Did Ethiopia Dig Into Mining Too Soon?

People have known that Ethiopia had huge mining potential ever since mineral prospecting began around the end of the 18th century. It was not until 1968 that mineral exploration began when the Ethiopian Geological Survey (EGS), which worked under the auspices of the Department of Mines and Energy, began to survey geological and mineral reserves.

Benishangul Gumuz Creeps Toward Commercial Farming

Since the 16th century the place located in western Ethiopia known as Bela Shangul, meaning “Rock of Shangul” named after a sacred stone found in the mountainous area of the present Benishangul Gumuz Region, is legendary for its vast area of fertile land suitable for agricultural production. The region was also the place where the Berta people originally settled when they arrived to Ethiopia.

Why the Price of Meat Has Become Damn Expensive to the Consumer

On January 6, 2011, on the eve of Ethiopian Christmas, the Ministry of Trade imposed price caps on selected basic commodities including meat. The decision was meant to curb the ever skyrocketing prices of basic food items. High government officials affirmed that the price caps were a retort to price gouging by merchants taking advantage on consumers and vowed to put a stop to this “market disorder.”

Footballers in France will hope for a winning strike of a different kind this December when they protest over a controversial super tax levied by the socialist government. Back in 2012, the now French President, François Hollande campaigned for the election promising to tax top earners with 75Pct income tax. The 75Pct tax rate was initially to be paid by those earning over EUR one million a year. After protests by top French executives and prominent personalities such as Gérard Depardieu, a French actor, film-maker, businessman and vineyard owner, the government changed the law so that it would be payable by the companies offering such salaries. This show cases how far progressive tax rate can go.

Big Business with Big Potential

In one of Maritu Legesse’s popular songs there is a lyric that reads “Wesheten new enji endiaw segedereder, enes lagere lij wuha shiche lider”. which can losely be translated as “I’ve been hiding my feelings; but [for you], I would even [waste/spend my time] selling water.” Asserting that she is willing even to sell water, which is too cheap to take to a market, to show what she would do for her loved one. Traditionally, selling water which was even as mentioned in the song, unimaginable, at least not in the Ethiopian context. Now, things have changed, and water has become by far, one of the most sellable products in the country.

A Significant Contributor in the Retention of Medical Professionals in Ethiopia

In November 2011, the British Medical Journal published a research article entitled “The financial cost of doctors emigrating from sub-Saharan Africa: human capital analysis”. The research, which was conducted by a group of medical scientists under the leadership of Edward J. Mills (Prof.), chair of global health at the University of Ottawa, Canada, concluded that Sub-Saharan Africa has lost USD2 billion yearly because of the brain drain related to medical professionals.