Issue 81: Bank Transfers, Climate Grants, & Cashless Transactions

Dear readers, 

The latest edition of Shega Weekly is here and we apologize for the delay.In this issue, we highlight the frustration of conducting bank-to-bank transfers, the launch of an edtech platform, the availability of grants for climate resilience startups, a pre-seed investment for a FemTech startup, and the push for cashless fuel transactions in Ethiopia.If you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.

Bank-to-bank Transfer Frustratingly Time-consumingEthiopia has made strides in enhancing its financial services, including the establishment of 32 operational banks and the adoption of digital technology. Nonetheless, The Reporter highlights that businesses in Ethiopia still encounter challenges when it comes to making transfers between banks. Real-time gross settlement (RTGS) transfers should happen instantaneously, but some transfers can take up to five days. Read more.

Ethiopia’s Government Push for Cashless Fuel Transactions Unfolds in SagaThe strict implementation of cashless transactions at gas stations has not been a seamless experience but rather a chaotic one. Drivers are waiting in long lines for hours at stations across the capital to refuel their cars. But despite what’s happening, the state is adamant about going electronic. Read more.

Ethiopian Ministry of Education, 1888EC to Roll Out Edtech App LemarThe Ethiopian Ministry of Education has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with 1888EC, a venture studio, to develop an edtech platform called Lemar that will provide a multi-faceted service to help students achieve better results in their studies. Read more.

GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience, Adaptation 2.0 Offers Grants up to $312,000 for Ethiopian StartupsThe GSMA has announced the opening of the GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation 2.0 and is calling on startups, SMEs, and social enterprises in Ethiopia to apply and get a chance to earn a full support package, including grant funding between $125,000 and $312,000. Read more.

Ethiopian FemTech Startup YeneHealth Secures Pre-Seed Funding from The Case for HerYeneHealth, an early-stage Ethiopian FemTech startup, has announced securing a pre-seed investment from the Swedish-based women's health investment fund, The Case for Her. Read more.

UNCDF, Gates Foundation Launch Cash-in/Cash-Out Project to Boost Agent Networks in EthiopiaAiming to improve the reach and quality of agent distribution networks in Ethiopia, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has launched the Cash-in/Cash-Out (CICO) Project. Read more.

Here is what we've been reading:

Self-checkout is putting elderly grocery baggers out of work in MexicoHow Palmpay’s ruthless debt collection methods are becoming social media memesMozilla buys Fakespot, a startup that identifies fake reviews, to bring shopping tools to FirefoxIf you are here because someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here to get future newsletters.