Somalia’s President to Attend Ethiopian Air Force Anniversary: Key Bilateral Talks Expected Overview of the Event On January 21, 2026, news reports confirmed that Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will attend the 90th anniversary celebration of the Ethiopian Air Force in Addis Ababa. This significant event will take place from January 23 to 27, bringing together various dignitaries and leaders in a show of military solidarity and cooperation. Bilateral Meetings on the Horizon Sources close to both governments indicate that during this visit, President Mohamud plans to engage in critical discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Their upcoming meeting…
Author: Abren
Ethiopia’s Digital Blackouts: Eroding Accountability in the Digital Age In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced a series of digital blackouts that raise serious concerns about accountability and freedom of expression. These intentional internet outages often coincide with periods of political unrest, illustrating a troubling trend in government maneuvering to suppress dissent. Understanding Ethiopia’s Digital Blackouts Ethiopia’s government has increasingly resorted to internet shutdowns as a tool for controlling the narrative during pivotal moments, such as protests or elections. By restricting access to information, authorities aim to limit the ability of citizens to organize and share grievances, thus curtailing public voices.…
The Vibrant Transformation of Addis Ababa: Celebrating Timket Addis Ababa’s Ongoing Transformation Addis Ababa is undergoing a remarkable transformation aimed at creating a cleaner, more vibrant capital city. This effort has turned the city into an inviting destination for significant cultural and religious events, enhancing its appeal to both residents and international tourists. Mayor Adanech Abebie recently highlighted this initiative during the grand Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) celebrations held at Jan Meda. The Rich Tapestry of Timket Timket is a festival that embodies Ethiopia’s rich cultural diversity and spiritual heritage. Mayor Abebie emphasized that the celebration is a powerful symbol of…
Construction Begins on Bishoftu International Airport: Africa’s Future Aviation Hub Introduction to Bishoftu International Airport Bishoftu International Airport (BIA), designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, is set to become Africa’s largest airport. Located just 25 miles south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, the airport is poised to serve the continent’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize air travel across Africa. Vision for a Global Aviation Hub BIA is envisioned to become Africa’s primary aviation hub, targeting an impressive 80% of passengers expected to transfer between flights without ever leaving the airport. Its design boasts a multitude of…
Ethiopia’s new national digital identity system, Fayda, is meant to be the backbone of a modern state. Built to establish a “one person, one identity” framework, it promises cleaner public administration, broader financial inclusion and a foundation for digital government. Few dispute the ambition. But as currently designed, Fayda contains a costly omission: Ethiopians who live abroad are largely excluded from it. Under the Digital Identification Proclamation No. 1284/2023, Fayda enrolment is effectively confined to those physically present inside the country. For a nation with one of Africa’s largest and most economically significant diasporas, this territorial constraint is more than a technical oversight.…
IMF Approves $261 Million Disbursement for Ethiopia Amid Economic Reforms The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently approved a significant disbursement of $261 million for Ethiopia, marking a crucial milestone in the country’s ongoing economic reform efforts. This funding was sanctioned after the completion of the fourth review of Ethiopia’s 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program, designed to support the nation’s financial stability and growth. Total Disbursements Under the ECF Program With this latest injection of funds, the total IMF disbursements under the ECF program now exceed $2.18 billion, part of a broader support package approximated at $3.4 billion. The…
Ethiopia’s New Development Cooperation Programme with Finland: A Focus on Education and Climate Resilience Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance recently announced the launch of a new development cooperation programme in partnership with Finland, set to run from 2026 to 2028. This initiative is designed to align with Ethiopia’s national priorities, aiming to address critical areas such as education, climate resilience, and digital transformation. Key Focus Areas Education and Skills Training One of the programme’s primary objectives is to enhance access to quality education and skills training. By investing in educational infrastructure and resources, this initiative seeks to combat the alarming rates…
The Red Sea-Horn of Africa Corridor: A New Regional Landscape The situation across the Red Sea-Horn of Africa corridor is marked by increasing instability, often viewed as a failure of regional governance. This landscape is defined by collapsing states, a surge of non-state armed groups, and escalating proxy battles. However, amidst this chaos exists a crucial distinction between actors that are fragmented and those that tactically exploit this fragmentation. The current crisis has birthed a spectrum of winners and losers, including not only jihadist and criminal networks but also state actors adept at maneuvering through the disorder. Egypt, in particular,…
The Strengthening Partnership Between the EU and Ethiopia Addis Ababa, January 17, 2026 – In a significant move to bolster international relations, the European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing cooperation with Ethiopia across several strategic domains. This follows high-level discussions between Ethiopian leadership and representatives from the European External Action Service (EEAS). Key Discussions Between EU and Ethiopian Officials Recently, Olof Skoog, the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the EEAS, visited Ethiopia for discussions with key figures, including Foreign Minister Gedion Timothowes and President Taye Atske Selassie. The primary focus was to review the current state of…
Ethiopian Investment Holdings: Pioneering Domestic Currency and Economic Growth Introduction to Ethiopian Investment Holdings Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) is poised to revolutionize the country’s economic landscape by establishing domestic currency printing capabilities. In a bold announcement, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) outlined this initiative during the Finance Forward Ethiopia 2026 conference, highlighting the importance of reducing reliance on foreign production of banknotes. Strategic Goals of Currency Printing Initiative Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that the development of domestic currency printing is a crucial component of a larger national strategy aimed at strengthening public ownership and enhancing critical capabilities within Ethiopia’s financial…