Business

Ethiopian Investment Holdings Reports 2.05 Trillion Birr Revenue in 2017, Eyes 2.75 Trillion in 2018

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the sovereign wealth manager overseeing Ethiopia’s state-owned enterprises, announced a record performance for the 2017 financial year, posting revenues of 2.05 trillion birr and 262.7 billion birr in pre-tax profit—an 88% year-on-year increase. Sectoral Highlights EIH’s diversified portfolio of strategic enterprises showed robust growth across industries: In terms of profitability, transport

September 3, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethiopia Expands VAT Rules: New Directive Targets Businesses and Professionals

Ethiopia Issues New VAT Directive, Expanding Registration Obligations for Businesses Addis Ababa, September 3, 2025 — Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance has issued a new directive requiring more businesses and professionals to register for Value Added Tax (VAT), a move officials say will strengthen fairness in the tax system and broaden the country’s revenue base. Directive

September 3, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Arkebe Oqubay Leads Marrakech Dialogue on Africa’s Green Industrialization

Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, British Academy Global Professor at SOAS University of London and one of Africa’s most influential voices on industrial policy, led a high-level dialogue on Manufacturing and Mobility: Scaling Up Sustainable Industrialisation in Africa during the Ibrahim Governance Weekend 2025. The session, organised by SOAS University of London’s Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD), drew

September 3, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethio Telecom Investors Finally Receive IPO Share Allotment Confirmations

By Addis Insight · Sep 2, 2025 After months of anticipation, Ethio Telecom has officially begun confirming share allotments for investors in its landmark initial public offering (IPO). On September 1, 2025, thousands of Ethiopians received long-awaited text messages verifying their ownership stakes in the state-owned telecom giant. A Historic Moment for Ethiopian Shareholders For

September 2, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Africa’s Biggest Dam (GERD) Set to Open for Tourists

ADDIS ABABA / GUBA, BENISHANGUL-GUMUZ — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will be opened for public visits “in the coming weeks,” signaling a new phase for Africa’s largest hydropower project: from nation-building icon to national attraction. The announcement comes as Ethiopia prepares formal inauguration events for September, after

September 1, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Purpose Black Loses: Homebuyers Win Refunds and Damages

ADDIS ABABA — In a decisive ruling that could reshape Ethiopia’s real estate landscape, the Yeldeta High Court has sided with homebuyers in their dispute against Purpose Black Trading S.C., ordering the termination of contracts and mandating full refunds with interest. The ruling also grants apartment buyers the right to pursue additional costs and damages.

September 1, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

CBE Launches ETB 50 Billion Loan Scheme for Diasporas

ADDIS ABABA / DUBAI – Sept. 1, 2025 – The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has rolled out a new ETB 50 billion loan package designed specifically for the Ethiopian diaspora, aiming to strengthen ties with citizens abroad while boosting investment flows into the country. The program, unveiled in Dubai during a gathering with community

September 1, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Why Ethiopia’s 1964 Four-Dam Plan Failed — and Led to GERD

From Cascade to Colossus: The Strategic Evolution of Hydropower on Ethiopia’s Blue Nile From Cascade to Colossus: The Strategic Evolution of Hydropower on Ethiopia’s Blue Nile A data-led explainer on how Ethiopia shifted from a four-dam cascade (1964 USBR) to one mega-dam (GERD)—and what that means for power, politics, and the next wave of projects.

August 31, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

The Enduring Legacy of 1.5 Billion Birr: Al-Amoudi and Ethiopia’s GERD Dream

ADDIS ABABA — The Abay River glitters in the fading light, its waters swelling against the immense wall of concrete that now defines it. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a project that began as a dream, now stands ready for its most important moment. On September 9, 2025, Ethiopia will officially inaugurate the largest

August 31, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

Can Addis Ababa’s Hotels Handle 25,000 Climate Conference Guests?

Addis Ababa Hotel Market Faces 25,000-Delegate Climate Conference Test Addis Ababa’s Hotel Crunch: Can the City Host 25,000 Climate Delegates? Market Analysis • Addis Insight A data-led assessment of hotel inventory, ADR pressure, and the playbook to make Climate Week work—complete with charts and tables. Addis Ababa has long punched above its weight in diplomacy.

August 30, 2025 • By Addis Insight