The Reporter

08/12/2023

The Reporter:

The diaspora's paradox

Being a diaspora is respected in this country. A person living abroad, especially in Western civilized countries, is highly respected. I’m not sure if it’s because we perceive those people to be wealthy or because we consider them to be civilized, but for some reason, people in this country have a positive attitude towards the diaspora. I remember as a child when my aunts visited from Europe, how we used to be in awe of their material possessions and their foreign accents. I admired every little possession they had, from their shoes, clothes, toothpaste, lotions, to the napkins they kept […]

Being a diaspora is respected in this country. A person living abroad, especially in Western civilized countries, is highly respected. I'm not sure if it's

08/12/2023

The Reporter:

The Horn of Africa: The business of money, politics and power

Money is generally defined as anything that is accepted by people as a means of payment for obligations or receive for services and/or goods sold. They say that in Romania, in the 1980s, people used Kent ci******es as a means of payment for goods and services and so, therefore, money is just what people accept as a means of payment. It could be rocks and just simply tissue paper. We should perhaps start the business of money as to what money does or is used for. For one it is a unit of account and for second it is a […]

Money is generally defined as anything that is accepted by people as a means of payment for obligations or receive for services and/or goods sold. They say

08/12/2023

08/12/2023

The Reporter:

On the frontlines

MSF fights to stem emergencies across a nation in need In the remote village of Bachuma, nestled 600 kilometers away from the bustling capital, Workagegnehu Yilma, the dedicated Deputy Coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or commonly known as Doctors Without Borders, Ethiopia, finds himself immersed in the heart of the action. Alongside the tireless MSF teams, he leads emergency responses to combat the menacing surge of malaria, measles, and Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) outbreaks sprawling across multiple zones in the southern reaches of the country. In an interview with The Reporter’s Ashenafi Endale, Workagegnehu shed light on the challenges MSF […]

MSF fights to stem emergencies across a nation in need

07/12/2023

The Reporter:

THE ATRICALTRAIL BLAZERS OFFER RAY OF HOPE

An entertainment industry beleaguered by the aftereffects of a pandemic, political instability, and trademarking issues sees a ray of light as the creative minds behind some of the most striking theater productions in recent years prepare to take their most recent hit abroad following acclaim from local audiences. Bereket Belayneh and Girum Zenebe are the men behind popular productions such as Festale and Agendaye that have received wide acclaim for their poignant political commentary. The duo’s latest offering –Boletika– is another success. The production offers a refreshing approach in the form of stand-up comedy. Unlike the pair’s previous works, Boletica […]

An entertainment industry beleaguered by the aftereffects of a pandemic, political instability, and trademarking issues sees a ray of light as the creative

07/12/2023

The Reporter:

Desperation in West Omo

A community besieged as diseases ravage remote Ethiopia A heart-wrenching scene unfolds in Chat kebele, Bachuma woreda, and the western Omo zone, as nearly a hundred individuals, predominantly mothers with their precious babies, stand in line on a field. These delicate infants, frail and with traces of scabies on their faces, let out piercing cries. The mothers, their breath shallow and their strength dwindling, fix their gaze on an empty void before them. These resilient women endured a grueling five-hour trek from the remote corners of their rural communities to reach this makeshift refuge. Tragically, Bachuma represents just a fraction […]

A community besieged as diseases ravage remote Ethiopia

06/12/2023

Boeing to open Addis Ababa office in 2024

- Henok Teferra appointed Africa managing director

American manufacturing giant Boeing has announced plans to open an office in Addis Ababa early next year. Former Ethiopian Airlines exec Henok Teferra Shawl will lead the office as the new managing director for Boeing’s African wing.

The announcements come a few weeks after the Ethiopian Airlines Group placed an order for more than 65 aircraft with Boeing – the largest-ever from an African carrier.

Henok joins the US manufacturer from Safaricom Telecommunication Ethiopia, where he served as chief external affairs officer for six months.

Henok held senior posts at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for several years in the 2000s before he was appointed to head communications and international affairs for Ethiopian Airlines in 2010.

Five years later, he was promoted to a vice presidency position at Ethiopian, and held a seat on the Star Alliance management board, as well as the board of directors of ASKY Airlines (where Ethiopian holds a 40 percent stake).

Henok served as the Ethiopian Ambassador to various European states (including France and the Vatican) over a four-year period before joining Safaricom Ethiopia earlier this year.

His latest post as a managing director for Boeing will see him report to Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia.

“We are delighted to have Henok Teferra Shawl join our team. With his exceptional background in aviation and government relations, we are confident in his ability to champion our mission in the African market,” said Kuljit Ghata-Aura.

Henok is not the first former Ethiopian Airlines exec to be appointed to a senior position at Washington State-based Boeing. Former Ethiopian Airlines operations and technical executive Anbessie Yitbarek currently serves as vice president for Boeing’s commercial airplanes sales and marketing in Africa.

Boeing reported close to USD 70 billion in revenues in 2022. The company’s defense and weapons manufacturing wing has overtaken its commercial jet business as the primary source of revenue in recent years.

06/12/2023

The Reporter:

Central bank reform must ensure its independence

The Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) painted the usual rosy picture about the downward trajectory of inflation in Ethiopia while presenting the central bank’s quarterly performance report to Parliamentarians this week. Governor Mamo E. Mihretu told legislators that thanks to raft of monetary policy measures it instituted beginning August inflation has declined from 29.3 percent by the end of last June to 27.7 percent in September, noting the rate was 35 percent in March 2023. One such measure he made mention of was limiting domestic credit growth to 14 percent for the current Ethiopian fiscal year ending […]

The Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) painted the usual rosy picture about the downward trajectory of inflation in Ethiopia while presenting the

05/12/2023

The Reporter:

Gloves out: Addis’ boxing revival

Addis Ababa’s Skylight Hotel was the setting for a boxing exhibition that organizers and fans hope marks a return of boxing as a popular sport in Ethiopia. The Addis Ababa Boxing Federation, in collaboration with Zola Wisdom Event, hosted the event on November 30, 2023, showcasing several boxing matches in various weight categories for both men and women, ranging from 54 to 81 kilograms. Various national team contenders participated in the competition, and one noteworthy match occurred between Hagere Amanu, representing the Dire Dawa City boxing team, and Roman Asefa from Addis Ababa. Hagere displayed exceptional skills and emerged victorious […]

Addis Ababa’s Skylight Hotel was the setting for a boxing exhibition that organizers and fans hope marks a return of boxing as a popular sport in Ethiopia.

05/12/2023

The Reporter:

Debt suspension heralds IMF program, “wider” debt treatment

The federal government sighs relief as external creditors approve a proposal for a two-year pause in foreign debt payments, allowing what the Paris Club says is “time-limited liquidity relief ahead of discussions on a wider debt treatment.” The official creditor committee (OCC) under the Paris Club has agreed to suspend the service of Ethiopian government-guaranteed debt between January 2024 and December 2025, while China (who co-chairs the Club with France) has reached a separate debt suspension agreement with Ethiopian officials. It is welcome news for an economy smothered by a chronic shortage of foreign currency, but a closer look at […]

The federal government sighs relief as external creditors approve a proposal for a two-year pause in foreign debt payments, allowing what the Paris Club says

04/12/2023

The Reporter:

Dysfunctional light rail clogs commutes in capital

Things go from bad to worse for the capital’s ailing light rail system as it comes to light that more than half of the train cars under the Addis Ababa Light Rail and Railway Corporation are in-operational. No less than 23 of the Corporation’s 41 train cars have been rendered immobile by wear and tear, according to Aklilu Hibso, operations director at the Corporation. The City Administration, which oversees the Corporation, says it will be providing capital for the import of necessary spare parts, establishing a committee to deal with the issues. The committee is tasked with securing the budget […]

Things go from bad to worse for the capital’s ailing light rail system as it comes to light that more than half of the train cars under the Addis Ababa Light

04/12/2023

Stay connected and informed with The Reporter Magazine December issue, delving into the latest political, economic, social, and cultural trends.

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04/12/2023

The Reporter:

Berhan management apologizes for record-low dividends

Berhan International Bank’s earnings per share for the fiscal year ended July 2023 has dropped to an all time low at a little over six percent for each share valued at 1,000 birr. Shareholders learned of the drop during the bank’s annual report presentation on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Although Berhan’s executives had reported a 15.6 percent EPS (156.2 birr per share), regulators at the central bank have downgraded it to 6.03 percent owing to NPLs and other deductions. Berhan’s profit after tax stood at 505.6 million birr, exhibiting a slight 3.7 percent jump from the previous year’s performance. Gumachew […]

Berhan International Bank’s earnings per share for the fiscal year ended July 2023 has dropped to an all time low at a little over six percent for each share

04/12/2023

The Reporter:

Bill looks to grant Comms Authority control over data privacy

A bill that would give the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) sweeping control over data privacy is making its way through Parliament. The latest draft is a rework of data privacy laws that surfaced in 2020 but with some significant changes. Officials at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology have abandoned plans to establish a data protection commission, instead opting to divide up the responsibilities between their offices and the Authority. The proposal would see the Ministry take on policy and strategy issues, while the Authority would receive a wide range of powers that extend to the formulation of new regulations […]

A bill that would give the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) sweeping control over data privacy is making its way through Parliament.

03/12/2023

The Reporter:

Enterprise seeks Parliament’s assistance to resolve Turkish textile plants’ tax issue

Public Enterprises Holdings and Administration (PEHA) is seeking assistance from Parliament to resolve a concerning issue involving two Turkish textile plants that owe over two billion birr in unpaid accumulated taxes. The massive textile enterprises, Else Addis Industrial PLC and Ayka Addis, commenced operations in 2010 and 2011. However, they have failed to repay millions of dollars in loans to the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE). Consequently, the bank eventually sold the collateral factories to another investor after numerous unsuccessful attempts. During a report hearing session on November 29, 2023, Sewagegne Chane, the head of Finance Enterprises at PEHAA, informed […]

Public Enterprises Holdings and Administration (PEHA) is seeking assistance from Parliament to resolve a concerning issue involving two Turkish textile plants

03/12/2023

The Reporter:

Opaque e-bike regulations discourage investors, magnify transport hurdles

A ban on electric motorbikes in Addis Ababa is crippling assembly plants and investors, and exposing inconsistencies in government policy. “To give you my honest opinion, we were very discouraged by the ban.” asuhirohiro Yoshizawa, investor

A ban on electric motorbikes in Addis Ababa is crippling assembly plants and investors, and exposing inconsistencies in government policy. “To give you my honest opinion, we were very discouraged by the ban.” asuhirohiro Yoshizawa, investor

03/12/2023

The Reporter:

Unresponsive cash registers worry revenues officials

The Ministry of Revenues raises the alarm that less than 15 percent of cash registers in the country are transmitting daily data to its offices. During a quarterly performance report presented to Parliament’s standing committee on Public Expenditure Administration and Control Affairs, the Ministry shed light on the urgent need for a new directive as the number of cash registers transmitting daily data has plummeted to less than 15 percent. Less than 37,000 of the 285,000 cash registers assigned to business provide the Ministry with daily data summaries. Nearly 5,000 machines are classified as non-transmitting, while approximately 12,000 machines have […]

The Ministry of Revenues raises the alarm that less than 15 percent of cash registers in the country are transmitting daily data to its offices.

02/12/2023

The Reporter:

Washington speaks on OLA negotiations, port access

US Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, says it is difficult to pin down a timeline for an agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-Shane). The Ambassador, who was an observer during the peace talks between the two parties in Dar es Salaam a few weeks ago, told the US Foreign Affairs Committee that the “talks were difficult.” Responding to inquiries as to why the second attempt at negotiations between OLF-Shane and the federal government failed, Hammer urged both sides to “compromise and enter political dialogue.” “Both the government of Ethiopia and OLA […]

US Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, says it is difficult to pin down a timeline for an agreement between the Ethiopian government and the

02/12/2023

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02/12/2023

The Reporter:

MPs squeeze regulators over parallel market, bank policies

Central bank regulators faced harsh criticism from parliamentarians this week over their failure to bridge the yawning gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates. MPs grilled regulators including Governor Mamo Mihretu about a range of issues including devaluation, forex management, and concerns over local banks’ competitiveness in light of the banking industry’s pending liberalization. Mamo and his team from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) were present before the standing parliamentary committee for Planning, Budget and Finance Affairs on November 30, 2023, to elaborate on the central bank’s first quarter performance. During the nearly four hours of back […]

Central bank regulators faced harsh criticism from parliamentarians this week over their failure to bridge the yawning gap between the official and parallel

02/12/2023

The Reporter:

No peace with Peace Ministry: Parliament

Parliamentarians have raised serious concerns about the very purpose of the Ministry of Peace, blasting its officials for the proliferation of violent conflict in the country since the Ministry was established in late 2018. MPs have also questioned whether the federal expenditures on the Ministry’s budget are worthwhile. The criticisms came during the Ministry’s presentation of its first quarter performance before Parliament on Friday, December 1, 2023. Although parliamentary performance reports are customarily open to the public, members of the media were expelled from the House of People’s Representatives before the Ministry of Peace (MoP) officials conducted their hearing behind […]

Parliamentarians have raised serious concerns about the very purpose of the Ministry of Peace, blasting its officials for the proliferation of violent

01/12/2023

The Reporter:

Why aren’t sanctions preventing coups in Africa?

In Response to the resurgence of coups since 2019, the African Union (AU) and regional economic blocs have issued sanctions against errant states, predominantly by suspending their membership. But despite an impressive record of taking action, the persistence of coups and other unconstitutional changes of government raises doubts about their effectiveness. Between June 2019 and August 2023, the AU suspended the memberships of Sudan, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger and most recently Gabon. The regional blocs for West and Central Africa took similar steps against Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Gabon. In 67 percent of recent coups, the Economic Community […]

In Response to the resurgence of coups since 2019, the African Union (AU) and regional economic blocs have issued sanctions against errant states,

01/12/2023

Stay informed and engaged with the December Edition of The Reporter Magazine. The stories you'll read in the upcoming issue include: an exclusive interview with Eyob Tekalign(PhD)- State Minister of Finance and member of the Macroeconomic Committee, an in-depth analysis of the paradox of the government’s recovery and reconstruction project worth USD 20 billion while the nation is engulfed in an ongoing armed conflict and other multifaceted crises, the tale of a "Teachers' Bank", international model Fetiyah Mohammed's endeavors to resurrect the essence of the "city of love and coexistence", a trip to Finland to discover the Nordic bliss, and more.

Stay tuned!

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01/12/2023

The Reporter:

The differentiated leader

I recently took a training on team management and leadership, where I came across the term ‘differentiated’ leader which caught my interest. A differentiated leader is a leader who is not too involved emotionally with the team that he or she manages but is at the same time not shut off emotionally, and has therefore some emotional connections with his or her team. Maintaining the balance is always the challenge. Some people may involve too much in the emotions and lives of their teams, crossing the boundaries of the leader-team relationship. Others, on the other extreme, are completely shut off […]

I recently took a training on team management and leadership, where I came across the term ‘differentiated’ leader which caught my interest. A differentiated

01/12/2023

The Reporter:

Real estate nightmare

Unethical practices and lack of regulations plague Ethiopia’s real estate industry Just two weeks ago, I received a call from a close friend of mine who was in a state of alarm. He informed me that he had been contacted by a real estate company in Addis Ababa, urging him to immediately purchase a house due to an imminent devaluation of the local currency by the government. This news, which later turned out to be false, left me both astonished and bewildered. Concerned about the authenticity of this information, I took it upon myself to verify its accuracy. I reached […]

Unethical practices and lack of regulations plague Ethiopia's real estate industry

30/11/2023

The Reporter:

Odyssey complete, legacy fulfilled

Ugandans’ century-long journey home to Ethiopia Tensions were high in Ethiopia as the New Year began, with the country emerging from civil war and ethnic divisions running deep. But in January, surprising news brought hope: over a hundred Ugandans arrived, returning to their ancestral homeland after a century away. Their journey began with a drought a hundred years prior, which forced their forefathers to flee – but now a vision called them home. A century ago, the small Nyangatom village in southern Ethiopia’s Omo River valley faced devastation as the longest drought crippled their pastoralist community. Facing starvation and death, […]

Ugandans' century-long journey home to Ethiopia

29/11/2023

The Reporter:

Integrating COVID-19 vaccination to safeguard lives, livelihood

The overarching issue of global health integration and safeguarding both lives and livelihoods resonates more in many countries during these transformative times. As the world grapples with multifaceted health challenges, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) and the Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, set a stellar example of how to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mastercard Foundation has been at the forefront of ensuring that communities not only survive these turbulent times but also thrive, pivoting their approach to address the immediate needs of the pandemic. Embodying this ethos, the ERCS orchestrated […]

The overarching issue of global health integration and safeguarding both lives and livelihoods resonates more in many countries during these transformative

29/11/2023

The Reporter:

Tigray set to host Athletics Federation's general assembly, marathon relay race

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) has announced its plans to hold its general assembly in Mekelle City, Tigray Regional State, on November 25, 2023. This development comes as exciting news for the region, as the 19th Ethiopian marathon relay race is scheduled to take place the following day, on November 26, 2023. The decision to host the assembly in Tigray was made in conjunction with the marathon race, with participations from various regions, city administrations, clubs, institutions, and private organizations expected in the competition. With over 14 confirmed clubs, including local clubs from Tigray, set to participate, the event promises […]

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) has announced its plans to hold its general assembly in Mekelle City, Tigray Regional State, on November 25, 2023.

29/11/2023

The Reporter:

Justice grows dearer as fed courts ready to hike fees

Federal courts are finalizing preparations for the introduction of a regulation that would levy significantly higher verdict fees on petitioners seeking justice for civil cases. The move is part of a series of judicial reforms introduced by the Federal Supreme Court following the ratification of the Federal Courts Proclamation three years ago. If approved, it would see the first change in court verdict fees since they were first set during the reign of Emperor Haile Silassie I seven decades ago. The draft regulation proposes to impose fees of between one and 10 percent, depending on the size of the legal […]

Federal courts are finalizing preparations for the introduction of a regulation that would levy significantly higher verdict fees on petitioners seeking

29/11/2023

The Reporter:

What is on the table in Tanzania?

Among the bold measures taken by the incumbent during its tumultuous early days were a series of negotiations with armed opposition groups living in exile. In August 2018, leaders of what would later become the Prosperity Party held peace talks with Ginbot 7 and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in Asmara, Eritrea. Following the negotiations, these groups returned in flesh to the Ethiopian political scene. The success of the talks, along with the normalization of relations with Eritrea, won Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a Nobel Peace Prize the following year and bolstered a sense of hope then brewing in the […]

Among the bold measures taken by the incumbent during its tumultuous early days were a series of negotiations with armed opposition groups living in exile. In

28/11/2023

The Reporter:

Activists urgegov’t to accentuate climate crisis at COP28

Climate activists and experts are calling on Ethiopia to deliver a powerful message at COP28, shedding light on the devastating toll climate change has taken on its livestock sector, resulting in the loss of millions of cattle. Scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30 to December 12, 2023, the UN Climate Change Conference presents an opportunity for global leaders to address the urgent need for collective action on climate change and its far-reaching implications. In the lead-up to the summit, the British Embassy in Addis Ababa organized a climate reception event titled “Climate Reception […]

Climate activists and experts are calling on Ethiopia to deliver a powerful message at COP28, shedding light on the devastating toll climate change has taken

28/11/2023

The Reporter:

New pre-school education model draws fierce criticism

Seble Kebede takes the education of her young daughter, Amron, very seriously. Six-year-old Amron is a pupil enrolled in the kindergarten division of Emamuz Catholic School. Up until recently, Amron’s kindergarten curriculum included six subjects – Math (with instruction in both Amharic and English), English, Environmental Science, and Physical Education. Parents like Seble appreciated the wide range of subjects, hoping the lessons would help shape a solid foundation for their children’s future academic careers. However, the system has undergone a drastic change beginning this school year as the Ministry of Education implements a new KG curriculum. Under the new approach, […]

Seble Kebede takes the education of her young daughter, Amron, very seriously. Six-year-old Amron is a pupil enrolled in the kindergarten division of Emamuz

28/11/2023

The Reporter:

Navigating Ethiopia's sea access saga

Addis Ababa University was the setting for a conference panel earlier this month, as experts gathered there under the theme “Equitable Port Use for Sustainable Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa.” The discussions featured renowned academicians such as Belete Belatchew (PhD), political scientist, Matiwos Ensermu (PhD), a logistics expert and professors of supply chain management at Addis Ababa University, and Ibrahim Idris (Ambassador). The conference revolved around Ethiopia’s (lack of) access to the sea – a subject that has seen much discussion and debate among the general public over the past couple of months. It is a topic […]

Addis Ababa University was the setting for a conference panel earlier this month, as experts gathered there under the theme “Equitable Port Use for