Issue 42: Renewable Technology Firm Invest 2.4 Billion birr

Hello, One of Ethiopia’s latest firms in the emerging electric car market has disclosed that it has invested 2.4 billion birr in its operations so far. The federal government is adamant about taxing ecommerce transactions via a new law. Welcome to this week’s edition of Shega Weekly. Here are the major stories from Ethiopia’s innovative ecosystem. If you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.

Renewable Technology Firm Invest 2.4 Billion birr

Origins Business has reported that Green Technologies Ethiopia, a private company working in the electric car space as well as other renewable energy alternatives, has so far invested 2.4 billion birr in its operation.

"Not less than 1,000 electric vehicles assembled in China are in the entry process to Ethiopia. [Another] 500 electric vehicles are in Djibouti port and [are] expected to arrive soon", the online media quoted Fitsum Deriessa, General Manager of Green Technologies Ethiopia. 

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Fed Set to Tax Growing Ecommerce SpaceAddis Fortune has reported that legal experts from federal agencies are drafting a law to tax transactions made on ecommerce platforms.With gaps in the existing tax regimes, ecommerce companies operate in a mostly tax and duty-free environment. The latest move comes as the state aims to broaden its tax base as revenues have shrunk.While electronic transactions have been given legal recognition for two years now, Ethiopia’s law governing VAT does not recognize transactions made through digital platforms. Read More.

Ethio Telecom Ventures into Digital LotteryEthio Telecom and the National Lottery Administration have come together to launch a digital lottery product dubbed Admas.Subscribers will be able to buy the digital lottery, via telebirr or by sending an SMS to 605. Upon purchase, subscribers receive their lottery ticket number and the drawing date via SMS.Ethio Telecom's foray into digital lottery comes just months after the Ethiopian Ministry of Women & Social Affairs stated that it is working to ban betting in the country because it believes it corrupts the youth.

Meet GoodayOn: The Startup Digitizing Ethiopia’s Informal Labor Market.GoodayOn is a technology company providing a gig connection platform. Goodayon connects service providers such as domestic help, tutors, nannies, maids, painters, plumbers, electricians, brokers, salesmen, and barbers, catering to service requestors.Read more at Shega about how GoodayOn is changing the way independent contractors are operating and the growing gig economy in Ethiopia.

Here is what we've been reading:

Nigerian startup, Raenest, wants to help Africans get hired and paid anywhereMore trouble for Flutterwave after Kenyan Court freezes fintech’s bank accountsDigitisation & innovation:  exploring the business of fashion in AfricaIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.

Here is what we've been reading:

“When your poster child gets assassinated”: Airlift’s collapse shocks Pakistan’s startup worldNigerian fintechs are facing legal troubles in KenyaMr Eazi, Black Coffee and Ajebutter22: The African music artists backing startupsIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.