Visa, a global digital payments platform, successfully concluded a comprehensive one-day training event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aimed at strengthening risk management capabilities and enhancing operational excellence among its partners in the region.

The session brought together professionals from leading financial institutions, fintechs, and digital banking teams across the country. The training was designed to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital payments ecosystem.

Yared Endale, Country Manager for Visa Ethiopia, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative; “This training reflects Visa’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s financial ecosystem. By equipping our partners with the knowledge and tools to manage risk effectively, we are laying the groundwork for a more secure, resilient, and inclusive digital economy. As Ethiopia continues to embrace digital transformation, Visa remains committed to supporting the country’s financial institutions with secure, innovative, and forward-thinking solutions that drive sustainable growth.

The event was tailored specifically for digital banking professionals, particularly those working in risk, compliance, and operations. It also served as a platform for peer-to-peer learning, industry networking, and the exchange of best practices in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Basil Kithinji, Director of Risk for Visa East Africa, emphasized the broader impact of the session: “Risk management is not just a back-office function—it’s a strategic enabler of trust and growth in digital finance. Today’s training empowered our clients with practical insights and fostered collaboration across the ecosystem. We’re proud to be a trusted partner in their journey.”

Participants praised the session for its relevance, depth, and practical value, noting that the training provided actionable strategies they could immediately apply within their organizations.

 The 35th regular session of the House of People’s Representatives began deliberations on Ethiopia’s draft budget for the upcoming 2025/2026 Ethiopian fiscal year.

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide presented the government’s proposal, outlining a record ETB 1.93 trillion budget. This represents a significant 34% increase compared to the previous year’s allocation. The minister justified the ambitious figure by citing substantial economic progress achieved during the current FY. 

In the budget speech, the Minister announced that ongoing macroeconomic reforms had successfully stabilized the economy, citing key achievements: an 8.5% economic growth rate, a sharp decline in inflation from 34.5% to 13%, and a record-high export revenue of $7.2 billion hailed as an unprecedented national milestone.

The finance minister detailed the government’s funding strategy for the proposed 2 trillion ETB budget. He projected that 1.5 trillion ETB (approximately 75%) would be sourced from domestic revenue streams combined with foreign aid and grants. The remaining balance, roughly 500 billion ETB, is expected to be covered through proceeds from government bond sales and securing foreign loans or credits.

Jaquar Group, an international manufacturer of bathroom and lighting solutions, has officially inaugurated its flagship showroom in Addis Ababa, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Ethiopia through both business investment and community development.

Located on the first floor of the Joburg Building near Kazanchis Total, the new showroom is designed as a one-stop destination for Jaquar’s premium range of bath and lighting products, tailored to the needs of the Ethiopian market.

The launch event drew key industry figures, media, and stakeholders, offering guests an immersive introduction to Jaquar’s latest innovations and global design standards.

“This isn’t just about bringing our products to Ethiopia,” said Mr. Ricardo Lage, Business Head for Africa and Francophone countries at Jaquar. “Our aim is to be a partner in Ethiopia’s growth by helping build a skilled workforce, raising industry standards, and creating sustainable employment.”

Beyond commercial operations, Jaquar is investing in professional training and certification programs—particularly in plumbing to empower local technicians with in-demand skills. The initiative reflects the company’s focus on community upliftment through education and job creation.

The Ministry of Innovation and Technology has announced the official launch of the Ethiopian Technology Agency, now operational within the newly established Quality Village. The launch was marked by a high-profile ceremony attended by key government figures, including Dr. Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology, and Dr. Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration. The event underscored the government’s commitment to institutionalizing quality and innovation as central pillars of economic competitiveness.

In his opening remark, Dr. Belete highlighted that creating a friendly and conducive environment is crucial to guaranteeing the effectiveness of technology regulation efforts in the country. He further emphasized that the agency has done several major initiatives, including the construction of laboratories, and upgrading a radioactive waste storage center. The minister described the “Quality Village” as a powerful symbol of Ethiopia’s technological advancement, underscoring its critical role in accelerating the nation’s progress in innovation and technology.  

During the inauguration, Dr. Kassahun Gofe received formal recognition from authorities for his exemplary leadership in delivering the Quality Village project on schedule. Expressing his gratitude for the acknowledgment, Dr. Kassahun called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to enhance Ethiopia’s quality competitiveness on the global stage.

The Minister in his remark stated that building such an advanced village is a strategic move to foster a prosperous economy and has a sustainable benefit for the coming generation.

Operating under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI), the Quality Village brings together key national institutions, including the Ethiopian Standards Institute (ESI), Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise (ECAE), Ethiopian Metrology Institute (EMI), Ethiopian Accreditation Service (EAS), and the Ethiopian Technology Authority (ETA).

Spanning 7.2 hectares, the facility comprises 20 uniquely designed mega-buildings, four main gates, and over 150 state-of-the-art laboratories. Fully integrated with advanced technological systems, the Quality Village stands as a bold testament to Ethiopia’s ambition to lead in innovation, quality assurance, and global competitiveness.

The Oromia Investment and Industry Bureau has announced that more than 1,000 high-net-worth individuals have collectively committed over ETB 28 billion in capital to coffee development projects across the Oromia Regional State.

According to the bureau, a total of 1,468 investors are currently engaged in the sector. These investments have led to the creation of over 16,000 permanent jobs and more than 69,000 temporary employment opportunities.

Mohammedsani Amin, Deputy Head of the Oromia Agriculture Bureau, stated that the projects are already generating positive outcomes in terms of productivity and operational efficiency. He noted that investors are employing improved coffee varieties and modern processing technologies—such as coffee harvesters and combines—to enhance both yield and quality.

A significant portion of the coffee produced under these initiatives is destined for the export market, contributing to the country’s much-needed foreign currency earnings. Meanwhile, the regional government is working to facilitate collaboration between investors and local communities through regulatory support and oversight mechanisms.