EBR_News May 13, 2026

Salaam Group has launched construction of a USD 160 million energy and logistics terminal in Djibouti, a project expected to strengthen fuel and commodity supply chains serving Ethiopia and the wider East African market.

The project, developed through Salaam Group subsidiary Fuelstor, officially broke ground this week in the strategic Damerjog corridor near Djibouti’s port infrastructure.

Spanning 22 hectares, the terminal will have storage capacity of approximately 400,000 metric tons for fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and edible oil products. The facility is designed as an integrated storage, trading, and redistribution hub aimed at supporting growing regional demand and shifting trade routes across East Africa.

EBR_News Apr 20, 2026

Natran Abdulfetah

The European Union and the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a $1.4 billion (€1.22) investment framework during the EU-Ethiopia Business Forum at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa. The agreement, signed by European Commissioner Jozef Síkela and the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene formalizes a financial commitment to African economic integration. This funding is part of the Team Europe Initiative and involves the European Commission and eight EU Member States: Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, and Sweden.

EBR_News Apr 15, 2026

By Betelhem Yetagesu

Russian e-commerce powerhouse Wildberries has officially launched its pilot operations in Ethiopia, marking the platform’s first major entry into the African market and positioning the country as a strategic digital trade hub for the continent. The move, which began with a soft launch in April, is part of a broader strategy to support Ethiopia’s “Digital Ethiopia 2030” agenda while creating new export channels for local producers of coffee, textiles, leather goods, and handicrafts.

The development follows a high-level partnership agreement signed in November 2025 between Wildberries and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country’s sovereign wealth fund managing over USD 150 billion in assets. The memorandum outlined joint efforts to adapt Wildberries’ platform to local conditions and to develop logistics and digital infrastructure. Speaking at a tech conference in Moscow, Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim confirmed that Ethiopian products are now available on the platform, with Ethiopian coffee already a well-known brand in Russia.

By Betegbar Yaregal– December 19, 2025

Ethiopis Tafara, IFC’s regional Vice President for Africa, has been named to New African magazine’s prestigious ‘100 Most Influential Africans’ list for 2025.

The US national of Ethiopian origin is recognized for his role in global finance and development, representing a significant acknowledgment for the diaspora.

This year’s compilation features 21 individuals in the Business and Finance category, making it the largest segment.

The list includes both established figures and influential newcomers such as George Elombi, the newly appointed President of Afreximbank, and Hazem Ben-Gacem, the Tunisian investor known for scaling global ventures.

Technology also features strongly, with eight entries focused on pioneers developing African-centric artificial intelligence solutions, emphasizing local ownership and problem-solving.

In a recent interview with EBR, Ethiopis reflected on the changes in Addis Ababa. He shared, “My earliest memory of the city is walking home from St. Joseph School. My experiences from ages 11 to 16 are particularly vivid, as I witnessed dramatic city changes.

”Even compared to my 2021 visit, the development today shows significant and ongoing progress. It gives a very positive image of the country”, he added

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Ethiopia and Italy, Tafara holds a JD from Georgetown University Law Center and an AB from Princeton University.

He is fluent in Amharic, French, Italian, Spanish, and English. His work at the IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, involves financing critical development projects across Africa, with significant engagement in Ethiopia’s economic landscape.

In total, the list represents 32 African nations, featuring 64 men and 36 women. Nigeria leads with 21 entries, followed by South Africa with 10, and Kenya and Ghana with seven each.

According to New African Editor Anver Versi, the list reflects a trend of Africans “reclaiming the African narrative” across fields from AI ethics to the arts during a time of global uncertainty.