Controversial Purpose Black Marks Entry into Ethiopia’s Digital Economy
Purpose Black Ethiopia, which recently faced public scrutiny regarding its fundraising practices, has unveiled multiple digital platforms aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s agricultural sector and enhancing consumer experience. Founded by Dr. Fiseha Eshetu, Purpose Black Ethiopia has been gaining attention since its launch in May 2020. The company’s flagship project, Kegeberew (“Straight from the Farm”), addresses […]
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 […]
Ethiopian Fintech Startup Arifpay to Raise 160 Million Birr in Second Funding Round
Ethiopian fintech startup Arifpay is raising 160 million birr (2.8 million dollars) in what marks the company’s second round of funding. Shareholders of Arifpay Financial Technologies unanimously passed the resolution last week, aiming to bring the startup’s capital to 300 million birr. Arifpay initially raised 140 million birr in its first round of funding in […]
Ethiopian Software Development firm Addis Software Secures Investment from Japanese VC, ICJ
a software development company focusing on custom software solutions, mobile apps, and web development, has announced a capital investment from Inclusion Japan, a Tokiyo based Venture Capital firm, promoting social impact investments. The investment structure primarily involves equity/share-based early-stage investment, indicating that Inclusion Japan sees significant value in the company. According to Abenezer Yakob CEO […]