Business

IMF to Decide on Ethiopia’s $3.4 Billion Program, Unlocking $250 Million Boost

Addis Ababa – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board is set to meet on Friday, January 17, 2025, to evaluate Ethiopia’s progress under its $3.4 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program. If approved, the second review could unlock over $250 million in funding, providing a significant boost to Ethiopia’s ongoing economic reform efforts. This

January 17, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Politics

Tibor Nagy Returns to U.S. State Department with Focus on Africa and Global Affairs

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, has announced his return to the U.S. State Department in a temporary role that will expand beyond his established focus on Africa. Nagy, who has decades of diplomatic experience, including serving as U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia and Guinea, is expected to bring his

January 16, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

FirstBank Expresses Interest in Entering Ethiopia’s Financial Market

In a move that highlights the growing appeal of Ethiopia’s financial sector, FirstBank, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has announced its intention to expand into the Ethiopian market. This decision follows Ethiopia’s recent efforts to liberalize its banking industry, opening the door for foreign players to establish a presence in the country. Speaking to

January 16, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

TikTok Ban Threat: Will Ethiopian Creators Lose Their Diaspora

TikTok, one of the most popular social media platforms globally, is facing a potential ban in the United States. The Supreme Court is preparing to uphold the removal of TikTok from Apple and Android app stores unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells its US operations by January 19. This drastic move has sparked debates about

January 16, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Travel

Immigration and Citizenship Service Collects 16.3 Billion Birr in Revenue Over Six Months

Addis Ababa, January 7, 2017 – The Immigration and Citizenship Service has announced that it collected 16.3 billion birr in revenue from various services over the past six months, surpassing its initial target of 10 billion birr. In an official statement, Director General Salamyat Dawit reported that more than 1.1 million passport booklets were imported

January 15, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Dashen Bank Unveils Ethiopia’s First Chat-Based Banking in New Super App

Addis Ababa (January 14, 2025) – Dashen Bank has announced the launch of its new Super App, spotlighting a first-of-its-kind “Chat Banking” feature in Ethiopia’s banking industry. The announcement was made at a formal event held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel, where bank executives and industry stakeholders gathered to discuss the app’s capabilities and the

January 15, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Wegagen Bank Officially Launches Wegagen e-Birr Mobile Wallet Service

Wegagen Bank has announced the launch of its mobile wallet service, Wegagen e-Birr, in collaboration with e-Birr Mobile Financial Services. This service enables customers to open wallet accounts, transfer funds, make payments, and manage their accounts without visiting a bank branch. The launch event took place in Shire town in the presence of numerous customers

January 14, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethiopia’s Parallel Forex Rate Surges to 150 ETB, Testing Government Reforms

Ethiopia’s forex parallel market continues to experience significant volatility, with the rate soaring to 150 ETB per USD, a sharp increase from the 130 ETB per USD recorded just two weeks ago. This fluctuation underscores the challenges of aligning the official and parallel exchange rates, despite ongoing efforts by the government and commercial banks to

January 14, 2025 • By Addis Insight

News

Ethiopia Approves Landmark Property Tax Law Amid Debate on Economic Impact

Addis Ababa, January 14, 2025 – The House of People’s Representatives has officially passed a new Property Tax Proclamation, introducing a landmark tax policy that imposes levies on urban land, buildings, and land improvements. The law is expected to bolster municipal revenue and finance infrastructure development, but it has also sparked heated debate regarding its

January 14, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Entertainment & Arts

Mahmoud Ahmed’s Grand Farewell: Celebrating 60 Years of Ethiopia’s Musical Legend

On January 11, 2025, Addis Ababa’s Millennium Hall witnessed a momentous event as Mahmoud Ahmed, Ethiopia’s legendary singer, bid farewell to the stage. The emotional night saw thousands of fans paying tribute to his six-decade-long career, alongside performances by Lij Michael, Gossaye Tesfaye, Tadelle Roba, and many more. Even President Sahle-Work Zewde attended, highlighting Mahmoud’s

January 13, 2025 • By Addis Insight