Yohannes MekonenIn urban planning, few endeavours have sparked as much debate and criticism as the establishment of Sheger City, encircling the vibrant capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. This audacious plan has come under fire from various quarters for many reasons, including its unprecedented nature in city planning, unjust implementation, and questionable long-term sustainability. As stakeholders question its viability, it is imperative to reassess the plan and explore alternative approaches prioritizing equity, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.
Bamlak FekaduExorbitant School Fees in Addis
Private schools have sprung up across the country in recent decades, particularly in Addis Ababa, to meet the ever-increasing demand for quality education from parents who are willing and able to pay. Since their inception in the mid-1990s, these schools have made tremendous strides in terms of attracting a large student population and claiming to provide a higher-quality education. As a result, private schools have become an important alternative to the overcrowded and under-resourced public school system. Recently, their contribution has been severely questioned, as only a handful of them had their students join colleges and pass the national exam. Now, they are the centre of the conversation, mainly in the capital, for the unprecedented increase in their fees, writes EBR’s Bamlak Fekadu.
Liban GaashaanWinning Strategies for New Entrants
Ethiopia, one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, is becoming a promising destination for telecom firms looking to expand their business operations. With a population of over 115 million and a growing demand for telecommunications services, the country is attracting an increasing number of new entrants into its telecom industry; however, entering a new market takes work, especially in a highly competitive sector like telecoms. As a new entrant, building a viable business in Ethiopia requires a carefully planned and executed strategy. This article will discuss practical strategies for new entrant telecom firms to build likely enterprises in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian government opened its telecom sector in 2021, welcoming competition for more significant technological innovation. It also focuses on modernising the retail payment sector, E-Governance, E-commerce and the overall payment landscape. Since then, there is marked progress in the way business is conducted. Indeed, Ethiopia’s digital economy is booming, with the country experiencing a surge in internet usage and mobile phone penetration.
The government has launched several initiatives to promote the digital economy and entrepreneurship by broadening the avenues of participation for foreign investors and local job creation. However, the private sector lags in all these recent tech developments. Unlike other countries where the private sector is the leading player in technological innovation, in Ethiopia, the public sector has beaten in taking the lead in the digitisation evolution with Ethio Telecom and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, two of the giant state enterprises powerfully taking the lead, writes EBR’s Bamlak Fekadu.
Franck BousquetThe Sudan crisis that exploded in April is a stark reminder of the far-reaching spillovers of violent conflict in today’s integrated global economy. Beyond the suffering of the Sudanese people, a full-blown conflict would further destabilize the region. Sudan’s neighbours, such as the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Libya, and South Sudan, are already facing conflict, civil unrest, and food insecurity.
Ethiopian Business ReviewEthiopia’s digital transformation aims to overcome structural barriers to inclusive prosperity, alleviate macroeconomic imbalances and emphasise sectorial priorities. The government has indicated the private sector’s crucial role in realising the full potential of digital transformation.
Eden TeshomeFaith Helping the Addiction Fight
Ethiopia’s youth population is increasingly struggling with drug addiction. Many young people are resorting to drugs as a coping mechanism for the difficulties of poverty, unemployment, and social isolation, which worsens the situation. Those who are battling addiction find it challenging to access the necessary care due to the lack of rehabilitation facilities in the country as a whole. The ones that exist are frequently understaffed and underfunded. However, some monasteries and religious sites are attempting to address the issue and aid individuals who are fighting addiction. In this article, EBR’s Eden Teshome tells the story of those who are fighting their addiction with the help of religion.
The US dollar is the most common currency that comes to mind when discussing the World’s strongest currencies. Indeed 60Pct of global trade is conducted in USD. To everyone’s astonishment, the Kuwaiti dinar (KWD), not the US dollar, is the strongest currency in the World.
Hemen AsmareThe Human Hair Wig Business Grows Despite the Ban
Human hair has traditionally been utilised for weddings or on women with short or thin hair who don’t have beautiful hair. But now that human hair is fashionable, even women with long and thick hair are wearing human hair to alter their looks. In recent years, human hair wigs have grown in popularity, giving women a stunning appearance. Human hair wigs have become one of the most popular beauty and makeover choices in Addis Ababa and other major towns. In this article, EBR’s Hemen Asmare tells a story of how the human hair business is still growing despite the government’s ban on its import.
Michael Spence (PhD)For several decades, markets and market incentives were the main drivers of economic trends and policies. No longer. We have entered an age of political economy, in which the actions of governments and the possibility of drastic policy shifts have become the main determinants of economic performance.
