Culture

The Winners and Losers of Content Diplomacy: Inside IShowSpeed’s Africa Tour

The Digital Frontier of Content Diplomacy: A Comprehensive Analysis of the IShowSpeed Africa Tour (2025–2026) The “Speed Does Africa” tour, conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, represents a transformative moment in the evolution of digital media, real-life (IRL) streaming, and the global perception of the African continent. Led by Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known

January 28, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Business

MIDROC Investment Group Acquires Historic Wabi Shebele Hotel, Plans Marriott Autograph Collection Renovation

Addis Ababa — MIDROC Investment Group has acquired the historic Wabi Shebele Hotel, marking a major investment in Ethiopia’s hospitality sector ahead of the country’s selection to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32). Under the agreement, the hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation and be repositioned as a Marriott Autograph Collection property,

January 21, 2026 • By Addis Insight

Culture

Bee’s Kitchen: A Thoughtfully Curated Newcomer Redefining Comfort Dining in Bole Medhanialem

Just two months after opening its doors, Bee’s Kitchen is already signaling that it is more than just another new restaurant in Addis Ababa. Located in Bole Medhanialem, along the road toward Moenco and Hayat Hospital, the restaurant sits in a lively corridor of the city—yet once inside, it offers a calm, welcoming pause from

December 23, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Culture

Arabica Coffee Hits Record High, Signaling Global Market Shifts

Arabica coffee prices have soared to unprecedented levels, marking a historic milestone in the global coffee market. According to data from ICE Futures, the December Arabica futures contract climbed 1.29% to USD 4.263 per pound, equivalent to approximately USD 9,398 per tonne. During the same trading session, the contract peaked at USD 4.349 per pound,

October 25, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Culture

Who Told America That Ethiopia’s Sambusa Is an Appetizer?

The Question on the Menu At nearly every Ethiopian restaurant in the United States, the sambusa appears under “Appetizers.” This triangular pastry, filled with spiced lentils or minced meat, has become the near-universal first impression of Ethiopian cuisine in America. But why would a food often eaten casually with tea in Ethiopia take on such

September 1, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Culture

Gordon Ramsay Saves a Beloved Eritrean Spot in Philly

Gordon Ramsay Undertakes a Daring Rescue of a Beloved Eritrean Restaurant in PhiladelphiaIn a dramatic turn of events, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay swooped into West Philadelphia to save Dahlak, a 40-year-old Eritrean restaurant that was once a pillar of the community but had fallen into a state of disrepair. The restaurant, run by 66-year-old Eritrean

August 23, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

From $500 to Nine Restaurants: Ethiopian-Born Sara Aradi’s Rise in Dubai’s Culinary World

Sara Aradi: The Architect of a Culinary Dynasty As of August 2025, more than three decades have passed since a young Sara Aradi took a leap of faith that would redefine her destiny. Now 53, she stands as one of the UAE’s most influential culinary entrepreneurs—a titan whose story resonates from her native Ethiopia to

August 13, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Food & Drink

Ethiopia Sets Historic Record, Earning Over $2.6 Billion from Coffee Exports

Ethiopia has achieved an unprecedented milestone in its coffee sector, earning more than $2.6 billion in export revenue—the highest in the nation’s history. According to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, during the recently concluded fiscal year, Ethiopia exported 468,967 metric tons of coffee to the international market. This export volume surpassed the government’s target

July 9, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Culture

Savor: A Decade of Culinary Excellence, Resilience, and Innovation in Addis Ababa

From a Childhood Memory to a Culinary Institution Savor, one of Addis Ababa’s most respected restaurants, is more than just a place to eat—it is a story of resilience, nostalgia, and unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. Co-Founded a decade ago by Misgana Kebede and Bilen Aynu, who also serves as the General Manager, Savor

March 3, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Business

There Are 616 Ethiopian Restaurants in the U.S : A State-by-State Breakdown

Ethiopian cuisine has firmly established its presence in the United States over the past few decades. Known for its flavorful wot (stews) served atop injera – a tangy, spongy flatbread made from the grain teff that doubles as both plate and utensil 0 – Ethiopian dining offers a unique communal experience. Diners traditionally share a

February 26, 2025 • By Addis Insight