Issue 168: EV Charging Stations & Jetours

Hello

Over the past week, Ethiopia has experienced ongoing earthquakes and signs of volcanic activity, with intensifying tremors in Awash Fentale causing the collapse of over 30 homes in the Afar region, displacing thousands, and disrupting businesses.

Our weekly roundup also covers the National Bank of Ethiopia’s decision to pause licensing for independent forex bureaus, a 102% surge in Ethiopia’s export revenues to $2.63 billion in the first five months, Ethiopia’s plan to install 2,100 electric vehicle chargers nationwide at gas stations, the country reaching 9.7 trillion birr in digital transactions, and more.

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Saharela Abdullahi, the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Authority announced that an understanding has been reached with gas stations to install two electric vehicle chargers at every gas station across the country, aiming for a total of 2,100 charging stations nationwide. Read more 

Regulators at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) are no longer processing license requests for new applicants seeking to get involved in the forex trading business. Read more.  

Digital transactions in Ethiopia reached 9.7 trillion birr in the past fiscal year, marking a 129% increase, according to Central Bank Governor Mamo Mihertu. Read more.

Allegations of rural inaccessibility, extra-judicial internet shutdowns, hefty tariffs, and service unreliability were forwarded against Ethiopia’s state-owned telecom operator at Parliament. Read more.

Ethiopia's export trade generated 2.6 billion dollars in revenue during the first five months of the 2024/25 fiscal year, surpassing targets and reflecting robust performance across key sectors just five months after the country floated its currency. Read more. 

The Ministry of Planning & Development launched an integrated system for measuring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions, as well as monitoring and evaluating climate change implementation. Read more.  

Ahadu Solar Ice Maker, a year old Agri-Tech startup has debuted solar-powered cooling solutions looking to tackle post-harvest loss in Ethiopia's agriculture. Read more.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has reviewed activities in a local car assembly company in Jigjiga City that is assembling Jetour Vehicles for the local market. The plant, constructed at a cost of 250 million birr, is the first of its kind in the Somali region and has the capacity to assemble 10 cars per day. Read more.

UNICEF warns of a severe funding crisis in Ethiopia, with over 9 million children currently out of school due to conflict and displacement. Read more.