@EthiopianAirlines – Page 2 – Ethiopian Business Review

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), in collaboration with global payment leader MasterCard, has introduced both plastic and virtual international prepaid cards, a move set to enhance digital payment accessibility in Ethiopia.

The launch, officiated by CBE President Abe Sano and MasterCard Africa President Mark Elliott, marks a major step toward modernizing Ethiopia’s financial ecosystem. These prepaid cards will enable users to conduct international transactions with greater convenience, supporting online purchases, travel expenses, and cross-border payments.

CBE officials emphasized that the initiative aligns with the bank’s ongoing efforts to expand digital financial services and provide customers with secure, flexible, and globally accepted payment solutions. The virtual card, in particular, is expected to cater to the rising demand for secure online transactions, while the plastic version offers a physical alternative for international spending.

Ethiopian consumers are facing yet another fuel price increase as the government adjusted petroleum prices overnight, marking the second hike in just two months. The Federal Ministry of Trade and Regional Cooperation announced that the new prices took effect yesterday.

The latest adjustment sets a liter of gasoline at ETB 112.67, while white diesel now costs ETB 107.93 per liter. This follows a significant increase in January 2025, when gasoline prices crossed the ETB 100 per liter mark for the first time, reaching ETB 101.47, while white diesel was priced at ETB 98.98 per liter. The March hike represents an additional 11% rise in gasoline prices and a 9% increase in diesel prices within just two months.

The January fuel price adjustment was attributed to fluctuations in global oil markets and ongoing economic reforms. However, the latest hike comes unexpectedly, as authorities had previously signaled that fuel prices for March would remain unchanged from February. The sudden revision has left businesses and consumers concerned about its impact on transportation, logistics, and the overall cost of living.

With inflation already a pressing issue in Ethiopia, experts caution that consecutive fuel price hikes could further drive up costs across various sectors. Both consumers and businesses are expected to keep a close watch for any potential price adjustments in the coming months.

In a major step towards expanding Ethiopia’s global trade connections, the Pakistan-Ethiopia Business Forum was successfully held at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Regional Office in Lahore. Organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy, the forum brought together senior officials and business leaders to explore investment opportunities between the two nations.

The event was presided over by HE Dr. Jemal Beker Abdulla, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Pakistan and Special Envoy, alongside high-ranking representatives from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and FPCCI officials. Notably, 26 business chambers from Punjab participated, highlighting the strong interest in Ethiopia as a key trade partner in Africa.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Jemal Beker emphasized Ethiopia’s strategic position as Africa’s business gateway, inviting Pakistani businesses to take advantage of the country’s vast economic opportunities. He outlined Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reforms, which have significantly improved the business climate, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and ICT.

“The business community of Pakistan has a unique opportunity to invest in Ethiopia, benefiting from cheap, clean, and green energy, a large and skilled workforce, and unmatched connectivity to Africa and beyond,” the Ambassador stated. He also underscored Ethiopia’s role as a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), making it easier for investors to access Africa’s 1.4 billion consumers.

A major highlight of the discussion was the growing role of Ethiopian Airlines in bridging the economic ties between Africa and Pakistan. Ambassador Jemal Beker noted that Ethiopian Airlines has already launched flights from Addis Ababa to Karachi, with operations from Lahore expected to start soon. This expansion will facilitate smoother trade and investment flows, positioning Ethiopia as the preferred African hub for Pakistani businesses.

The forum also focused on the upcoming 5th Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference (PATDC) and Single Country Exhibition (SCE), set to take place in Addis Ababa in May 2025. The Ambassador urged Pakistani businesses to participate, stressing that these events will enhance bilateral trade and open new investment opportunities.

Senior officials, including TDAP Director General Abdul Karim Memon and FPCCI’s Pakistan-Ethiopia Business Council Chairman Ibrahim Khalid Tawab, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic relations with Ethiopia. Manzoor Ul Haq Malik, Former Regional Chairman of FPCCI, praised Ethiopia’s leadership in fostering economic cooperation and assured continued engagement from Pakistan’s private sector.

Source: Business Recorder

Ethiopian Airlines, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Immigration and Citizenship Service have signed a landmark agreement aimed at revitalizing Ethiopia’s tourism sector by capitalizing on the country’s strategic position as a global transit hub.

The agreement, signed by Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa, Immigration and Citizenship Service Director General Selamawit Dawit, and Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tassew, sets the stage for a coordinated effort to expand and develop the economic potential of Ethiopian tourism.

A key focus of the partnership is stopover tourism, leveraging Addis Ababa’s status as a major connecting hub to encourage international travelers to explore Ethiopia’s rich cultural and historical attractions during layovers. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tassew emphasized that the initiative will be instrumental in attracting more visitors to the country, reinforcing its reputation as a premier African destination.

Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa echoed this sentiment, stressing the economic importance of unlocking Addis Ababa’s tourism potential. “Addis Ababa is not just a transit point, but also a destination. If we can attract even a fraction of the travelers passing through Bole International Airport, we can generate significant foreign exchange earnings and create additional job opportunities,” she stated in a social media post.

The initiative will also introduce a specially designed stopover package, making it easier for transit passengers to experience Addis Ababa’s vibrant culture, heritage, and hospitality. “It is important to establish a coherent framework between key institutions so that our country can benefit from the potential of stopover tourism to the desired extent,” Minister Selamawit added.

The collaboration marks a strategic move to transform Ethiopia’s tourism industry into a key driver of economic growth, aligning with broader national efforts to position the country as a global tourism powerhouse.

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