Fekadu PetrosIt is said that merger and acquisition (M&A) is one of the two ways of corporate growth, the other being organic growth by increasing capital from internal sources. However, a good number of the banks in Ethiopia have opted for organic growth through rights issues, most of them resolving to increase their capitals by three to four folds to be implemented in the coming years. Quite invariably these capital increase resolutions rely on capitalizing dividends the companies expect to earn in the years to come – a rather slow process. Apparently, there is a clear lack of innovation in raising capital. The institutions are not the only ones to blame, however. Unfortunately, the banking (and insurance) regulation does not innovate. For instance, it outlaws the creation of varied classes of shares. One can issue only common shares in Ethiopian financial institutions.
Landry Signé (Prof.)The past year has been challenging for Africa. After a hopeful 2021, during which the continent-wide GDP increased by nearly 7Pct and every region experienced real growth, the economy slowed in 2022 amid rising inflation, monetary tightening, and geopolitical tensions. But it was also a year when African countries were finally able to make their voices heard on the global stage. At the start of another critical year, with the continent’s GDP projected to increase at a relatively modest pace of 4.1Pct, governments can take several steps to boost economic activity and ensure a sustainable future.
Michael Spence (PhD)Last November was an extraordinary month. Global leaders gathered for four major meetings: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Cambodia, the G20 summit in Indonesia, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Thailand, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt. What was striking wasn’t the timing of the meetings, but rather the evidence they produced that the tide might be turning away from confrontation toward renewed cooperation in the international arena.
Bereket AlemayehuOne of the occurrences of the final decade of the 20th Century that has profoundly impacted the Ethiopian economy and politics is arguably Eritrea’s independence from the country in 1993. It made Ethiopia a landlocked country, forcing it to depend on the ports of its neighbors to import and export goods, to say the least. Ethiopia currently relies on ports in Djibouti for 95 Pct of its international trade, while the Ports of Sudan and Berbera (mostly for aid) and Ethiopian Airlines (mostly for perishable goods, such as flowers) cover most of the remainder.
Mikael AlemuCOP27, the 27th Session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), started on November 6, 2022. The event, hosted by Egypt, marked the 105th anniversary of the Great October Revolution and took place 869 years after The Treaty at Wallingford.
This is not the first COP summit in Africa: COP7 and COP15 were held in Marrakesh, COP12 in Nairobi, and COP17 in Durban. UNFCCC is a very travel-happy organization, moving events from one continent to another almost every year.
Shimelis ArayaExplicating Some Misconceptions
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s strategic framework for inclusive economic growth and structural transformation. The continent is planned in detail on how to achieve this vision over a period of 50 years from 2013 to 2063; goals are also set. This Agenda packed with seven aspirations and twenty goals, which are aligned with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals that combine the social, ecological, and economic sustainability pillars. For a number of reasons, agriculture and African development are intertwined. One of the Agenda 2063 goals commits “to increase modern agricultural production and productivity,” implying agricultural growth is decisive for Africa’s transformation. However, the low agricultural development in the continent is linked to inadequate investments on the sector to stimulate sustained growth. The structural adjustment measures adopted to cut public spending at the end of the 20th century led to a decline in state-led agricultural initiatives in Africa. Policymakers are correcting the mistakes in the past, “Africa will take full responsibility for financing its own development,” as one of the 20 goals noted. Accordingly, it is imperative to emphasize the need for development-oriented financial institutions that support initiatives that have crucial developmental impacts. This article is mainly to explicate misconceptions regarding the roles played by public development banks, in general, and to provide evidence-based performance indicators on the success of current strategic reform plan of the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE), a reform plan aimed to strengthen the provision of cutting-edge development banking services Ethiopia.
Mario I. BlejerArgentina’s crisis-stricken economy stands in stark contrast to the country’s excellence on the football field. To break the never-ending cycle of macroeconomic crises, Argentineans must learn from their national team’s dedication, tenacity, and respect for the rules of the game.
Especially Under the New Commercial Code
In the period between the beginning of October and the end of December most publicly held companies convene their general meetings. This includes firms in the financial sector, whose high-profile assemblies are often newsworthy. Therefore, this is high time to talk about shareholder meetings and their relevance apart from fulfilling legal requirements.
It is often said that shareholder meetings are simply a formality. They have no real power except rubber-stamping the proposals of the board of directors. Whatever decisions are made at shareholders’ general meetings are made because the board wants them to be. If at all, the instances where shareholder meetings opted out of board proposals are few and far between. This is because, under the law, only the board of directors can prepare the agenda of the general meeting, and the meeting cannot discuss matters which are not on the agenda. But both by law and practice, the board prepares not only the agenda but also the proposed resolutions for approval. In effect, it is not just the agenda that the board presents to the meeting; it includes detailed proposals along with each agenda item.
Bernard LaurendeauThe Future of Ethiopia’s Economy at Stake
Ethiopia has been seen as one of the last frontiers of untapped growth in Africa. When the federal government decided a couple of years ago to liberalize the telecom sector and put an end to the 125-year-long monopoly held by Ethiotelecom, investors welcomed the news, and citizens for their part leaped for joy. The jubilation was understandable as the quality of the service delivered by Ethio telecom had been substandard, to say the least, and was the main cause, among others, for Ethiopia to be left at the station rather than being onboard the digital economy train.
Abdulmenan Mohammed Hamza (PhD)Recently, the three-decade-old policy stance on foreign banks’ entry was abandoned – a watershed event since the 1990s financial sector liberalization. A proclamation that would allow foreign banks to join the Ethiopian banking industry is in the pipeline. The proclamation allows four entry modalities: acquiring shares in the domestic banks, setting up a subsidiary, opening a branch office, and opening a representative office.
The decision caught many people, even the industry players, by surprise. While the government is optimistic about the benefits (particularly foreign currency inflows) accruing from the entrance of foreign banks, subsequent discussions have shown that many have fears and concerns. It appears that the concerns have alarmed the government to add more restrictive rules.
