Business

17 New Levies: Ethiopia Broadens Disaster Fund Financing Across Banks, Telecoms, and Transport

Ethiopia has enacted a sweeping framework to finance its Disaster Risk Response Fund, drawing contributions from banks, insurers, telecom operators, transport services, fuel suppliers, and government budgets, according to Federal Negarit Gazette No. 2 published on November 11, 2025. The regulation establishes mandatory contribution rates across 17 revenue streams, signaling a shift toward a more

January 21, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines Announce Order for Nine 787 Dreamliners

Addis Ababa, Jan. 20, 2026 — Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines have announced a firm order for nine 787 Dreamliner aircraft, reinforcing the carrier’s long-haul expansion strategy as global travel demand continues to rise. The new order centers on the 787-9 variant, which Ethiopian Airlines will deploy to grow its international network that currently spans 145

January 20, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Rolls Out CBE Connect App to Streamline Cross-Border Transfers

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has launched a new digital wallet application, CBE Connect, as the lender moves to simplify formal remittance flows into the country and expand its suite of app-based financial services. The app, developed in partnership with StarPay Financial Solutions—a sister company of Eagle Lion Systems—is designed to allow users to send money

January 20, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethiopia Freezes 10 Payment Gateways in Fintech Crackdown

Disclaimer: The Telebirr logo was used in a previous version of this article. We have since replaced it, as its use created confusion. We apologize to anyone who may have been misled by the inclusion of the logo. Ethiopia’s push to rein in its fast-expanding digital finance ecosystem took a decisive turn late last year,

January 20, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

IMF Clears $261 Million Disbursement for Ethiopia as Reforms Deliver Stronger Growth

Addis Ababa / Washington, DC — January 16, 2026 The has approved the fourth review of Ethiopia’s program under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), unlocking an immediate disbursement of about $261 million to support the country’s balance-of-payments and fiscal needs. The latest approval brings total IMF disbursements to Ethiopia to roughly $2.18 billion, under a

January 17, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Launches StarPay, Advancing the Country’s Digital Banking Push

The (CBE) has officially launched , a new digital payment and banking application designed to elevate Ethiopia’s digital financial ecosystem and expand access to fast, convenient, and modern banking services. The announcement was made during an official launch event, with remarks delivered by , Vice President of Corporate Service Excellence at CBE. Speaking at the

January 17, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Why a US visa ban on 26 African nations will backfire

AS DONALD TRUMP prepares for his first full week back in the Oval Office, his administration has delivered a blunt message to the developing world: you are no longer invited.On January 14th the State Department announced it would pause the issuance of new immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries. The rationale—that these newcomers might

January 15, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Ethiopia Ends Administered Interest Rates in Landmark Financial Reform

Ethiopia’s central bank has scrapped all controls on commercial lending and deposit rates, in a sweeping deregulation move expected to reshape liquidity, credit pricing and competition across the country’s banking sector. Under Directive No. NBE/INT/13/2026, issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia and effective January 9, 2025, banks will now be allowed to freely set

January 9, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

Hybe America Appoints Ethiopia Habtemariam as President of Music

Hybe America has appointed Ethiopia Habtemariam as its new president of music, effective immediately. The longtime executive and former Motown Records chief will work between Los Angeles and Atlanta. In her new role, Habtemariam will guide Hybe America’s music strategy, leading A&R and artist development across the company’s group of labels. She will also focus

January 9, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

IMF Africa Director Abebe Aemro Selassie to Retire in May

The International Monetary Fund has announced that Abebe Aemro Selassie, the Ethiopian economist who has led its African Department for nearly a decade, will retire on May 1, 2026. The statement was issued Tuesday by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Abebe has directed the Fund’s work with forty-five countries across sub-Saharan Africa since 2016—an era

January 8, 2026 • By Addis Insight