Reshaping Education, Business, and Development

The rise of remote work, fuelled by technological advancements, presents a global opportunity for development. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption, the groundwork was laid over the past 30 years. This shift allows individuals to access education and jobs regardless of location, empowering those without traditional access. Developing nations can capitalize by fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems to move beyond just outsourced work. Challenges like policy reform and potential social disruption exist, but the real game-changer is the promise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements to streamline remote work’s benefits further. This exciting prospect for technology investors opens up a world of possibilities. Will governments seize this chance to drive growth and inclusivity? Charles Ferguson, a technology investor and policy analyst who is the Director of the Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job, argues in an article exclusively sent to EBR by PS.



An Opportunity for a New Insurance Solution?

Earthquakes, often regarded through the lens of traditions and beliefs as a divine punishment, rank among the most frightening natural disasters due to their destruction capacity and inherently unpredictable nature.

Geoscientists emphasize that Ethiopia’s diverse regions experience varying levels of seismic activity due to their location along the African Great Rift Valley region and tectonic plates. This underscores the urgent need for earthquake preparedness, as earthquakes have been a longstanding reality in Ethiopia, with numerous perceptible tremors occurring.



Born in the rural town of Mezezo, 190km from Addis Ababa in North Shewa, Dawit Tsige moved to Addis Ababa when he was three. Living with his uncle in the Yeka Sub-City, he began his educational journey at Bitweded W/Gebriel School. He later attended Dej Wondirad Preparatory School and Salaysh Primary School, where he discovered his passion for singing in the eighth grade. Despite his uncle’s encouragement to pursue a more traditional career as an engineer or pilot, Dawit immersed himself in the vibrant 90s music scene, honing his craft and writing lyrics.

As a young adult, Dawit balanced work in woodworking and construction with his musical ambitions. His big break came when he joined the Ethiopian Air Force Music Club, where he ranked second in a competitive audition. This experience provided a solid foundation for his music career. He later participated in a music program organized by the Culture and Tourism Office, performing at traditional night events and eventually returning to the Air Force to showcase his talent across various cities.


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A Growing Burden on Amanuel Hospital

For many years, Amanuel Hospital has been Ethiopia’s sole mental health services provider. With increased awareness about the illness and rising demand for care, many government and private hospitals have started integrating mental health care with other services. There has also been an increasing number of private practices in the capital and big regional cities. Despite these changes, the burden on Amanuel Hospital remains. The hospital accommodates 500-600 patients daily. With rising demand for holistic care, shortage of staff, and inadequate funding, one of the oldest health institutions faces multifaceted challenges, including the need for more resources, better infrastructure, and increased public awareness. EBR’s Dr. Brook Genene assesses the current situation of the hospital and the state of mental health care in the country.


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Showcasing Ethiopia’s Hidden Gem to the World

The vast and geographically diverse State of Oromia has remained relatively unexplored for an extended period, with its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and historical sites largely unknown to the global tourism market. The State has faced significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, ongoing conflicts, and misleading travel advisories, which have hindered tourist inflow. However, a transformative initiative has emerged: Visit Oromia, launched by the Oromia Tourism Commission in 2019. This program aims to unlock the State’s untapped tourism potential by promoting inbound travel and emphasising its unique attractions. Visit Oromia is set to reposition Oromia as a vibrant tourist destination, reshaping perceptions and highlighting the beauty and resilience of the Oromo people. In an exclusive interview, EBR’s Mintesinot Nigussie spoke with Lelise Duga, the visionary commissioner of the Oromia Tourism Commission, also known as Visit Oromia, about this groundbreaking initiative’s vision and strategic goals.


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Can the Nation Power the Future with Local Battery Production?

In a move that could reshape its industrial landscape, Ethiopia is setting its sights on a new frontier: the local production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Still in its early stages, this ambitious plan aims to leverage the nation’s rich cobalt and lithium resources to position Ethiopia as a critical player in the rapidly expanding global EV market. The full details of this initiative have yet to be publicly disclosed, but early indications suggest that the Ethiopian government is laying the groundwork for a transformative venture that could not only boost the country’s economy but also influence the global EV market, writes EBR’s Eden Teshome.


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The Uphill Battle of Dealing With Historical Baggage of Inefficiency, Corruption, and Political Interference

Ethiopia’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are currently in the midst of a significant transformation. The government’s ambitious reforms, which encompass privatization, enhanced governance, and financial discipline, have the potential to reshape these entities into efficient and profitable organizations. However, this journey is not without its challenges, including addressing legacy issues, ensuring social equity, and navigating complex political dynamics. The results of these reforms will determine whether Ethiopia’s SOEs will experience a renaissance or a decline. EBR’s Munir Shemsu reports on this pivotal moment in Ethiopia’s economic history.


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Its Impact on Remittances

Ethiopia’s recent decision to float its currency, the Birr, marks a transformative moment in its economic landscape. This decision has significant implications for remittance flows, an essential lifeline for countless families. As the Birr depreciates sharply, the purchasing power of remittances is altered, impacting both senders and recipients amid rising inflation and economic challenges. EBR’s Eden Teshome explores the dynamics of these changes, the role of international financial institutions, and how the Ethiopian government’s reforms aim to stabilize the economy.


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Balancing Revenue Goals, Citizen Concerns

The Ethiopian Ministry of Revenue’s aggressive pursuit of tax revenue to address its widening budget deficit and ambitious development goals has sparked significant concerns. The recent introduction of new taxes and tariffs, coupled with the expansion of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) system to previously excluded sectors, has raised questions about their potential impact on the economy and the welfare of citizens.

While the government aims to broaden the tax base and improve tax collection efficiency, critics argue that the rapid pace of reforms and the singular focus on revenue targets could inadvertently harm economic growth and exacerbate inequality. This raises a pressing question: How can Ethiopia balance its fiscal needs with the imperative of fostering a sustainable and equitable economic environment?
The delicate balance between revenue generation and economic well-being is a complex challenge. That’s why the government needs to carefully consider the potential consequences of its tax policies to ensure that they contribute to fiscal sustainability and promote long-term economic growth and social equity. EBR’s Munir Shemesu reports.


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In the latest African Top 100 Banks rankings, Ethiopia stands out with five banks represented, highlighted by the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, which ranks 28th overall. This bank boasts a Tier 1 capital of USD 1 billion, a key indicator of its financial strength and ability to absorb losses, and an impressive ROE of 30%, a measure of its profitability. Tier 1 capital is a bank’s core capital, including equity capital and disclosed reserves, which is a crucial indicator of a bank’s financial strength and ability to absorb potential losses. ROE, or Return on Equity, measures a bank’s profitability and calculates how much profit a bank generates with the money shareholders have invested. The Development Bank of Ethiopia is close behind, coming in at 44th with a Tier 1 capital of USD 613 million.




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



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