Ethiopia to Privatize Six Enterprises

Wednesday, 27 June 2012 Ethiopia is set to privatize six enterprises through auction as the financial year winds down. Ghion Hotel and Awash Winery are expected to be part of the six according to sources.

Israel to Share Agricultural Expertise with Ethiopia

Wednesday, 27 June 2012 Israel is interested in sharing expertise and technology in the areas of agricultural extension, research, irrigation, livestock and poultry development among other areas with Ethiopia according to Orit Noked, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the State of Israel.

Skype me? Indeed | Text of Ethiopia’s draft Telecom Law

The world wide web was awash with news reports of alleged ban of VOIP services by Ethiopian in the past week.

One of those was Al-Jazeera’s news brief that stated:

A new law in Ethiopia has criminalized the use of VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services such as Skype. Users could face up to 15 years of jail time. The law was passed May 24th, but the story wasn’t picked up by international media until recently.

The story was erroneous, however.

To begin with, the said ‘law’ – A Proclamation on Telecom Fraud Offences – is only a draft and only passed the first reading stage of the legislative process to date. This stage is more of procedural and hardly deals with the contents of a draft legislation.

Secondly, the closest thing to a prohibition of Skype in this draft law is found in Article 10 sub-article (3) and (4) that state:

source: http://danielberhane.wordpress.com

Official: ‘Skype and similar activities are not banned in Ethiopia’

According http://danielberhane.wordpress.com

"Skype and similar activities are not banned in Ethiopia. There is no law that prohibits or restricts their utilization here in Ethiopia. Nor does the [draft] law aim to prevent IP-related internet activities, that is cyber activities like social media, Twitter, etc.”, said a senior Ethiopian official in a phone interview.

The remark was made in reference to the draft Telecom Fraud Offences proclamation, which was tabled in the parliament, on May 24, for first reading and referred to the relevant Standing Committee, for review.

USAID provides Ethiopia $675 million assistance

Wednesday, 20 June 2012 16:26
By The Africa Report The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) late Tuesday granted Ethiopia a $675 million grant for economic and social development.

Map of Ethiopia

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Launches E-Banking

Tuesday, 19 June 2012 The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia announced the launch of internet banking services for the 74 branches connected through integrated banking solutions (Core Banking).

Nile dam: Water wars averted for now

By Katrina Manson(Financial Times) June19, 2012 When Ethiopia’s plan to dam the Blue Nile grew grander within a month of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, it did not go unnoticed in his country, downstream, Nile-dependent Egypt.

Rendition of the Grand Renaissance Dam

Ethiopia grab spot in next round of CAN 2013 qualifiers

BBC Sport June 17, 2012

Ethiopia held on to a 1-1 draw against Benin to go through to the next round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, and knock out their hosts.Other teams celebrating after Sunday's qualifiers are Zimbabwe, Mozambique, DR Congo and Togo, who all made sure of their progress.

But Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Burundi have been eliminated from the race to South Africa 2013.

The winners go through to the final round of qualifying later this year.

Ethiopia showed that their revival is no fluke - following up a fine couple of performances in World Cup qualifying with a solid display in Cotonou.

They went behind against Benin but bounced back to equalise in difficult conditions, and held on for a 1-1 draw which takes them through on away goals.

Blog: How I navigated Kenya using Twitter

Nairobi, Kenya (CNN) -- Surfers beware. There is an incredibly influential and vocal group on Twitter, using a common hashtag and blazing keyboards to ensure their African country is discussed fairly and with respect online. Kenyans on Twitter, better known as #KOT, are a 21st century phenomenon born out of the social media boom and growing economy in East Africa's most populous city, Nairobi.

Opinion: Could Africa be world's next manufacturing hub?

Washington D.C. (CNN) -- With domestic labor costs rising, many Asian manufacturing producers are now looking to relocate their factories in other regions of the world. Could Africa replace Asia and/or China as the world's next manufacturing hub?

Yale honors Ethiopian minister of health at global conference

Addis Ababa, June 13 (WIC) - Tedros Adhanom, Ethiopia’s minister of health, has been awarded the Stanley T. Woodward Lectureship at Yale University, given to distinguished international visitors to the University.

Tedros was one of 23 senior health practitioners and researchers from South Africa, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Ghana who convened at Yale for the fourth annual Global Health Leadership Institute (GHLI) conference, June 4-8.

Ethiopia-Canada trade could soar with new direct flight from Toronto

Tue Jun 12 2012(thestar.com)-Nola Kianza makes a business trip to Ethiopia every other month, spending up to 48 gruelling hours in-transit each time.But starting July 17, the Toronto investor will cut his trip to 14 hours as a new Ethiopian Airlines route is set to make Africa just a flight away from Toronto.

AU moves summit to Ethiopia after Malawi snubs Bashir

ADDIS ABABA | Tue Jun 12, 201(Reuters) - The African Union has moved its July summit to the Ethiopian capital after Malawi blocked the attendance of Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the bloc said. Malawi last month asked the African Union to prevent Bashir from taking part in the event, saying his visit would have "implications" for its aid-dependent economy.

Tullow Oil to Begin Exploration in Ethiopia

June 11, 2012-Tullow Oil, a UK company, is set to start drilling its first well in Ethiopia by the end of this year. Tullow has hired a drilling company to start operation in October according to sources. It is to be remembered that Tullow bought a 50% stake in a concession in a South Omo Valley from Africa Oil. The concession was originally farmed out to Africa Oil by British company White Nile which has been prospecting for oil in the South Omo Valley since 2005

Birla Corp Considering Cement Factory in Ethiopia

Friday, 11 June 2012- In its first foreign country investment, Birla Corp is set to erect a cement plant in Ethiopia. The MP Birla group company has already formed Birla Corp Cement Manufacturing Plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary in the East African Country. Previously Birla Corp had tried unsuccessfully and lost to a Chinese company a bid to construct a cement plant for Habesha Cement S.C.

Ethiopia issues new tender for 35,000 T wheat

Mon Jun 11, 2012 (Reuters) - The Ethiopian government has issued another international tender to purchase 35,000 tonnes of milling wheat, European traders said on Monday.The bidding deadline is June 19. Origin was optional, traders said.

Dagmawit Berhane: Ethiopia getting ready to grab some gold

Markos Berhanu on Jun 6th, 2012

Mrs Dagmawit Girmay Berhane, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee.

How does the Ethiopian national team expect to perform in the Olympic Games in London 2012?
We are doing our preparations. We have a bigger team now trying to finalize the qualifications. And it is mostly the athletics that we are going to take part. And then probably we are expecting our boxing team to qualify and then through the universal access we are going to have one swimming competitor. So, the preparation is going on and our team is preparing.

Ethiopia proposes $7 billion budget

Thursday, 07 June 2012The Ethiopian Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved a $7 billion budget for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, the highest the country has ever passed.This is up from the $5.6 billion budget adopted last year. The budget, which has an emphasis on developmental projects, also provides for a subsidy for federal states and will be allocated in accordance with a formula crafted by the Ethiopian Federal House.

Ethiopia: Regional strength, economic progress

Outmanoeuvring opponents in Eritrea while bringing allies into play in Somalia, Meles is looking for an international role. This has been a good year for Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, at home and abroad. Economic indicators vindicate his developmental state model, with international institutions writing complimentary reports. Internal opposition to his regime has remained muted. He has also consolidated Ethiopia's position in the region. The premier is chair of the regional Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD), a position he has held for the past two years. Meles has used the position to persuade other IGAD countries to isolate Eritrea.

Planting Hope

Ethiopia. What images are conjured up in your mind by the mention of this country? For many, it brings up images of desert. Or famine. Perhaps a bony little boy with skin stretched over his protruding ribs.

Bombardier Q400 NextGen planes headed to Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – June 5, 2012 The second batch of Canadian firm Bombardier made Q400 NextGen airplanes are set to be delivered to the Ethiopian Airlines starting the last quarter of 2012.


The five remaining planes have been upgraded with seven business class seats, bigger baggage compartments, two lavatories, spacious overhead and an oven for hot meals.

Ethiopia's Konso cling to tradition, earning UN recognition

By Jenny Vaughan (AFP) – June 3, 2012 KONSO, Ethiopia — The booming drums and lusty singing of Ethiopia's Konso tribe, celebrating their hometown joining the UN's list of World Heritage Sites, echoed down the road that winds through lush green hills.

South Korea finances Ethiopia-Sudan power project

June 3, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – The South Korean government has approved Ethiopia a soft loan amounting $80 million to support part of the Ethiopia-Sudan electric power transmission line construction and expansion project.

Ethiopia earns $70.8 million from textiles

Markos Berhanu on Jun 4th, 2012

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Textile exports brought in almost USD 71 million during the last ten months.

That’s almost 50pct better than last year but short of the USD 136.3 Million they hope. As expected, value added finished products like garments and woven crafts have been selling more, 75.1 percent and 5.2 percent respectively.


Textile fabrics were 10.7 percent and yarn at just above nine percent.

Ethiopia aims for 75% access to electricity by 2015

1 June 2012 - According to the Africa Report, Ethiopia has been able to raise electricity coverage to almost half of the country. The country claims to be have one of the highest electricity coverage levels on the continent.