EBR_News Mar 12, 2026

Ethiopia’s legal cigarette market has contracted by an estimated 67 percent between 2019 and 2025, while illicit volumes more than doubled following aggressive excise tax increases, according to a new study commissioned by the National Tobacco Enterprise (NTE) and conducted by Oxford Economics Africa.

The report, titled “Cigarette Market Dynamics in Ethiopia After Changes in Excise Policy and Rates,” analyzed market developments from 2019 through October 2025, covering two major policy shifts: the introduction of a mixed excise regime in early 2020 and a subsequent increase in the fixed rate component in June 2024.

Prior to 2020, Ethiopia levied a 75 percent ad valorem excise tax based on production costs. The new regime implemented in Q1 2020 introduced a mixed system comprising a 30 percent ad valorem rate based on factory gate prices plus a fixed charge of 8 birr per pack of 20 sticks. This pushed the average excise per pack up by more than 200 percent, according to the study.

EBR_News Mar 11, 2026

By Betegbar Yaregal

Ethiopian Cargo will join the Freightos cargo booking platform at the end of this month, integrating digital rates, quoting, and ebooking capabilities across Africa’s largest air cargo network, according to an announcement made at Mobile World Congress Barcelona.

The integration includes WebCargo Pay for fast digital payments and interlining capabilities, enabling freight forwarders to search, quote, and book airline capacity in seconds rather than hours, the company stated. Ethiopian Cargo operates Africa’s largest air cargo network, serving more than 145 destinations worldwide through dedicated freighters and passenger belly capacity, offering high-speed and priority shipment options.

Pablo Pinillos, CFO and Interim CEO of Freightos, noted that global trade has become far more volatile, and access to speed and reliability matters more than big promises. “With Ethiopian Cargo on our platform, forwarders will be able to unlock practical tools to move freight when capacity, routes, and costs are constantly shifting, resulting in less friction, more optionality, and fewer spreadsheets,” he said.

EBR_News Mar 11, 2026

By Betegbar Yaregal

Ethiopia generated $1.35 billion from coffee exports in the first six months of the current fiscal year, shipping 200,000 tons to international markets, though the volume fell short of the target as some exporters withheld stock anticipating further price increases, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Communications Director Yimer Dawud told a press briefing today that coffee remains Ethiopia’s largest export commodity, contributing 50 to 65 percent of agricultural export earnings and over 25 to 30 percent of total export revenues. The country ranks fourth globally in coffee exports and third in Arabica production, behind Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia.

The government has set an ambitious target of exporting 600,000 tons and earning $3 billion by the end of the fiscal year. However, only 74 percent of the volume target was achieved in the first half, despite exceeding revenue projections. Yimer attributed the shortfall to “the wrong assumption that the production stock and the dollar exchange rate would increase,” leading some exporters to hoard coffee in anticipation of better prices.

EBR_News Mar 11, 2026

By Betegbar Yaregal

The African Development Bank has launched the Integrated Aviation Transformation Program (IATP), a continent-wide initiative featuring a $7 billion financing facility and a separate “Pooled Regional Sukuk Platform” to mobilize Islamic finance for airport infrastructure, with Ethiopia among the pilot countries where the program will be implemented.

The program was unveiled during the Airlines, Capital and Connectivity Forum in Nairobi on February 25-26, co-hosted by the AfDB and the African Airlines Association. It is structured around three pillars: policy and safety modernization; airline and fleet renewal supported by a pan-African financing platform; and infrastructure development through innovative financing mechanisms including the Sukuk platform targeting airport infrastructure, cargo hubs, and air navigation systems.

EBR_News Mar 11, 2026

By Betegbar Yaregal

Ethiopia has emerged as a leading force in Africa’s hotel construction boom, with nearly 80 percent of its pipeline rooms currently under construction the highest ratio on the continent as the country races to expand accommodation capacity ahead of hosting the COP32 climate conference in 2027, according to the 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report by W Hospitality Group.

The report reveals that Africa’s hotel development pipeline has reached a record 123,846 rooms across 675 hotels, growing 18.6 percent year-on-year. Ethiopia ranks fifth on the continent with 5,964 rooms across 34 hotels in the pipeline, behind Egypt (45,984), Morocco (10,606), Nigeria (8,480), and Kenya (6,190).

What sets Ethiopia apart, however, is execution momentum. The country has 79.9 percent of its pipeline rooms under construction the highest in Africa alongside Kenya at 79.5 percent, and well ahead of Tanzania (77.5 percent), South Africa (67.2 percent), and Nigeria (39.2 percent). Trevor Ward, Managing Director of W Hospitality Group, noted that “what stands out this year is the strength of East Africa in terms of projects moving forward.

EBR_News Mar 10, 2026

Nib International Bank has been named Best Bank Digital Transformation Ethiopia 2026 by the UK-based Global Banking & Finance Review®, recognizing the bank’s outstanding commitment to digital innovation and customer-centric banking solutions, according to an announcement from the awards body.

The award highlights institutions that demonstrate excellence in leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, strengthen digital infrastructure, and expand financial inclusion. Nib International Bank distinguished itself through a comprehensive digital transformation strategy that integrates advanced banking technologies with forward-thinking leadership and a strong governance framework.

Barnali Pal Sinha, Editor of Global Banking & Finance Review®, congratulated the bank’s leadership and team, stating that “winning the Best Bank Digital Transformation Ethiopia 2026 award reflects Nib International Bank’s clear strategic vision and commitment to embracing innovation. The bank has demonstrated how digital transformation can drive financial inclusion, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.”

The selection process evaluated multiple criteria including implementation of innovative digital banking platforms, measurable improvements in customer experience and accessibility, expansion of mobile and online banking capabilities, strength of cybersecurity frameworks, operational efficiency achieved through automation, financial inclusion initiatives, strategic partnerships, and scalability of transformation initiatives.

The bank has significantly enhanced its digital banking ecosystem by introducing secure, user-friendly platforms designed to meet the evolving needs of retail and corporate customers alike. Through continued investment in infrastructure, digital channels, and talent development, Nib International Bank has positioned itself as a leader in Ethiopia’s rapidly modernizing banking sector.

The recognition comes just over a year after the bank reported a 2.9 billion birr annual loss in the 2023/24 fiscal year triggered by foreign exchange market reforms, followed by a strong recovery with 1.1 billion birr profit in the first quarter of the current fiscal year and 2.2 billion birr in half-year results.

In addition to strengthening mobile and internet banking capabilities, Nib International Bank has streamlined internal processes through automation and integrated systems, reducing turnaround times and improving service reliability. The bank’s commitment to cybersecurity and regulatory compliance ensured that innovation is matched by robust risk management and governance standards.

The 2026 Global Banking & Finance Review Awards® celebrate institutions and leaders driving progress across the global financial industry through an independent and transparent evaluation process identifying organizations that demonstrate innovation, resilience, strong governance, and measurable impact within their respective markets.

EBR_News Mar 10, 2026

By Betegbar Yaregal

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is placing severe pressure on global fertilizer markets, threatening to disrupt Ethiopia’s agricultural sector just as the critical belg planting season approaches, according to a new analysis examining the implications for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ethiopia imports over 90 percent of its nitrogen fertilizer requirements, primarily from Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran, with shipments routed through the Red Sea corridor already strained by months of disruptions. The conflict has triggered a surge in global urea prices, with U.S. futures jumping approximately $130 per tonne in the first two days following the strikes, the report notes.

Agriculture accounts for roughly 35 percent of Ethiopia’s GDP and employs over 70 percent of the population. The country imported $1.2 billion worth of fertilizer in 2023, making it one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest fertilizer importers. Principal staple crops including teff, wheat, maize, sorghum, and barley are deeply dependent on timely fertilizer availability.

EBR_News Mar 10, 2026

MIDROC Investment Group has reported total sales of 65.99 billion birr in the first half of the 2025/26 fiscal year, surpassing its target and marking a 71 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to an announcement from the conglomerate.

The group reviewed its performance at the Sheraton Addis Luxury Collection Hotel, with the report indicating that the institution achieved 176 percent of its profit plan, representing a 95 percent increase year-on-year. MIDROC spent more than 18.4 billion birr in Taxes and other government obligations during the period, a 166 percent increase over the same period last year.

The group earned over $155 million in foreign exchange from products and services supplied to international markets in the first half of the year, a 53 percent increase compared to the same period last fiscal year.

CEO Jemal Ahmed stated that the results achieved across all sectors are encouraging while emphasizing the need to focus on marketing, production, and cost reduction. He said the company will concentrate on projects that ensure continued institutional effectiveness by updating project implementation and operating systems.

Jemal noted that MIDROC has completed projects that will make the country proud across all sectors with high quality, commissioning them within the first six months of the fiscal year. He urged all group management to be proactive in ensuring that major new projects are launched this fiscal year and completed on time.

The CEO reaffirmed that MIDROC Investment Group will continue strengthening its contribution to the national economy by increasing its share in domestic and global markets.

During the past six months, two flagship projects Denby Eco Lodge and the Arjo Coal Production Factory were inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). MIDROC Investment Group comprises more than 45 organizations organized across six sectors and currently provides employment for over 80,000 citizens.