Business

UAE launches US$1 billion ‘AI for Development’ initiative to advance digital infrastructure across Africa

Addis Ababa, 18th December, 2025 (WAM) — The UAE has announced the launch of the ‘AI for Development’ initiative, worth US$1 billion, to support and finance artificial intelligence projects in African countries. The initiative aims to bolster economic and social development across the continent by developing digital infrastructure, enhancing government services and improving productivity. The

December 18, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

This Ethiopian EdTech Startup Went Offline-First—and Enrolled Half of the Country’s Freshman Students

When the team behind Zegju first launched their platform, it followed a common edtech pattern: a web-based learning service built around notes, exercises, and exam preparation. But student feedback quickly exposed a structural flaw. The platform worked only as long as students had reliable internet access—something far from guaranteed for much of Ethiopia’s student population.

December 18, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

National Bank of Ethiopia Announces Results of Latest Foreign Exchange Auction

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has officially announced the results of its latest foreign exchange auction, conducted today as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to manage foreign currency allocation and stabilize the domestic forex market. According to the central bank, a total of 13 commercial banks participated in the auction. The process resulted

December 16, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

The Great Escape: Why Black American Families Are Trading the “American Dream” for Ethiopia’s “Soft Life”

The narrative of the “American Dream” has traditionally been one of ascent: if you work hard enough, you will achieve prosperity, security, and happiness. But for a growing cohort of African Americans, that ascent feels more like a treadmill—a relentless cycle of high costs, systemic fatigue, and burnout. A quiet but determined migration, often termed

December 16, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

National Bank of Ethiopia to Hold 12th Foreign Exchange Auction, Offering $50 Million

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has announced that it will conduct the 12th round of its foreign exchange auction on Tuesday, December 7, 2018, in line with its biweekly auction schedule aimed at managing foreign currency liquidity and stabilizing the exchange rate. According to the central bank, the total amount to be offered in

December 15, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

NBE Launches Full Integration of National Digital ID With Banking System

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has officially launched the integration of the country’s new digital identity system, Fayda, with all financial institutions—marking a major milestone in Ethiopia’s push toward a fully digitized financial ecosystem. The initiative aligns with the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy, which positions the Faida Digital Identity as a foundational digital public

December 10, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethiopia Raises Fuel Prices: Benzene Climbs to 129.12 Birr per Liter

The Ministry of Trade and Regional Cooperation has announced a revision of retail fuel prices across the country, introducing a significant increase for key petroleum products. The new prices took effect on December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., following a scheduled monthly adjustment tied to fluctuations in international oil markets. According to the ministry, retail

December 10, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Conflict-Related Sexual and Reproductive Violence in Ethiopia: Cantering the Needs of Victims

By Felagot Taddese, Assistant Professor of OBGYN In recent years, internal conflicts across Ethiopia have shattered the lives of countless people and destroyed the significant progress the country had made on various fronts. As a woman and a gynecologist whose role is to look after the health of women, I have been most startled by

December 9, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Oromia Bank Posts 2.6 Billion Birr Pre-Tax Profit, Revenue and Deposits Surge Sharply

Oromia Bank has reported a strong financial performance for the 2017 fiscal year, achieving 2.6 billion birr in pre-tax profit—an impressive 155% jump compared to the previous year. The announcement was made during the bank’s 16th Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting, currently underway in Addis Ababa. Strong Growth in Deposits and Assets Dr. Assefa Sime, Chairperson

December 6, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

M-PESA Ethiopia Alleges Ethio Telecom Blocking Its New Lehulum Service on Mobile Data

Addis Ababa — December 5, 2025 M-PESA Ethiopia has accused Ethio Telecom of blocking mobile data access to its newly launched telecom-agnostic financial service, M-PESA ለሁሉም (Lehulum), a platform unveiled on December 1 with the promise of allowing any Ethiopian—regardless of telecom provider—to use M-PESA’s digital financial tools. In a public statement released today, the

December 5, 2025 • By Addis Insight