Issue 8 : How Many Software Developers are in Ethiopia? 

Hello, Welcome to this week's edition of Shega Weekly Newsletter ( Issue # 8). In this edition, we are looking at the announcement of the RFP for the two new telecom license in Ethiopia, Addis Abeba's Digital ID progress, un upcoming Technology and Investment Bank, about new data center service providers in ICT Park, a launch of new food delivery app, and a story about eWTP. Let's go. Also how many software developers are in Ethiopia? Take a guess. If you are here because someone forwarded you or got the link from the web, subscribe to get future newsletters. 

Partner Content

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How Many Software Developers are in Ethiopia? 

According to The e-Conomy Africa 2020 report, prepared by  IFC and Google, there are 17,989 developers in Ethiopia. Across the continent,  there are close to 700,000 professional developers. More than 50% are residing in  Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa. The report that aims to "sheds light on the great potential of Africa’s Internet economy, the promising tech entrepreneurs driving innovation, and the growing tech talent across the continent." can be accessed here.

Addis Abeba Foresees Digital ID Nearby  

Addis Ababa City Administration is working to give its residents a digital ID. The Vital Event Registration Agency said it has been working on the projects for quite some time and has provided more than 16,0000 printed digital IDs in the past month. The ID provision is expected to continue in all the 96 Wereda's of the capital city. Read more ( Amharic) 

Ethiopia Officially Opens Tender for Two Telecoomucation Licenses 

The Ethiopian government has been preparing to open the telecommunication market for more than two years. Several international companies have been showing interest. After preparing and publishing dozens of directives, regulations, and frameworks, the Ethiopian Communication authority has officially announced the request for a proposal for two new telecommunication licenses.

Interested parties are allowed to submit their proposal before March 5th, 2021.  Read More

A Technology and Investment Bank Under Formation

Damota is the new technology and investment share company that got approval from the national bank to sell shares.The bank focuses on modern finance methodologies and investment alternatives for technology-based sectors. The bank expects to propose different finance solutions to innovative ideas as to why they are planning to include the entrepreneur's development and finance office under their organization. The Bank organizers mentioned they have been studying the financial market for the past two years. Learn more ( Amharic) 

Data Center Service Providers Flocking to Ethio ICT Park We have previously reported that Raxio is setting up and investing in ‘Raxio Ethiopia’, its second data center in the region, to build and operate the first state-of-the-art, privately-owned data center in Ethiopia. Now, there are three more companies that are building a data center at Ethio ICT Park. RedFox Web Solution, ScutiX, and Wingu are the companies that signed MOU with Ethiopian Investment Commission and acquired a space at ICT Park. Read More. 

2Mercato Expands to Food Delivery Sector with a Lunch of A New AppEbiz Online Solution, a company behind 2Merkato a major business portal in Ethiopia that provides integrated and up to date information on Ethiopian business expands to the food delivery business. The food delivery app that is called Megbia already listed dozens of restaurants according to the official press release. 

Gera Becomes The First Ethiopian Coffee to Be Sold in eWTPThe door is now open for Ethiopian roasted coffee brands to enter the Chinese market, backed by Alibaba’s Electronic World Trade Platform(eWTP) initiative according to Alizila, Alibaba's media firm. "The eWTP was created to help SMEs gain equal footing with larger companies in conducting global trade. Gera was the first Ethiopian coffee brand to tap the eWTP to enter the China market on Tmall Global earlier this month."  Read More

You should also read :Building Ethiopia’s first online food delivery company: Entrepreneur shares his storyIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.