 1.8 million to 2.1 million over the eight-month period, reflecting continued strong adoption of the bank’s Sharia-compliant banking services. The bank also distributed 3.75 million birr to six charitable organizations at the bank’s annual Ramadan charity program held on Tuesday at its headquarters.

EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

The Ministry of Finance has unveiled a comprehensive new directive aimed at overhauling the compensation system for temporary staff employed in development programs and projects funded by international partners. Directive Number 1125/2025, issued in March 2026, seeks to establish a uniform and transparent salary structure for workers across all federal and regional government offices, replacing the previous framework established in 2025.

The new regulation introduces standardized salary scales, detailed in four attached schedules, which apply to all project-funded personnel ranging from support staff to high-level specialists. By categorizing these temporary positions into four distinct groups Special Advisors, Sector-Specific Technical Professionals, Project Staff, and Support Staff the directive aims to eliminate pay discrepancies where similar roles across different projects might receive varying compensation.

EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

New data from the World Bank’s flagship industrial policy report reveals that Ethiopia employs a distinctive mix of policy tools with 33.2 percent of its interventions classified as “fiscally expensive” and average tariffs of 10.5 percent, positioning it among developing economies that rely heavily on second-choice instruments despite limited fiscal space, according to the newly released “Industrial Policy for Development: Approaches in the 21st Century.”

The report, authored by Ana Margarida Fernandes and Tristan Reed, provides the first comprehensive global database of industrial policy implementation, covering 183 economies. Ethiopia recorded 10 discriminatory policy measures between 2021 and 2023, with none classified as “firm-specific” suggesting the government relies on broad-based instruments rather than targeted interventions requiring intensive administrative capacity.

EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

Ethiopia and Italy have signed a bilateral debt restructuring agreement in Rome, marking a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to restore debt sustainability under the G20 Common Framework and reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations, according to a joint announcement from the Ministries of Finance of both countries.

The agreement was formalized by Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and Italy’s Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti as part of the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) process. The deal represents the culmination of negotiations following the Memorandum of Understanding reached with official creditors in July 2025.

EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will resume direct passenger services between Addis Ababa and Atlanta beginning May 21, 2026, restoring a key connection between Africa and the southeastern United States after a temporary interruption of the route since February, according to a statement from the airline.

The service will reconnect Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, providing passengers with access to Ethiopian’s extensive network across Africa via its Addis Ababa hub. The route will operate three times weekly using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

EBR_News Mar 18, 2026

The Ethiopian Agricultural Works Corporation (EAWC) and Green Agro Solution’s digital platform Lersha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to modernize agricultural services for smallholder farmers, aiming to facilitate credit access for one million farmers by 2030 through digital technology, according to an announcement made at the Skylight Hotel on Tuesday.

The agreement focuses on improving farmers’ financial capacity using digital platforms, facilitating access to agricultural inputs and mechanization services, and enhancing technology adoption through training. Lersha will connect smallholder farmers to input suppliers, including seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals as well as mechanization service providers, while providing advisory services on climate change adaptation.

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.