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Top Stories of the Week
Ethiopia Plans to Print Currency at Home
US Sides with Egypt over Nile Dam Dispute
In Ethiopia’s Homes, an Invisible Workforce Waits for the Law to Catch Up
Justice Ministry Freezes Accounts of Ten Payment Gateways
This Platform is Mapping Agricultural Exports from Local Farms to Global Buyers
Local Words for Digital Finance: What Do You Think?
Digital Financial Services (DFS) are rapidly expanding in Ethiopia, but language barriers and cultural nuance still limit understanding and adoption. Shega, as part of the AKOADA Project, has been working on the localization and translation of Digital Financial Services (DFS) terminology into Amharic and Afan Oromo.
This work is about turning complex finance and tech terms into clear, culturally relevant language that helps improve financial literacy and makes DFS more accessible for everyone.
We are sharing some of these translated Amharic terms to get your feedback. We would appreciate it if you could give them a review and tell us what works, what feels off, and what you would say instead.
Ethiopia Plans to Print Currency at Home
Ethiopian Investment Holdings plans to begin building domestic currency printing capacity as part of a move to reduce risks associated with producing banknotes abroad, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said on Thursday.
Speaking at the Finance Forward Ethiopia 2026 conference, Abiy said the state-owned asset manager would take on the role as part of a broader strategy to establish key national capabilities under public ownership. Read more.
Local Motorsport Future May Be on a Screen, Not a Street
Motorsport in Ethiopia dates back to the 1960s, was banned for 17 years, and was later revived by enthusiasts. With no permanent circuits and high costs keeping many young drivers out, simulators could be emerging as a low-risk entry point for talent development and skills training in the sport. Read more.
US Sides with Egypt over Nile Dam Dispute, Tells Ethiopia to ‘Give or Sell’ Electricity
In a January 16 letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was “ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of 'The Nile Water Sharing' once and for all.”
The letter comes after years of stalled African Union-led negotiations, amid continuing concerns over the dam’s reservoir filling and operation.
Trump highlighted the Nile’s strategic importance, noting that his team “understands the deep significance of the Nile River to Egypt and its people” and is committed to safeguarding water needs across Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Read more.
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IMF Approves $261 Million Disbursement to Ethiopia, Cites Stronger Macroeconomic Performance
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the immediate release of US$261 million to Ethiopia under its Extended Credit Facility (ECF), following the completion of the fourth review of the country’s reform program. Read more.
In Ethiopia’s Homes, an Invisible Workforce Waits for the Law to Catch Up
Domestic workers quietly sustain Ethiopia’s urban economy yet remain excluded from the country’s labor law.
Most work without contracts, minimum wage protections, or social security access, exposing them to abuse, wage withholding, and unsafe working conditions. A draft regulation promised by 2025 could have provided some remedies. It remains unratified. Read more.
Ethiopian SOEs Eyeing African Expansion as Local GDP Contribution Reaches 12%, EIH Chief Says
After years of financial strain and structural problems, Ethiopia’s state-owned enterprises are now preparing for regional expansion following four years of reforms consolidated under the sovereign wealth fund. Read more.
Justice Ministry Freezes Accounts of Ten Payment Gateways
The Ministry of Justice has ordered all commercial banks to freeze the accounts of ten payment gateway providers and submit full financial records. Signed by Tesfaye Daba Wakjira, State Minister for the Attorney General Division, the order covers ArifPay, AddisPay, FenanPay, LakiPay, StarPay, YagoutPay, SantimPay, Kacha, Chapa, and Sinan Pay.
Banks are required to report all domestic and foreign currency balances, share capital, and transaction histories from account opening to date, along with Excel-formatted statements, KYC records, and proxy details certified by official bank seals. Read more.
Dachi Launches First Locally Canned Fava, Kidney Beans
An eight-year-old food producer established by Ethiopian and Indian shareholders, Dachi Manufacturing PLC, has launched the country’s first domestic production of canned fava beans and kidney beans. Read more.
This Platform is Mapping Agricultural Exports from Local Farms to Global Buyers
Ethiopian Export Market (EEM), a platform developed by a team of mostly HiLCoe alumni, is connecting farmers, suppliers, and exporters directly with global markets, starting with coffee. It combines real-time analytics, IoT-integrated inventory and contract management, and QR-code–based traceability to give stakeholders full visibility across the supply chain.
EEM also provides farm health insights, market intelligence, and a buyer–seller marketplace under development, enabling smallholders to engage more transparently with buyers and capture fair value. Read more.
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