Unlocking Innovation: The Untapped Potential of University Spinoffs in Ethiopia
By Tsegamlak Solomon Imagine you’re a researcher at a university, working tirelessly on a groundbreaking discovery. You’re passionate about your work, and you know it has the potential to make a real difference in the world. But how do you get your invention out of the lab and into the hands of those who need […]
Beyond Tradition: Women-Owned Business at the Forefront of Telebirr Adoption in Ethiopia
Recently, we met with ‘Emu’ and ‘Roman’ (affectionately known as ‘Mommy’). Both of whom are telebirr agents. They started offering mobile money services with the focus of sustaining their businesses. Emu is a mother of one running a retail shop in the middle of the Piasa neighborhood of Addis Abeba. She inherited the shop 20 […]
An Overview of Ethiopia’s National Bank New Strategic Plan 2023-2026
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has recently released its Strategic Plan for 2023–2026. This strategic plan aims to address the challenges faced by the Ethiopian economy and set a direction for the central bank’s activities. With a focus on stability, financial inclusion, and technological advancements, the NBE aims to create a favorable environment for […]
The Road to Digitalization in Ethiopia: Lessons from Fuel Stations
By Ibrahim Mamma and Endashaw Tesfaye Since April 24, 2023, all 153 gas stations in Addis Ababa have started implementing digital fuel transactions, meaning that all payments now need to be made using digital payment platforms, fully replacing cash. This caused chaotic lines across the city’s main fuel stations because vehicles queued for hours to […]
Visa at the Doorsteps of Ethiopia’s Payment Ecosystem
has had a long-standing presence in Ethiopia, with Ethiopian banks relying on the payment giant to issue debit cards. However, Visa has even greater ambitions for its role in Ethiopia. The company’s leadership team has been visiting the country, and the Ethiopian chapter of its global fintech competition is tagged as a “special edition.” Recently, […]
Web of Permits: Inside the Licensing Regime of Gig Platforms in Ethiopia
On October 9th, a collective of creative minds, innovators, researchers, regulators, and entrepreneurs gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Addis Ababa for the Mesirat Knowledge Series on Digital ID, Taxation, and Gig Workers’ Employment Classification. The event marked the inaugural knowledge series of the Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program, designed to spearhead Ethiopia’s gig economy. The […]
This Ethiopian Innovator Wants To Save Bees, Boost Production Using 3D Printing, Data
Honey is produced in almost all parts of Ethiopia, with distinctive types of honey coming from different regions. Perhaps one of the most well-known and unique is Tigray’s white honey, attributed to the bees’ affection for a plant known as labiate. It has a pure white color and a low moisture content, and some believe it […]
Subscription Stumble: Ethiopian Ecommerce Platform Berbera Learns Hard Lessons, Seeks Reinvention After Closure
Berbera Market, an e-commerce platform launched in early 2021, has shut down its website and halted all operations. Berbera’s CEO, Berket Getenet, attributed the closure to their initial subscription-based business model. The company is currently rebuilding the platform as a B2B model, a shift from its earlier B2C subscription approach. However, until the new platform […]
How a Mother of Two Built a Successful Business Selling Handmade Baby Clothes
Five years ago, while searching through various options in the capital, Kalkidan Betremariam couldn’t find the perfect gift to give to her friend, who just had her first child. According to Kalkidan, the children’s clothes available on the market were often itchy, and the prints on the shirts made babies uncomfortable. “After exploring various options, […]
Exclusive: Ethiopia Launches Regulatory Sandbox to Accelerate Financial Innovation
The Innovative Finance Lab (IFL) has officially launched Ethiopia’s Regulatory Sandbox, which will allow innovative firms to test their products and services in a controlled environment before market launch. Hosted by the IFL and co-owned by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and the Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority (ECMA), the Sandbox facilitates testing within the […]