May 3-9, 2025
Health workers threaten nationwide strike; Tax revenues hit 1 trillion; Enat Party under investigation; "Maritime Police Force" to protect GERD; "Quarterly" fuel adjustment strikes 6 weeks early.
Business & Finance
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) issued a May 8 public notice confirming that Ermias Amelga & Genesis Investment Services (PLC) are under official investigation for raising funds through unauthorized securities offerings.
Safaricom projected that its losses in Ethiopia would fall steeply this year & forecasted a 50% surge in earnings.
Heineken Ethiopia is investing 26 million EUR to enhance its Qilinto brewery, boosting production & reducing carbon emissions amidst increasing barley prices.
Ethiopian Airlines dismissed accusations of discriminatory recruitment practices targeting graduates of universities in the South, Southwest, & Tigray regions.
State-owned Ethiopost & DARS plan to jointly provide document drafting services, alarming small business owners in the sector.
Oromia International Bank introduced Milkii, a new digital fuel-payment app allowing customers to buy fuel on credit, on May 3.
The London Court of International Arbitration reportedly ruled in favor of the Ethiopian Railway Corporation in a dispute with Turkish contractor Yapi Merkezi.
The Ethio-Djibouti Standard Gauge Rail Transport Share Company has been accused of monopolizing the logistics sector.
The Federal Supreme Court has ruled in a long-running corruption case involving Cosmo Trading PLC, absolving the co-defendants of all charges.
The Addis Ababa Investors Forum (AAIF) wrote a letter to the Ministry of Industry (MOI), sounding the alarm over widespread land seizures threatening the survival of hundreds of factories, & urging government protection.
The Addis Ababa City Administration approved licenses for 5 out of 18 bike rental service applicants, with operations set to begin next week.
A bureaucratic spat between 2 Addis Ababa City Administration bureaus is financially straining the city's advertising industry.
The theatre scene is facing shrinking audiences, soaring costs, & a lack of venues.
Economy & Development
The Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration (MOTRI) announced fuel price adjustments effective May 8, just 6 weeks after the last hike on March 23. Gasoline prices increased to ETB 122.53 per liter while jet fuel & black diesel prices have decreased slightly to ETB 109.56 & 104.08, respectively.
The gap between the official & parallel market forex rates stood at around ETB 26 this week as the official rate averaged at ETB 132.91 per dollar while the black market rate averaged around ETB 159. Banks have been urged to align their forex rates with the black market. Find different banks’ forex rates here and read more about this week’s forex market here.
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) conducted its 5th forex auction on May 7, selling $60 million to 16 banks at a weighted average exchange rate of ETB 132.94.
A new NBE directive imposed stringent new capital adequacy rules for commercial banks, aiming to compel them to meet international standards & strengthen their ability to withstand financial shocks.
The Ministry of Industry (MOI) announced that the industrial sector has increased its market share to 41% on May 3, marking an 11% rise compared to last year.
The Ministry of Revenue (MOR) reported that tax revenues have surpassed ETB 1 trillion, with the federal government alone contributing ETB 720 billion. MOR plans to collect a total of ETB 1.5 trillion in 2017 E.C.
MOR announced a significant increase in khat smuggling, resulting in a $90 million decrease in khat revenues compared to last year.
Pensioners are facing growing hardship, with rural retirees hit hardest as inflation and depreciation erode benefits, leaving many in poverty and poor health.
Society & Human Rights
The Ethiopian Health Professionals Movement issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Health (MOH), threatening legal action and a nationwide strike if its demands for fair pay & improved working conditions are not met before May 11. The Ethiopian Health Professionals Association (EHPA) urged the government to immediately address their demands in a May 7 statement. Learn more about the movement here.
Ethiopia dropped to 145th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, down from 141st in 2024, amidst controversial amendments to the media law & widespread journalist arrests. Meanwhile, Eritrea remains in last place.
14 diplomatic missions in Ethiopia issued a May 3 joint statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, expressing concern over the increasing suppression of press freedom in Ethiopia.
EBS Television, its sister company & 3 employees have been charged with hate speech & disinformation after EBS aired a documentary on a 2020 abduction & rape case involving military personnel.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is investigating allegations that the ENDF is forcibly conscripting youth, including underage children.
EHRC urged the government to end ongoing armed conflicts in Amhara & Oromia regions & called for the criminalization of abductions, citing ongoing arbitrary detentions in Amhara.
Amnesty International called for an international campaign to pressure the Ethiopian government to immediately halt forced evictions under the controversial Road Corridor Development Project (RCDP).
Abune Petros, the EOTC Archbishop of New York, has been allowed to enter Ethiopia after previous prohibitions. Meanwhile, EOTC is set to officially register its traditional instruments as part of its sacred heritage.
Governance & Corruption
The Council of Ministers approved a series of directives last week, including allowing foreigners the right to own property, & joining the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
The Ministry of Transport & Logistics (MOTL) announced plans to change the vehicle license plate coding system during an April 30 meeting, with the existing system of plate identification by region to be replaced by one national “ET” plate ID. Learn more here.
A parliamentary committee revealed that regional governments are managing 297 illegal checkpoints across Ethiopia without federal authorization, obstructing the free movement of goods and services & harming trade activities.
The Federal Police announced the formation of a new maritime police force tasked with ensuring security around the GERD as its massive artificial lake begins operations.
An app developed by the Ethiopian AI Institute has been selected as the “Best Police Application” ahead of the World Police Summit. Meanwhile, a technology used by the Harar Police Commission has helped prevent numerous crimes.
Amhara regional officials enacted a land reform law that replaces 2 decades of rural land policy. Meanwhile, the Amhara Regional Justice Bureau has reportedly prevented the unlawful seizure of a 3.3 million sq/m plot of land valued at ETB 16.8 billion in Bahir Dar.
Addis Ababa Science & Technology University (AASTU) announced that it would begin enrolling undergraduate students for its upcoming nuclear science program in 2026.
The Addis Ababa City Administration warned against consuming agricultural products grown in riverside farms, citing contamination by industrial chemicals.
The Addis Ababa City Administration instructed roadside businesses to display “both external & internal lights” from 6PM-6AM, or face fines of up to ETB 10,000.
Humanitarian Needs
Irregular migration is on the rise amidst low school enrollment rates as the youth flee poverty, conflict, repression, & humanitarian conditions. Learn more here.
The Amhara Regional Educational Bureau revealed that 32% of the 685 secondary schools in the region will not conduct university entrance examinations due to the ongoing war. Learn more about the Amhara conflict here.
The Gambella region faces a growing humanitarian crisis due to a cholera epidemic, an influx of South Sudanese refugees, & humanitarian funding cuts.
At least 8 IDPs living in camps in Axum, Tigray region have died in the last 3 months due to hunger & lack of medical care.
Politics
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) accused the opposition Enat Party of misusing government funding & asked the Federal Police to launch a criminal investigation into 3 senior party members, including the President.
The Ministry of Peace (MoP) accused the TPLF of “politically motivated obstruction” of its efforts to return IDPs to disputed areas in the South Tigray zone, asserting that IDPs were being used as “political pawns” to manipulate public sentiment during a parliamentary address.
Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) President Tadesse Werede highlighted that returning IDPs was his top priority but reiterated that 40% of the Tigray region remains under the control of non-ENDF armed forces & asserted that DDR and national reconciliation efforts can only occur after their withdrawal.
The Authority for CSOs (ACSO) invalidated the Tigray Development Association (TDA)’s recent General Assembly in a May 6 letter, citing procedural irregularities & a lack of transparency. The Global Society of Tigray Scholars & Professionals (GSTS) had recently accused the TPLF of dominating the TDA.
The TIA warned against any unsanctioned engagement with foreign powers in a May 8 statement, describing such actions as “dangerous” and a threat to the war-torn region’s governability.
Conflict & Security
At least 18 people, including 13 government employees, were reportedly abducted by the OLA in the East Borena zone of the Oromia region on May 8.
At least 10 people were reportedly abducted by members of the Fano militia in the East Wollega zone of the Oromia region on May 4.
Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu asserted that 90% of the Amhara region is under government control during an interview with NBC Ethiopia.
Geopolitics
Kenya is negotiating a 50 to 100 MW increase in electricity imports from Ethiopia to address rising domestic demand.
UN ECA & other organizations reiterated calls for the establishment of an African-led credit rating agency following the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.
China launched the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa (CCCA) on April 28, aiming to deepen economic ties with the continent and position itself as a free trade partner in contrast to the U.S.'s tariff-driven trade policies.
Korea EXIM Bank pledged $871 million to support 11 major infrastructure projects across Ethiopia during a high-level meeting hosted by the Ministry of Finance.
The Federal Police signed an MOU with Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces to enhance cooperation on various issues.
41 Ethiopian migrants previously held in Myanmar’s cybercriminal camps have arrived safely in Thailand, with more than 700 others still waiting to cross the border.