Ethiopian exporters are almost blind to international accreditation and certification systems. Even though there are significant outsourcing market opportunities in Europe, USA and Japan, Ethiopian exporters could not benefit from this, largely because they fail to meet standards. Such problems are not uncommon across sectors prioritized by the Ethiopian government, including coffee, leather, textile, garment, fruits and honey. The presence of few quality accrediting companies, both private and local, does not help Ethiopia buck this trend, chiefly because they lack international accreditation. EBR’s Ashenafi Endale probes into the matter.

Ethiopia is one of the few African countries to achieve a strong and broad economic growth in the past decade. But keeping up with this momentum has not been easy. The construction industry, one of the main engines to the economy, has come to a standstill. As many have become unemployed as a result of the slowdown, construction firms are experiencing loss and some are shifting to other sectors seeking better returns. EBR’s Kiya Ali reports.

Wildlife loss accelerating in Ethiopia

Globally, the decline of biodiversity is now recognized as one of today’s most serious environmental problems. The extinction of species is increasing, meaning they have disappeared forever. It is no different in Ethiopia. Wildlife biodiversity has shown a dramatic decline in recent years both in terms of type and size. The problem has been accelerating due to the expansion of agriculture, grazing land encroachment, illegal hunting, fishing, and natural catastrophes. The rapidly growing infrastructural expansion such as roads, government projects, and trans-boundary trade are also contributing to the loss of wildlife. EBR’s Kiya Ali explores the issue in depth.