A Population Growth Perspective

Ethiopia has experienced different defining moments that have allowed it to survive for thousands of years. One moment, for instance, was the war against colonialist Italy during the second half of the nineteenth century, culminating in the Battle of Adwa. Today, Ethiopia has to choose another defining moment to ensure the material well-being and unity of the people and the survival of its cultures: Embracing industrialisation-led structural transformation.


SAM_6979-1-1-1280x852.jpg

Thieves’ Escape Route from Justice

In addition to house break-ins and street robberies in broad daylight, thieves are increasingly employing sewers to elude the law and their victims. Due to this, it has been challenging for the authorities to find and prosecute them. Numerous variables, including poverty, the country’s inflated economy, unemployment, and drug addiction, might be blamed for the rise in theft cases. Residents are making extra efforts to secure their homes as they grow more anxious about their safety. In this article, EBR’s Hemen Asmare looks into the increase in theft and burglary in Ethiopia, its root causes, and the need for government and community action to address the issue.



Addis Ababa, the dynamic capital city of Ethiopia, is grappling with an unprecedented housing crisis due to rapid population growth and urbanisation. The allure of Addis Ababa as Ethiopia’s political, economic, social and diplomatic hub has attracted a significant influx of people seeking better livelihoods, safe environment and job prospects. This surge in population, along with other factors, has led to a severe housing, transport and unemployment crisis in the city. It’s even transpiring unheard-of crimes in the broad day, while its impact on providing essential services has grown tremendously.



Around the world, supply is struggling to keep up with demand. Inflation remains stubbornly high, despite aggressive interest-rate hikes. The global workforce is aging rapidly. Labor shortages are ubiquitous and persistent.

These are just some of the forces behind the productivity challenge facing the global economy. And it has become increasingly clear that we must harness artificial intelligence to address that challenge.


93704701_L-1-1280x476.jpg

The Unintended Consequences of AI on Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have rapidly transformed how we live and work. This is evident in both developed and developing countries. AI has become an integral part of our daily lives, from self-driving cars to virtual assistants. Even though Ethiopia has yet to reach that stage, more advanced countries are already experiencing such transformative changes. However, the impact of AI tools is only sometimes positive. The emergence of ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI, capable of generating human-like text based on context and past conversations, has raised concerns among academic experts and professionals in education due to the possible hazards of ethical issues in schools like cheating and motivating students to put out the least amount of effort. In this article, EBR’s Eden Teshome assesses AI’s advantages, drawbacks, and limitations in the education sector.  


SAM_7056-1280x852.jpg

 A Thriving Scene for Music Enthusiasts, Night Owls Alike

Addis has a vibrant scene of culture in recent years; Jazz Nights have become a popular trend among the youth in the city, offering a unique experience for music lovers and night owls alike. With live jazz music performances in bars and clubs across the city, Addis Ababa offers a unique experience; from the famous Jazzamba Lounge to the Fendika Cultural Center, locals and tourists alike can enjoy the electric atmosphere and the sound of trumpets, saxophones, and drums filling the air. In this article, EBR’s Bamlak Fikadu discusses the growing popularity of live jazz music in Addis Ababa.             


How_Insurance_Works_How_MicroInsurance_Helps_maxwell_investments_group_maxwell_ampong_mig_-1280x535.jpg

Globally, the insurance industry is a critical component of the financial services sector, providing risk management and protection to individuals and businesses, funding capital-intensive infrastructure projects and long-term shareholders of listed firms, to name but a few of the activities they are involved in. Long-term contracts and a wide range of products characterise the industry, including life, health, property, and liability insurance. It is highly regulated, with specific rules and requirements for insurers to operate and manage risk. Like all other industries, the global insurance industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by digitisation, and this represents, for Ethiopia, a window of opportunity to radically re-design its insurance industry, further driving the changes experienced in the banking sector.


Bole-Lemi-1-e1694778633615-1280x611.jpg

The Ebbing Drift in the Industrial Sector

Ethiopia has undergone an economic transformation in recent years, driven by a comprehensive homegrown economic reform agenda launched in 2019. The plan prioritizes the development of various industries, including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, resources and energy, tourism, and food processing, to drive economic growth and reduce dependency on imports. However, despite the government’s efforts to revitalize the industry sector, recent data shows a significant decline in its contribution to the country’s economy over the past five years. EBR’s Bamlak Fikadu dives deep into Ethiopia’s recent industrial performances. 


importexport-1280x720.jpg

Ethiopia’s Economy Takes a Hit

Ethiopia has experienced a decline in its export earnings, posing severe challenges to covering its import bills. Unrest and conflicts have resulted in supply chain disruptions, hindering production and export. Ethiopia heavily relies on agricultural products for export, including coffee, oilseeds, and textiles. Fluctuations in global commodity prices significantly contributed to the country’s declining export earnings. The overall macroeconomic situation, which resulted in an overvalued local currency, has made it challenging to offer Ethiopian commodities at competitive prices in the global market. Limited transportation options, inefficient customs procedures, and inadequate port facilities add to delays and increased costs, making Ethiopian exports less competitive. The government’s decision demanding commercial banks surrender 70Pct of export proceeds further exacerbated the problem. EBR’s Eden Teshome explores. 



Ethiopian Airlines remains the top aviation brand in Africa’s Top 10 most admired brands in 2023. The airline flies to 131 international passenger and cargo destinations, including 63 African cities. With this figure, the airline enjoys the status of flying to more destinations on the continent than any other airline in the world. Among the 14 African brands in the Top 100 globally acclaimed brands, South Africa and Nigeria hold the most significant proportion of the African countries of origin.




Ethiopian Business Review | EBR is a first-class and high-quality monthly business magazine offering enlightenment to readers and a platform for partners.



2Q69+2MM, Jomo Kenyatta St, Addis Ababa

Tsehay Messay Building

Contact Us

+251 961 41 41 41

Addis Maleda
x