Issue 121: Crypto on Hold & Fresh blood

Hello,

Welcome to another edition of Shega Weekly. This week, we bring you stories ranging from Ethiopia's emerging crypto-mining scene to exciting product launches.

The past week, we also broke the news of our collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to bolster the accessibility of information on digital financial services (DFS) in Ethiopia.

The project, which is aligned with the shared goals of both entities, aims to increase financial inclusion through data-driven product development and decision-making in Ethiopia’s digital financial sector.

Dubbed AKOFADA, the project has a life span of three years and will leverage Shega’s data and intelligence platform, Shega Insights, as well as various media channels and marketing strategies. Read about AKOFADA.

Officials Hit Pause on Cryptocurrency Mining Permits as Entrants Ready To Start Operations

According to The Reporter, Ethiopian authorities have temporarily suspended the issuance of new operation permits for cryptocurrency mining ventures after awarding permits to no less than 21 firms.Officials say the suspension will remain in place until there are clear indications that the firms already awarded permits have made good progress in implementation. They also rebuff the claims made by a recent article from Bloomberg that alleges the data miners are setting up their farms in the vicinity of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Read More.

Bidding Wars Go Virtual as New Ethiopian Startup Targets AuctionsAuction Ethiopia has officially launched its online auction platform, facilitating the buying and selling of various items through virtual auctions. Read More.

Ethiopian E-Health Startup Medstore Launches Paid Services on Its Medical MarketplaceEthiopian startup Medstore, a digital marketplace to allow users to sell and buy medical equipment online, and publish and subscribe to medical equipment tenders, has announced the introduction of paid services. Read More.

Zmall Delivery Appoints New CEOEthiopian food delivery and e-commerce platform Zmall has appointed Gaspard De Gruben, a Belgian business developer, as its new CEO. Read More.

🚀 Expand your reach with Shega! Advertise across our newsletter, website, and Telegram channel and connect directly to Ethiopia’s startup ecosystem like never before.

Founders of Yes Job Marketplace Unveil New AI-Backed Job PortalThe founders of YES, a prominent job marketplace in Ethiopia have launched Palm Jobs, a job board that leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the job search and recruitment process. Read More.

Controversial Purpose Black Marks Entry into Ethiopia’s Digital EconomyPurpose Black Ethiopia, which recently faced public scrutiny regarding its fundraising practices, has unveiled multiple digital platforms aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s agricultural sector and enhancing consumer experience. Read More.

Project Leader of Ethiopia’s Digital Addressing System Named Among 50 Rising Stars to Look Out for in the Geospatial IndustryAgamasie Gebeyehu, Project Manager of the Digital Addressing System (DAS) and Senior Geospatial Researcher at the Space Science & Geospatial Institute has been recognized as one of the 50 brightest talents under 40 in the geospatial industry by Geospatial World Rising Stars 2024. Read More.

Here is what we've been reading:

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