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25 November 2014 Economics News Briefs (UPDATED)

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Power Development Plan to Receive 20bn Dollars Injection

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Powering Africa: Ethiopia meeting sees government announce intention to build 10 to 12 new power generating projects.

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The Ethiopian government plans to spend 20 billion dollars on its power development program in its second generation of the, Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP-II), from 2015 to 2020.

This figure is consistent to the country’s annual spending track record of two billion dollars annually for the past three years, according to Mekuria Lemma, head of Strategy & Investment Division at the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).

Mekuria disclosed this at the “Powering Africa: Ethiopia Meeting” organised by the UK-based company, Energy Net Ltd, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel last week. The two-day event aimed to connect governments with local and international power infrastructure developers. It brought together various stakeholders interested in investing in Ethiopia’s green energy, including leaders from the Energy & Environment power (EEP) and the Ethiopian Power Utility (EPU). Representatives of the two organizations have presented the country’s power demand and investment opportunities in the power-generating sector.

Besides government officials, foreign investors have also presented project proposals.

Ethiopia’s government planned budget will be spent on building an additional 10 to 12 new power generating projects, Mekuria disclosed. He hopes to see the government generate the finance from domestic sources, which is to be supplemented with loans.

The projects will utilise local resources as their main input for construction materials. Although Mekuria and the government hope to garner 60pc of the inputs locally, for the remaining 40pc of construction materials, foreign investors interested in investing power generating projects in Ethiopia will be sought according to Mekuria.

The government will offer tax cuts to foreign investors as an incentive, he disclosed. Except for power distribution, which is reserved for the state utility monopoly, investors are encouraged to build, own and operate power generating plants in the country.

Recent data on ongoing construction from the EEP shows that construction completion rates are 40pc for Ethiopia’s signature dam on Abay; the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), 87.6pc for Gilgel Gibe III Hydroelectric, 61pc for Genale Dawa Power Plant, 80pc for Adama II wind power generating farm, and less than 50pc for Reppi (Koshe) Waste to Energy Power Plant Project.

When all these projects in the pipeline come to completion, there is hope that the country will achieve a generation target of close to 10,000Mw. It will be five times larger than the 2,090.4Mw electric power generated from its 15 hydropower stations, and 51Mw from Adama I Wind Farm. Commencing operation in 2011, the Adama I Wind Farm was built with a total cost of 117 million dollars.

During the second generation of GTP, the government aims to increase the energy generation capacity to 15,000Mw. It also aims to expand its total electricity coverage of the country from its current 55pc to 99pc. If achieved, it will be a monumental success compared to the 41pc coverage four years ago.

The government will promote a mix of energy by developing renewable wind and geothermal sources to achieve the intended goals, Mekuria disclosed at the meeting.

Hosted in Ethiopia for the first time, the two-day meeting was attended by 66 international business delegates and government representatives. Powering Africa Summit will be held in Washington, D.C., in January 2015.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/power-development-plan-to-receive-20bn-dollars-injection/

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Oldest Hydro power plant reincarnated

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Aba Samuel Hydroelectric Power Plant is to commence operation within two years after sitting idle for four decades.

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Although its debatable, the power plant is considered to be the first hydro electric plant in the country and it is now being rehabilitated by the Chinese Hydrochina Haudong Engineering Corporation.

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For the rehabilitation, the Chinese government has provided a USD 15 million grant.

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According to Azeb Asnake, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), the project is expected to be finished within 24 months.

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The current rehabilitation includes dam maintenance, installation of four units of turbines and generators, a new penstock and civil engineering work.
After the rehabilitation the power plant is expected to generate 6.6mw of electric power. The Ethiopian government will add 10 million birr for a transmission line and maintenance of an access road.

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The former Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) that recently split into two, has been trying to rehabilitate the plant for the last decade.
The Akaki River and the lake are now contaminated due to citizens’ utilization of the river system.  “Through this process of plant rehabilitation, the contractor is expected to mitigate the problem and enhance green and clean environment,” Azeb said.

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She said that the rehabilitation of the Aba Samuel plant will also help promote tourism around the lake.

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Aba Samuel Dam located on the Akaki River began first phase construction in 1936 with a capacity of 3.3mw and started production in 1941. In 1953 the power plant generated 3.3 mw with one turbine and then 6mw after they installed one additional unit.

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However, in 1974 the plant stopped generating power when the turbines failed.

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http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4743:oldest-hydro-power-plant-reincarnated-&catid=35:capital&Itemid=27

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Ethiopia Plans Debut Dollar-Bond Joining Ghana, Kenya.

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By Lyubov Pronina Nov 25, 2014

Ethiopia plans to sell its first dollar bond as Africa’s fastest-growing economy exploits record demand for the continent’s debt.

Ethiopia picked Deutsche Bank AG and JPMorgan Chase & Co. for fixed-income investor meetings in Europe and the U.S. beginning tomorrow, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified as the information is private. The proceeds of the sale will be used to fund electricity, railway and sugar-industry projects, Finance Minister Sufian Ahmed said Oct. 8.

The Horn of Africa nation is joining issuers, including Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Ivory Coast, who sold what Standard Bank Group Ltd. says is a record $15 billion of Eurobonds this year. Government and corporate issuers are seeking to benefit from investor appetite for higher returns before the Federal Reserve raises interest rates as soon as next year.

“There is an incentive to issue before U.S. rates start to gradually edge up from next year,” Samir Gadio, head of African strategy at Standard Chartered Plc in London, said today by e-mail. “The market seems to expect that Ethiopia will price among the highest-yielding African sovereigns.”

African government and corporate Eurobonds sales this year beat 2013’s record $14 billion, Standard Bank said on Nov. 13. Sovereigns accounted for about 71 percent of issuance, according to the Johannesburg-based lender.

African Returns

The yield on Kenyan dollar bonds due June 2024 was at 5.91 percent today, down from 6.88 percent when it was sold in June. Zambian dollar bonds returned almost 17 percent this year, while Ghanaian debt earned 9.5 percent, according to the Bloomberg USD Emerging Market Sovereign Bond Index. (BEMS) Ivory Coast returned 1.3 percent as neighboring countries battled an outbreak of Ebola, while Gabon earned about 11 percent.

Emerging-market assets have benefited from record-low interest rates in developed nations that pushed investors to seek out higher returns elsewhere. The end of quantitative easing by the Fed and the prospect of its first interest-rate increase since 2006 is drawing some of that money back to the U.S.

Almost 30 years after pictures of Ethiopian children with distended stomachs were used to raise money by Bob Geldof and Live Aid, the country is growing faster than any other African economy, at an average of 10.9 percent over the past decade, International Monetary Fund data shows.

Credit Rating

Ethiopia was assigned its first credit ratings in May. Moody’s Investors Service rates it a non-investment grade B1 with a stable outlook, while Standard & Poor’s gave the East African country a B rating. The country is Africa’s biggest coffee producer and the continent’s second-most populous nation after Nigeria.

Ethiopia’s planned issue could be assisted by technical factors, such as scarcity, as the Eurobond will be the only tradable asset for international investors wanting access to the African nation, Standard Chartered’s Gadio said.

State Minister of Finance Abraham Tekeste and Haji Ibsa, a spokesman for the Finance Ministry, didn’t answer their mobile phones when Bloomberg called each of them seeking comment today.

Ethiopia is building the continent’s biggest hydropower plant on the Blue Nile River, known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, that will probably increase electricity supply five-fold by 2020. It may need to invest about $50 billion in infrastructure over the next five years, of which $10 billion to $15 billion may come from foreign investors, the finance minister said last month.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-25/ethiopia-plans-debut-foreign-currency-bond-joining-ghana-kenya.html

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Answer still no for privatizing banking, telecom, power

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Ethiopia will not open up its telecommunications, banking and power sectors any time soon, according to Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communication and Information Technology.

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In an exclusive interview with Capital, Debretsion said that Ethiopia is not yet ready to open those sectors partially or fully any time soon. “We have to develop all the areas in the country. The rural population should get access to electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. Before we accomplish this we will not open them up,” Debretsion told Capital.

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The country will open up those sectors to international competition when it is ready. “When our capacity increases, then we will open up, because then we can compete,” Debretsion added.

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Ethiopia is at the early stages of development, the deputy prime minister went on to explain, adding that strong control from the government should be applied to protect these services.

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However international organizations such as the World Bank disagree. “Ethiopia needs to open its financial sector in order to maintain the fast economic growth the country has registered for the last ten years. There are some necessary risks, and financial integration is a necessary risk. Ethiopia currently does not have a financial sector that has integrated with the rest of the world,” states the World Bank’s 2014 World Development Report.

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“Other countries that have been growing at the same rate as Ethiopia have been able to sustain the level of growth only by integration. The question is how you manage the integration and that is where some of the lessons from international experiences can be used,” the report further suggests.
Debretsion argues this saying that the country maintains its growth because it was not part of the world’s financial system. “If we were part of the international financial system we would have collapsed during the financial crisis,” he said.

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A French high official also agrees with Debretsion. “The country should first build its muscles on these sectors, then it can allow outside markets to these sectors. Otherwise they will be swallowed by the much stronger international companies,” the French official who commented on conditions of anonymity said.

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Debretsion also said that international companies always look for their benefits, “multinational companies want profits; they are not bothered about connectivity, they don’t care about developing the rural areas, but we care about developing the rural areas that’s why we don’t open them,” he added.

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http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4747:answer-still-no-for-privatizing-banking-telecom-power-&catid=35:capital&Itemid=27

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United Expenditure up in Bid to Lead Banking Sector Technological Development

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Such a drive is partly behind a significant increase in United’s expenditure last year, up by 148.6 million Br, from the previous year, reaching 680.5 million Br. It was a point on which shareholders who met inside the Addis Abeba Hilton on November 13, 2014, and demanded explanations.

Explanations came from the Bank’s President, Taye Dibekulu, who attributed the increases to the strategy designed to make the bank paperless.

“We want to be on the lead in the technological development of the banking sector,” Taye told shareholders.

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The Bank’s board of directors chairman Fasil Asnake (left) smiling and whispering to the Bank’s President Taye Dibekulu (right) after the gathering.

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United Bank S.C. has registered a net profit of 278.17 million Br in the fiscal year 2013/14, one per cent lower than last year’s. However, the significant drop was seen on Earnings Per Share (EPS), which has decreased by 28.45pc, to 34.13 Br.

“The reason behind the decrease in EPS is our decision to increase the Bank’s capital,” said Taye. “We had discussed that the decrease in the EPS was to come.”

Nonetheless, it remains to be an amount higher than what its peers in the industry offered to their shareholders during the same period. Nib International Bank has offered 28.5pc in EPS, followed by Wogagen Bank’s 26pc, and Zemen Bank’s 24pc.

The paid-up capital of the Bank has increased to 898.3 million Br, which is up by 298.3 million Br from the previous fiscal year.

The staff and administrative costs have also soared, from 151.47 million Br to 198.92 million Br. Although the Bank has managed to control its expenses on interests, its operating costs have expanded considerably. They went up to 400.75 million Br, from 284.6 million Br in the preceding year.

“This has to stop somewhere,” says Eshetu Woldekidan, a shareholder of the Bank with 3,823 shares. “With the interjection of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) we cannot imagine where it is going.”

He calls on the regulatory hands of the central bank to do something similar in imposing limits to compensations paid to board of directors of banks. The NBE has limited the maximum annual remuneration of directors to be 50,000 Br.

Taye, however, defends his record in compensating his staff numbered 2,424, which he said cannot be stopped from increasing, as the staff needs benefits and salary increases every year, in accordance with the Bank’s development plans.

United Bank has made impressive advances in several key areas, including its total income, which has exceeded a record of one billion Birr, showing a growth of 15pc from last year. The income from interest loans, advances and investments in the NBE bonds increased to 716.23 million Br, showing a growth of 19pc from 2013/14.

The assets of the Bank have also increased by 19pc, reaching 11.8 billion Br and the loans and advances disbursed in the reporting year have reached 4.99 billion Br, an increase by eight per cent. The liquid assets of the Bank too increased significantly. The total cash and bank balances held by United Bank have increased by 64pc, to 3.38 billion Br, and the cash and bank balances to total assets ratio has increased from 25.57pc to 36pc.

This is not necessarily a development which should comfort those responsible for the management of the Bank, according to Abdulmena Mohammed Hamza, financial analyst and accounts manager at London-based Portobello Group Ltd.

“The building of liquidity has deprived its interest income, which could have been generated had these resources been used in revenue generating activities,” Abdulmena said.

Taye acknowledged the high concentration of liquidity during the reported year, but attributed it to economic slowdowns in the country over the summer.

“But this is not true with our Bank as we have disbursed loans to the traders, taking advantage of winter trading activities,” Taye told Fortune.

United Bank has increased its subscribed capital to 1.6 billion Br, showing an increase of 374.1 million Br on the previous year.

“We’ll work to increase the paid-up capital in order not to affect the EPS,” Taye told Fortune.

Although critical on United Bank’s mounting administrative expenditures, Eshetu, a shareholder, is pleased to see United perform better than its peers where he also has shares.

“I see a brighter future for United than the other banks I own shares in, in terms of EPS and other developments,” Eshetu told Fortune.

By contrast, the income from foreign exchange dealings failed to exceed 81.35 million Br, showing a drop of 13pc.

“Bank management needs to investigate why United’s industry position is being eroded, and develop a strategy to reverse this downward spiral,” comments Abdulmena.

The President disagreed.

“Income has shown an increase from the previous year, but it is not up to expectations,” he told Fortune. “This is because of the decline in the international market of coffee, as most of our customers are coffee exporters.”

http://addisfortune.net/articles/united-expenditure-up-in-bid-to-lead-banking-sector-technological-development/

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Misys updates core banking system for Ethiopian bank

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Misys has implemented a core banking system for Ethiopia’s second largest private bank, Awash International Bank, which has enabled it to reduce its IT costs while introducing new services.

Ethiopia is Sub-Saharan Africa’s fifth biggest economy and is expected to record GDP growth of approximately 10.6% this year according to CNBC Africa. Awash International Bank is keen to tap into growing demand for financial services as the country moves towards middle-income status over the next decade.

The new system uses Misys’s FusionBanking Essence product, which includes componentised solutions for retail and small business banking and was named a ‘leader’ in the 2014 Gartner Magic Quadrant for international retail core banking. It will enable Awash International Bank to offer new services to its customers in internet banking, mobile banking, agent banking, portal transaction and point of sale.

“Misys has been our strategic technology partner for almost two decades,” said Ato Tsehay Shiferaw, president of Awash International Bank. “Core banking replacement is a high risk activity, but Misys took full responsibility for risk around implementation, ensuring absolutely no disruption to our customer service – most vendors would not take such measures.”

Awash International Bank has also deployed FusionBanking Essence Teller, Misys’s browser-based teller application, across 97 branches in Ethiopia. “Awash International Bank has a strong history of pioneering new technologies to maintain its competitive edge and market leadership,” added Nadeem Syed, CEO Misys.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16227-misys-updates-core-banking-system-for-ethiopian-bank

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Wegagen Bank profits 414mln birr

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Wegagen Bank amassed 414 million birr in pre-tax profits last year.
During the 21st general assembly held at the Addis Ababa Hilton Hotel, Wegagen Bank announced that it earned 318 million birr in net profits after tax during the 2013/14 fiscal year. Last year it registered 340 million birr net profits.

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In the 2012/13 fiscal year the bank’s paid up capital reached one billion birr, which is double the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) requirement, and it has expanded it to 1.3 billion birr in the past fiscal year.

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The total capital including the reserve has reached 2.1 billion birr, according to Araya Gebre Egziabher, president of Wegagen; its total assets reached 11.5 billion birr, which is a 1.1 billion birr growth compared with the 2012/13 fiscal year figures.

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According to the bank’s statement that was released to the general assembly the total deposit mobilization has grown compared with the previous year.
The annual report indicated that Wegagen’s total deposits reached 8 billion birr, from 7.5 billion birr in the 2012/13 fiscal year.

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According to the report, the 2013/14 fiscal year’s loan and advances disbursed to the bank’s customers was similar with the 2012/13 performance, which is 4.5 billion birr.

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Two years ago the bank disbursed 3.4 billion birr in loans and advances to interested borrowers.

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According to the bank statement the number of shareholders in the past fiscal year has reached 2,203; a figure that amounted to 2,157 a year ago.
Meanwhile, Wegagen Bank’s leaders are enthusiastic about the construction of a 23 floor headquarter building in the heart of the city around National Stadium.

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Bank officials announced that work of the 805 million birr project was progressing and they expect the building to be completed by April 2016.

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Currently, Wegagen has 98 branches throughout the country; along with  89 ATM and 136 PoS machines. The bank is currently using the Agar Visa Card and is in the process of introducing Master Card, one of the three largest credit card companies.

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Recently the bank launched a mobile and Internet banking system. “The new technological banking service particularly mobile banking is significant because it allows bank access for 24 hours,” the bank report stated. The new mobile service offers customers greater flexibility and convenience and the ability to receive SMS alerts every time there is activity in their bank accounts which provides enhanced security.

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In addition, the bank’s corporate Internet banking makes it possible for organizations to make bulk payments for expenditures like salaries, announced the bank, which is currently using 17 international money transfer companies.

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The bank, established in 1997 with 15 founding shareholders and 30 million birr in capital now has 2,203 shareholders.

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http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4744:wegagen-bank-profits-414mln-birr&catid=35:capital&Itemid=27

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Nyala Insurance to double its capital

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The general assembly of Nyala Insurance SC (NISCO) announced plans to more than double their paid up capital from the current 125 million birr.

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This past year has been good for one of the strongest insurance companies in Ethiopia as their growth remained strong.

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At the general assembly, held on Tuesday November 18, at the Sheraton Addis, NISCO’s shareholders agreed to expand the company’s paid up capital to 300 million birr, which will make it one of the leading insurers in terms of capital strength.

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A year ago the company decided to expand its capital to 125 million birr, from 35 million birr the preceding year. This decision came about as a result of actions the company took to increase the firm’s capability to bring in more money.

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NISCO has significantly increased its market share to 6.2 percent in the past fiscal year. The company earned 77.8 million birr in pre-tax profits during the 2013/14 fiscal year. Their net profits (after tax) stood at 66.1 million birr for the past fiscal year and the earning per share stood at 1,396 birr.

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Last fiscal year, the insurance firm provided 98.5 billion birr worth of life and general insurance. This means that their coverage for these two types of insurance grew by four billion birr or four percent when compared with 2012/13.

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The total amount of money NISCO earned from premiums was 307.3 million birr, which is a growth of 14 percent compared with the preceding year.
The gross written premiums in the general insurance sector stood at 266.3 million birr, which registered a growth of nine percent compared with the previous year.

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Auto insurance took the majority of that with a 42 percent share of the market. This was followed by engineering, marine and fire insurance at 13, 12 and 11 percent respectively.

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Meanwhile, incurred claim increased by 31.5 percent from 69.5 million birr to 91.4 million birr in the 2013/14 fiscal year.

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The company’s life insurance grew by 53 percent which is significant because that type of insurance has not been performing well recently, say pundits. “Based on our strategic plan for the current fiscal year life insurance is expected to grow significantly,”  Yared Mola, CEO of NISCO, said at press conference held after the general assembly.

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From the total 181 million birr in expenses, 62 percent of that went to pay claims. Car accidents and the price of spare parts have been on the upswing and that has affected insurance. Still for NISCO their loss ration for auto insurance did not exceed 54 percent. The industry average loss ratio for auto insurance is 65 percent.

Currently the insurance firm is offering micro insurance coverage for farmers in Oromia, Amhara, Tigray and SNNP regions.

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“During the current fiscal year we have a plan to expand micro insurance in one another region and expand the coverage into livestock,” Yared added.

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The total assets of the company reached 618 million birr which is a growth of 142 million birr or 30 percent.

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NISCO is adding and renovating service centers (branches). It has 16 in Addis and 9 in other regions. There are plans to open 15 new service centers based on its strategic plan that will end within 5 years.

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http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4746:nyala-insurance-to-double-its-capital&catid=35:capital&Itemid=27

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World’s power producers flock to Ethiopia

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The Power Africa meeting, a continental energy talk held for three consecutive years in Addis Ababa, has been attracting interest from energy industry representatives.

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Experts who attended the two day meeting at Radisson Blu from November 20 have attracted international financiers, contractors, investors and international organizations, eager to be part of the exciting developments in the energy sector.

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The number of private sector participants is increasing, indicating that companies want to be involved in developing the energy sector on the continent.

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“Around 70 private sector participants showed up and that is a dramatic increase from the 50 last year,” experts in the energy sector said.

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“I talked with every participant in my office before they came to the conference, which will provide insight in selecting the most appropriate and enthusiastic developers,” Mekuria Lemma, plan and program head of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), told Capital.

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“We have a huge interest in expanding the private sector’s involvement in power development and because of that this is a good opportunity for us to attract potential investors,” Mekuria who presented his enterprise’s strategy and future projects at the meeting, added.

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He said that several applications are coming from the private sector to be part of the renewable energy development in the country.

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Recently Ethiopia ratified a law mandating private sector development of  electric power from wind, solar, geothermal and hydro.

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EEP and Reykjavik Geothermal (RG) also signed an agreement allowing the company to sell electricity to EEP. Currently, RG is developing the Corbeti Geothermal project that will generate 1,000MW when completed.

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Ethiopia wants to use both the private and public sectors to expand power generation. According to the country’s law, power developers have to sell the energy to EEP, which has a state monopoly on power distribution.

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http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4735:worlds-power-producers-flock-to-ethiopia&catid=35:capital&Itemid=27

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Logistics Strategy Report Draft Expected this Week

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In-depth study of existing logistics and full logistics strategy in fourth phase, final draft of the report is expected to be submitted to the Committee on November 27, 2014.

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Nathan Associates Inc. (NAI), the American company hired by the Ethiopian government to conduct a detailed study of the country’s logistics system and develop a national logistics strategy, is expected to submit its fourth findings of the project to the Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority (EMAA), on Monday October 24, 2014.

Ethiopia ranks 141 in the world in the logistics sector, according to a 2013 Ethiopia Economic Update II report published by the World Bank. It is a drop from the 104th ranking the country had five years ago. Reports published by the organization indicate that poor logistics is severely hampering trade and foreign direct investment.

Importing a single 20ft container costs 2,400 dollars, whereas export costs 200 dollars more, the report states. In Tanzania, imports cost just 1,090 dollars, and exports in neighboring Kenya require 2,000 dollars. While in Ethiopia importing a container takes 41 days and exports 40 days, in Kenya exports only take 21 days.

This has forced the Ethiopian government to develop a more in-depth detailed strategy for the logistics sector.

Hired by the government to complete the strategy in March 2014, and follow-up on its implementation, the consultant submitted its third draft report in the one million dollar project, in mid October 2014. The new strategy being developed aims to slash the time it takes to import and export by half, according to a source involved in the project.

The latest report of the third stage of the study, dubbed ‘the blue print’, will be the country’s future logistics strategy. It was submitted to a committee formed by the Authority under the directorship of Mekonnen Abera, which is responsible for the follow up of the progress on the study.

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Mekonnen Abera, general director of Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority (EMAA)

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The Committee, after the submission, sent the draft for comment to various institutions that have a stake in the implementation of the strategy.

These institutions include the Technique Committee, composed of representatives of the Office of the Prime Minister, Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE), Ethiopian Freight Forwarders & Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) and others, such as the Ethiopian Revenues & Customs Authority (ERCA), Federal Transport Authority (FTA), the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and financial institutions, such as the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE).

“There is a logistics transformation unit established at the Authority that will be the implementing entity of the strategy,” Liyuwork Amare, the national logistic strategy study follow up contact person at the Authority, told Fortune. “The unit will follow the logistics and strategy affairs and will compile the comments of these parties to send it to the consultant.”

This unit also had a video conference with the NAI for further refinement after the submission of the first draft report.

Comments from the industry mainly focused on the implementation of the strategy in accordance with the country’s context, such as the landlocked nature of the country, according to Liyuwork.

The first two reports of the NAI study, submitted consecutively to the committee, were the inception and the diagnostic reports. The former dealt with the conditions of the logistics sector and identified the areas where the sector could be improved. The latter assessed the institutions involved in the logistics sectors and identified the hindrances to the logistics service through the supply and value chain, taking some export and import items into consideration.

There was a great deal of dissatisfaction on the scope of the study Nathan carried out during its first presentation in Harmony Hotel back in September 2013, where many criticized its experts for focusing on Ethio-Djibouti corridor and not on the national logistics roadmap.

“The implementing bodies know what can be achieved and what cannot, as the nature of the strategies and the implementation depends on the context in the country,” Liyuwork says.

After the corrections, in light of comments made, the next step of the project is to draft the implementation methodology. This is called the intervention stage and will show how the strategy needs to be implemented. It is expected to be delivered to the committee at the Authority on Monday, November 24, 2014.

The final draft of the report is expected to be submitted to the Committee on Thursday, November 27, 2014, after the corrections are made.

After the submission of the final draft, a steering committee of the government, especially designed for the reviewing of the reports by NAI, headed by the Prime Minister, will see the report to check the implementation of recommendations, officials at the Authority disclosed to Fortune. The final step will be the implementation stage that is to be conducted under the supervision of NAI.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/logistics-strategy-report-draft-expected-this-week/

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Number of Turkish companies visiting Ethiopia increasing

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Number of Turkish companies visiting Ethiopia increasing

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Number of Turkish companies visiting Ethiopia because of their desire in investing in the country has been increasing, Ethiopian Ambassador to Turkey Ayalew Gobeze announced.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Ambassador said 120 Turkish companies visited Ethiopia last year. Of these investors some have already got licenses and others are planning their projects.

The number is expected to increase this year. Some 10 Turkish investors, who are interested to invest in Ethiopia, have visited the country in the month of September, he added.

These companies have shown interest to engage in textiles and leather industries and cotton cultivation, he said.

Noting the share of Turkish investment in Ethiopia is large, Ayalew said, number of companies that are desirous to invest in Ethiopia is also increasing.

A total of 350 projects owned by Turkish companies are licensed so far, of which 90 are already operational.

In addition to textiles, leather and agro processing, Turkish companies are also engaged in the construction sector.

The bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Turkey have been growing over the past years, according to Aykut Kubaroglu East African Affairs Deputy Director at Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Turkey has created strong investment tie with Ethiopia, which is one of the fast growing economies in the world, he added.

The favorable investment atmosphere, fast economic growth and peace and stability of the country are helping Ethiopia to attract more Turkish investment, the Director said.

http://213.55.98.22/enae/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2538:number-of-turkish-companies-visiting-ethiopia-increasing&Itemid=260

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Senior CPC leader vows stronger ties with Ethiopia

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A senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said on Monday the CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges with the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Demeke Mekonnen, EPRDF vice chairman and vice prime minister of Ethiopia.

Hailing the fruitful cooperation between both countries since they forged an all-round cooperative partnership in 2003, Liu said China hopes to work closely with Ethiopia to implement the consensus reached between both state leaders, respect each other and learn from one another, to promote bilateral ties.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the official relationship between the CPC and the EPRDF. Liu said the CPC hopes to share experience with the EPRDF in governance, and make joint efforts to facilitate stronger China-Ethiopia and China-Africa ties.

Applauding the comprehensive substantial cooperation between Ethiopia and China, Demeke Mekonnen said the EPRDF is ready to cement cooperation with the CPC and learn from China’s experience, to push forward stronger bilateral ties.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16228-senior-cpc-leader-vows-stronger-ties-with-ethiopia

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Ethiopia, Portugal to Boost Trade, Investment Ties

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Ethiopia, Portugal to Boost Trade, Investment Ties

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Ethiopia and Portugal should boost their trade and investment relations utilizing the long-standing diplomatic cooperation of the two countries, Portugal’s Ambassador to Ethiopia said.

In an exclusive interview with Ethiopian News Agency, Ambassador Antonio Luis Cotrim said the economic tie of the two countries is weak, even if the diplomatic relationship spanned for many years.

The ambassador, who noted that the annual trade exchange of the countries is not more than three million Euros, added that both parties have started activities to increase the amount.

Portugal imports coffee and leather products while it exports pharmaceutical products to Ethiopia.

Although many Portuguese investors have shown interest in investing in Ethiopia, it is only one company which is engaged in renewable energy generation in Tigray State, the ambassador stated.

According to Ambassador Cotrim, the countries have signed agreements that strengthen the bondages of the governments and the private sectors in different sectors. The signed agreements cover education, politics, youth and sport, culture and media, he indicated.

The countries are also working closely in international politics, economy and security issues in addition to bilateral cooperation.
Ambassador Cotrim admired Ethiopia’s efforts in bringing peace and stability to Africa and East Africa in particular.

The cultural and people-to-people relationship of Ethiopia and Portugal is around 500 years, according to the ambassador.

A concert will be held at the National Theatre next month to commemorate the occasion, he added. A painting exhibition will then be held in January.

http://213.55.98.22/enae/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2549:ethiopia-portugal-to-boost-trade-investment-ties&Itemid=219

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Yemen Keen to Strengthen Relations with Ethiopia: Speaker Yahya Ali Al-raa’e

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Yemen Keen to Strengthen Relations with Ethiopia: Speaker Yahya Ali Al-raa’e

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Speaker of Yemen’s Parliament, Yahya Ali Al-raa’e said his country is keen to strengthen its long-standing relations with Ethiopia.

The speaker delivered today a letter sent to President Mulatu Teshome from President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

According to the speaker, Yemen wants to particularly strengthen relations in investment and trade.

The country especially wants to share Ethiopia’s experience in its inclusive development, he added.

President Mulatu said on his part Ethiopia is ready to support Yemen and to strengthen the long-standing sisterhood relationship of the two countries.

He stated that Yemen will be one of the beneficiaries of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This will open another chapter in boosting further the friendship of the countries.

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Yemen started in 1935, it was learned.

http://213.55.98.22/enae/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2540:yemen-keen-to-strengthen-relations-with-ethiopia-speaker-yahya-ali-al-raa’e&Itemid=260

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Ethiopia succesfully holds out climate change crisis: Dr. Tewoldeberhane

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Ethiopia has successfully withstood  serious climate change impacts, which  is a severe threat for  human existence.

In his exclusive interview with WIC, Advisor in the Ministry of Environment and forest Dr. Tewoldeberhan  Gebreegzabher said that Ethiopia has been effectively implementing the robust policies designed to reduce the hazards of climate change crisis.

He said that Ethiopia has been achieving encouraging results  in its efforts against  the impacts of climate changes.

One of the  successes of the nation is its capability of  reducing carbon emissions, which is the main causes  of crisis of climate changes, he said, adding that this is  taken as  a model by other  countries.

According to Tewoldeberhan, Ethiopia  is  constructing  carbon emissions  free  Hydroelectric  Dams  and  Railway systems  that  this environment friendly development  has emanated  from the viable economic  policy  of country.

Efforts are exerted to plant billions of  seedlings  all over the country that  have rased the 3 per cent  forest  to 10 per cent  in the past ten years,   said  Dr Tewolde Berhan.

He alsao added that the development  of green  economy  is underway to  reduce  the carbon pollution in the country.

Millions of Ethiopians are participating in the rural soil and water conservation programs in all regions, said  Tewoldeberehan,  adding the activities not only contribute  to  protect   climate  change crisis but also raise  agricultural productivity.

Dr. Tewoldbrhan, a former Director General of Ethiopian Environment Protection Authority is among the few scientist of the world who is tirelessly working to protect the human being from the crisis of climate change.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/editors-pick/16229-ethiopia-succesfully-holds-out-climate-change-crisis-dr-tewoldeberhane-

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Ethiopia harnesses sewage to cut climate emissions, pollution

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Sewage in Ethiopia’s capital could soon be turned into cylinders of compressed biogas as part of an effort to clean up the city, cut climate-changing emissions and find new sources of clean energy.

Currently the Addis Ababa Water and Sewage Authority (AAWSA) estimate that it collects and treats only 12 percent of the city’s liquid waste. But a new effort to trap sewage and use bio-digesters to turn it into biogas and fertilizer could help lower energy costs, reduce methane emissions from sludge and cut spills, its backers say.

The 18 million US dollars project is a joint effort of the city’s water and sewage authority, a non-governmental environmental monitoring firm and 4R Energy, an Ethiopian firm that focuses on recycling and reusing municipal waste for renewable energy.

Benjamin G. Sishuh, 4R Energy’s project manager, said he sees the effort as a way of scaling up small-scale biogas projects that have proliferated in Africa and elsewhere.

“I saw that biogas use in rural or urban area was very small, so I came up with a plan for biogas development that can be used by the majority of the population (and) which can be affordable” said Sishuh. He said his company wants to put the project into effect at two large waste dumps in the city.

The project could be operational as soon as early next year, he said. If successful, it could supply as much as 30 percent of Ethiopia’s compressed natural gas needs, AAWSA estimates.

Ethiopia currently meets its gas demands by importing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from countries including Yemen, Sudan and Libya, Shishuh said.

The project is a public-private partnership with environmental non-profit Lem Ethiopia carrying out environmental monitoring and impact assessment, he said.

Sishuh’s company hopes that gas produced by the project will be sold to households for cooking and heating, at prices lower than those families now pay for imported gas. Fertilizer produced from the waste also could be sold to farmers inexpensively, he said.

REDUCING CLIMATE CHANGE, POLLUTION

But city officials are most interested in the project’s ability to reduce methane emissions and local pollution, which is worsening as the capital grows.

Nuri Mohammed, a wastewater treatment manager at AAWSA, said lack of sewage treatment today leads to problems with the safety of drinking water, and could spell outbreaks of diseases such as cholera if not properly dealt with.

AAWSA, which is struggling to keep up with the city’s waste disposal needs, is currently expanding Kaliti wastewater treatment plant in order to increase its capacity by 90 percent, to around 1,000 cubic meters of waste per day by 2016, he said.

Nuri said that as the city tries to cope with a growing number of homes and businesses, the need for proper sewage disposal is paramount and his authority is working on expanding sewer systems to accommodate the flow.

Currently some of Addis Ababa’s sewage is deposited at several dump sites where it is converted into fertilizer for non-edible crops, such as flowers.
Moges Worku, the executive director of Lem Ethiopia, the organization that will carry out environmental monitoring of the project, said it will have “great impact in cutting greenhouse gases being evaporated from the landfill sludge to the atmosphere”.

Ethiopia aims to become a net zero carbon emitter by 2025 through the use of renewable energy, biofuel and reforestation programs.

Gebreegzabhir Gebremeksel 33, who owns a small restaurant that employs three staff, said cheap gas is a major attraction of the project. Today he spends on average 20 percent of his income on liquefied petroleum gas, he said.

Each month he spends on average 1,630 birr ($81) on gas cylinders to run his restaurant and his home, a cost on top of feeding his family, paying his workers and paying his rent, he said. Any reduction in the cost of energy would produce welcome savings, he said.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16199-ethiopia-harnesses-sewage-to-cut-climate-emissions-pollution

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Government Considering to Pull ZTE Off ethio telecom Deal

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800 million dollars deal on the brink of collapse, Sony Ericsson ready to step in

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ZTE, the Chinese telecommunications equipment and network solutions provider, is on the brink of losing an 800 million dollars deal with ethio telecom, following its refusal to work on the swapping of the old networks. The deal termination will deliver ZTE into the hands of Sony Ericsson, now Sony Mobile Communications AB.
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ZTE is going to lose the project within a few weeks if it does not agree to swap the old network with the one to be newly installed, according to Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD), minister at the Communication & Information Technology, in the rank of Deputy Prime Minister.

The project was signed in August last year, when ZTE and its other Chinese competitor, Huawei Technologies, won these contracts. The contract was to provide fourth generation (4G) technology, a broadband technology allowing browsing speed of 100mb per second in Addis Abeba, and to enable third generation (3G) services across the country, with a total investment of 1.6 billion dollars, which was to be obtained from the Chinese government through these companies.

Huawei finds itself in good footing with the project, moving now into testing its 4G network in the capital, with individuals selected by ethio-telecom experiencing the service. Its fierce competitor faces a snag.

ethio-telecom, the Ethiopian state monopoly, divided the country into 12 infrastructural zones, allowing one sole vendor within each to undertake swift maintenance services. The ZTE contract was to set up a network in Addis Abeba, where there have been other networks set up by Nokia, Siemens and Ericsson.

“We requested a new commitment from ZTE to include the swapping of the old network, along with the optimisation they are working on according to the former agreement” said Debretsion. “But their response to our demand was negative, reasoning that it is an extra service requiring additional payment.”

ZTE’s officials in Addis Abeba deny the government’s decision to pull out from the deal although confirmed the existence of discussion over the dispute.

“We are still negotiating stage,” ZTE’s public relations officer by the name Pise, told Fortune.

She has declined, however, to speak further on the subject, claiming non-disclosure clause in the contract with the telecom monopoly.

Under this contract, the three-phase project was finalised three months ago. The first phase involved replacing the old Nokia network, set up in 75 areas including Bisrate Gabriel, Mekanisa, Ayer Tena, Alem Bank, and Alem Gena, with a new Huawei network. The second phase involved 239 further areas.

In the third phase, ethio-telecom built the capacity for providing the 4G service for 400,000 customers, by completing civil works, erecting antennas and installing service equipment in an additional 410 sites. In these sites, there will be 210 antennas supporting 4G. A total of 722 antennas were installed bringing the city’s service coverage reach to 100pc.

The expansion project, which is to be completed by the end of the Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP) period, in 2014/15, is supposed to increase the mobile service capacity from 23 million to 50 million, with 40 million subscribers.

Following the completion of these three phases, ethio-telecom was expected to offer 4G services in Addis Abeba and begin the countrywide optimisation by the beginning of this year, but this has yet to happened.

“As an alternative, and as a back-up, we have planned two deals that we are discussing with Sony Ericsson, which seems fruitful,” Debretsion disclosed to Fortune.

ZTE also fell into a tax row with the Ethiopian Revenues & Customs Authority (ERCA), as the Authority required 920 million Br in tax from the company, as well as interest and penalties, which was finalised by administrative measures reducing the tax by nearly half.

Ericsson agreed to come up with the financing, as ZTE has done before, and will also work on the full swapping, according to Debretsion.

The first overseas firm to install mobile networks in Addis Abeba for 19,000 subscribers while still Ericsson AB, Sony-Eric is a multinational mobile phone manufacturing company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and Lund, Sweden.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/govt-considering-to-pull-zte-off-ethio-telecom-deal/

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First Contract for Bombardier in Ethiopia

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Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has won a contract to deliver the main-line signalling solution for Ethiopia’s new 400km Awash-Weldia line.

The order has a value of approximately 36 million euros and was awarded by Turkish construction company Yapi Merkezi.

Part of an investment programme by Ethiopian Railways to extend the country’s rail network, the new link is to be equipped with the proven Bombardier Interflo 250 system; this is based on the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) — a globally standardised signalling system that will ensure the new railway’s high utilisation.

Erdem Arioglu, board member of Yapi Merkezi, said: “This is one of the longest lines tendered as a turn-key project in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yapi Merkezi went through a very detailed selection process to determine its suppliers and sub-contractors and Bombardier was selected due to its proven track record and successful long-term co-operation with us on similar projects world-wide.”

Bombardier’s advanced rail control solutions have already been selected across Africa, including the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link and Durban’s main rail corridors in South Africa, plus Zambia’s north–south connection between Livingstone and Chingola — plus the upgrade of Morocco’s Casablanca to Tangiers line. Bombardier is also providing Algeria.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16216-first-contract-for-bombardier-in-ethiopia

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States, Investors Pledge 357 Million Birr for Dev’t of Zone

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States, Investors Pledge 357 Million Birr for Dev’t of Zone

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A pledge of 375 million birr was made to sustainably solve the problems and the development of Wag Himra Zone.

The money was raised by a fund raising campaign organized by Wag Himra Development Association, regional states, and local investors.

Speaking on the occasion, President Mulatu Teshome said the peoples of the country are working effectivey in speeding up the prosperity of the country by making use of the favorable national environment created to fight poverty and accelerate the renaissance of Ethiopia.

Yet there are still students in some parts of the country that attend classes under trees and people who do not have health services, he added.

The challenges these compatriots face is not to be taken lightly, the president stressed.

According to Mulatu, since developing any part of the country is beneficial to all Ethiopians, the government and all stakeholders should strive hard to develop Wag Himra Zone.

House of Federation Speaker Kassa Teklebirhan said on his part the fund raised demonstrates that the federal system we established is not only competitive but also where regional states support one another to solve their problems and develop the country together.

According to Kassa, there are some indications that Wag Himra Zone could possibly be a source of wealth for the country, even if the zone was devastated by famine and war.

Coffee and sesame exporter Belayneh Kindie stated that investors have national responsibility to support localities lagging behind in development along with the government as the country is on the road of development.

The investor pledged over 1 million birr and added that he would further consolidate his support.

Out of the total amount of money pledged for Wag Himra Zone, 30 million birr was by Amhara regional state, 20 million birr by Tigray, 10 million birr by Gambella, 5 million birr by Afar, 4 million birr by Oromia, and 3 million birr by Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples states.

http://213.55.98.22/enae/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2541:states-investors-pledge-357-million-birr-for-dev’t-of-zone&Itemid=260

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Government Strengthens Copyright Proclamation for Right-Holders

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Collective Management Society to be established to manage copyright payments.

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Brehanu Adelo, general manager of EIPPO

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Ethiopia’s Parliament has ratified the bill for the amendment of the existing Copyright & Neighboring Rights Protection Proclamation first issued in 2004, on November 18, 2014.

The original proclamation lacked some specific issues which are now included in the amendment, according to its authors. The first of these is royalty-fees payable to the owner of a work protected under the proclamation, which includes writings, audio recordings, pictures and photographs. It is to be collected by the Collective Management Society (CMS) from those who use the works for commercial purposes.

“The Society will be responsible for the collection of the royalties from the users of the works,” Brehanu Adelo, the general manager of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Protection Office (EIPPO), told Fortune.

The Society, which will comprise different right-holders in the copyright arena, is to be established and recognised by Brehanu’s Office through an application letter.

The Society will be formed for non-profit purposes, according to the proclamation.

After the establishment, the mandates of the Society are to collect royalties from users and distribute them to the right-holders, preparing royalty schemes and submitting them to the Office for approval and implementation, preparing a working manual to submit to it and withhold income tax to pay it to the Ethiopian Revenues & Customs Authority (ERCA).

“The redistribution of the royalty is also the mandate of the society,” said Brehanu. “The Office is not going to intervene in this system; we only identify if the scheme is reasonable or not, in accordance with the paying capacity of the users.”

The establishment of an Intellectual Property Tribunal is also included in the new amendment. Tribunals are not new in the Ethiopian legal context. There are some, like the tax appeal commission which looks into cases related to tax valuation, and the Federal Trade Competition & Consumers’ Protection Appellate Tribunal.

“There is a tribunal now in the Office which has been operating on the cases of trademarks and we only need to reorganise the structure,” Brehanu said. “There are legal areas that require some expertise in the field and this is one of them.”

The establishment of the tribunal also helps solve the traffic at courts by taking some of the claimers, according to Brehanu.

The amendment encountered controversy during the process of the ratification, especially based on the Marrakesh Treaty, which favors those with disabilities, as they will need to use the works produced by others after changing it into another form. This means those who are seeing impaired have the right to access books and change it into an audio recording.

Even though Ethiopia signed the Marrakesh Treaty in June 2013, the Parliament has yet to ratify the treaty which could have become the law.

“We have asked some questions on the amendment during the public hearing, but now the amendment has been ratified,” Gebre Teshome, the public relations branches and membership affairs head at the Ethiopian National Association of the Blind (ENAB). “Now, after the ratification, I will not comment on the law.”

The Association expects the treaty to be ratified within two months as it is tabled by the Council of Ministers at present, according to Gebre.

But Brehanu argues the Marrakesh Treaty is not considered in the amendment, as the treaty is not the law of the country.

“But when it becomes the law, there might be a need for more amendments,” Brehanu explains.

The proclamation also discusses the issue of works without masters. The length of time a work is protected for a specific kind of work is for the lifetime of the right-holder and an additional 50 years after he or she dies. The 50-year period begins from the beginning of the following January after their death. Royalty collected from such works is to be collected by the Society and is to be reinvested in the protection of copyright and related works, the Proclamation declares.

Punishment on the transgression of the rights was five to 10 years of imprisonment if it is made intentionally; and if the transgression is made in negligence, the guilty party will be punished by one to five years of imprisonment. But considering the low deterrent effect it would have, the punishment was improved to have a 5,000 to 25,000 Br penalty for negligent transgressions. And for intentional transgressions, there is a 25,000 to 50,000 Br penalty.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/govt-strengthens-copyright-proclamation-for-right-holders/


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Cereal productivity in Tigray reaches 28 quintal per hectare

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Sustainable follow up and capacity building provisions has enhanced the productivity of cereal, which mounted to 28 quintal per hectare from 26.6 the same period last year, Tigray Region Agriculture and Development Office said.

Crop Development and Soil Fertility coordinator Solomon Hailu told WIC that the continues capacity building and development army building efforts exerted by the Regional State have enhanced productivity.

Following continues capacity building offered to farmers, 45 million quintal compost, 62 thousand quintal modern fertilizer and 178 thousand quintal selected seed have used.

According to the coordinator, 35.3 million quintals of cereal was harvested from 1.3 million hectares of land.

According to Solomon, during the assessment program 40.8 million quintals of crop is targeted to harvest but the assessment shows that 46 quintals of cereal from 1.3 million hectare of land will be harvest.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16235-cereal-productivity-in-tigray-reaches-28-quintal-per-hectare-

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Netafim in Ethiopian talks to sell $200m irrigation systems

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Ethiopian farmers

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Irit Avissar and Ron Stein

A consortium of Israel financial institutions is providing financing for an Ethiopian government company.

Drip irrigation technology company Netafim Ltd. is in advanced negotiations for a $190-200 million deal to supply pumping and underground drip irrigation systems for sugar cane to an Ethiopian government company. A consortium of Israel financial institutions, headed by Bank Hapoalim (TASE: POLI), is providing financing for the Ethiopian company.
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The project is complex, and its terms, including the financing question, have not yet been finally closed. Netafim, managed by CEO Ran Meidan, is carrying out the work in Ethiopia in cooperation with Global Africa Industries, owned and managed by Itai Terner. In addition to the complex deal itself, one of the interesting things about it concerns the question of financing. The bank’s customer is Netafim, but the party receiving credit from the bank is an Ethiopian company controlled by the Ethiopian local government, with the money being paid to Netafim as payment for the project. The finance transaction is a complicated scheme called buyer credit, in which the bank is actually financing the company receiving services from its customer. Credit granted to an Ethiopian company, however, is considered high-risk credit, because it involves a company operating in a country defined as an emerging market, and which does not have large foreign currency reserves. This loan is therefore designed to be secured through a credit insurance company. The parties have apparently not yet settled the question of the insurance, and it has not yet been determined whether the party providing it will be the government credit insurance company or a foreign credit insurance company.

The advantage of the deal for Bank Hapoalim is that the risk is being transferred to the credit insurance company (these companies have high debt and financial strength ratings), which means that Bank Hapoalim’s risk is determined by the credit risk of the insurance company insuring the loan, which is low, rather than by the Ethiopian company’s risk.

Quite a big deal

The negotiations for putting together a financing package have reached an advanced stage, although they have not yet been finally approved. The deal is a rather large one, and the bank is therefore expected to recruit other financial institutions to take part in it, apparently mainly foreign institutions specializing in this type of transactions. Bank Hapoalim is also providing credit to Netafim directly through a consortium that includes Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (TASE: CLIS), Harel Insurance Investments and Financial Services Ltd. (TASE: HARL), Amitim (the older pension funds for which an arrangement has been made), Mizrahi Tefahot Bank (TASE:MZTF), Israel Discount Bank (TASE: DSCT), Union Bank of Israel (TASE: UNON), and HSBC. Some of these institutions may also participate in financing this contract.

Netafim, controlled by the Permira private equity fund, uses drip irrigation that saves water and reduces erosion and soil exhaustion. Netafim exports $800 million annually. The company has 16 plants in 11 countries, and 13 of its plants are outside of Israel. The company has 4,000 employees.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-netafim-in-ethiopian-talks-to-sell-$200m-irrigation-systems-1000967346


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Addis Ababa, Agriculture, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Investment, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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01 December 2014 News Round-Up

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China-Ethiopia relations: an excellent model for South-South cooperation

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China and Ethiopia have strengthened their bilateral relations, which be an excellent model for South-South cooperation, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China said.

Fifty years ago, the first Premier of the New China, Zhou Enlai, visited Ethiopia during his first trip to Africa. He was warmly welcomed by the Ethiopian Government and people, and his visit provided a fresh start to friendly China-Ethiopia relations. Fifty years later, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his first visit as President to Africa, made a point of arranging a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also chose Ethiopia as the start of his first trip to Africa as Premier. China and Ethiopia have, indeed, attached great importance to the development of bilateral relations. They regard each other as offering priorities for strategic foreign policy choices.

Ethiopia and China are both heirs of ancient civilizations and fifty years may only be a short phase in our long histories, but the fruitful achievements those years have given China-Ethiopia relations is something our two peoples can be proud of and cherish.

China and Ethiopia are natural partners. In the past we have both suffered foreign invasion and shared the same feelings towards invaders. We both follow an independent foreign policy and share the belief that development is the top priority for national renaissance. We have provided mutual support on major issues concerning each other’s core interests, and have shared ideas, learnt from each other’s experiences of governance and explored the paths of development suitable for our repective national conditions. Indeed, on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, China and Ethiopia have developed multi-dimensional relations, with people-to-people, business-to-business, government-to-government and party-to-party relations as the cornerstones of the relationship. We are sincere friends, reliable partners and good brothers, sharing both happiness and adversity, rejoicing in successes that the other has achieved. In a nutshell, China-Ethiopian relations have become a real and excellent model for South-South Cooperation.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1970, and even more following the start of the Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership in 2003, China-Ethiopia relations have developed rapidly. They have now reached their highest qualitative level. The leaders of the two countries have established close working relations and a personal friendship. Last year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn met twice on different occasions. Prime Minister Hailemariam paid a very successful visit to China last year and in the same year there were also the visits of the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister to China and of two Chinese Vice-Premiers to Ethiopia. The fruitful official visit by Premier Li Keqiang to Ethiopia in May this year and the successful state visit by President Mulatu Teshome to China in July also injected strong momentum into the continued development of our bilateral relations.

This has been apparent in many areas. Between 2003 and 2013, the yearly volume of bilateral trade between China and Ethiopia increased by more than 13 times. China has become the biggest foreign investor and the largest trading partner of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is now one of the main markets in Africa for Chinese products, equipment, technology and investment. Since 2006, China, through various mechanisms, has provided a large amount of financial support for the construction of a number of Ethiopia’s mega projects. These include the first Express Toll Way and the first operative Wind Power Plant, the Addis Ababa Light Track Railway and other modern railways developments as well as the Tirunesh-Beijing Hospital and the Confucius Institute. They are vivid illustrations of our fruitful and comprehensive relationship.

On the international plane, China and Ethiopia work very closely to address global challenges including climate change, food insecurity, poverty and regional conflicts as well as the promotion of China-Africa relations within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC), and in safeguarding the interests of developing countries generally.

Within the context of globalization, China unwaveringly pursues its “Chinese Dream” and has been deepening the comprehensive reforms involved in this. Ethiopia similarly is committed to its Ethiopian Renaissance, to fulfill its five-year Growth and Transformation Plan and achieve its Vision 2025 to become a middle income country. China is now the second largest economy in the world; and Ethiopia is emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and the world. Given our complementary needs, both countries are looking forward to greater opportunities of in-depth cooperation, and we will be expanding bilateral relations in a number of areas.

In the first place, we will be maintaining the momentum of high level exchanges as the driving force for deepening and upgrading our relationship. Secondly, we will continue to deepen cooperation in infrastructure construction and in the development of industry, establishing more special economic zones. For China, Ethiopia is a potentially large market and an important investment destination; for Ethiopia, China is a major source for the transfer of industrial capacity and technology. We will not only be able to improve the infrastructure facilities in Ethiopia, but we will also work together for regional connectivity, including establishment of transportation networks, electricity and telecommunication links. Thirdly, the two countries will be able to tap into the great potential for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and mining and energy, especially green, clean, sustainable energy, and upgrade our cooperation to a fully-fledged strategic partnership. In the fourth place, we will be promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and a Chinese Cultural Center will soon be established in Ethiopia, enhancing mutual understanding between our two peoples, and promoting the knowledge of our impressive and important civilizations. Fifthly, we will continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation on international issues and promote China-Africa relations healthfully and steadily through our joint efforts. We will continue to make new contributions to maintaining the peace, stability and prosperity of Africa and the world, and promote the establishment of a new, more rational and fairer international political and economic order. We will contribute towards the realization of the goal of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.

China and Ethiopia will continue to join hands to bring about an expanded and upgraded model of bilateral relations. We have no doubt, the China-Ethiopia relationship will certainly benefit and provide a brighter future for both our peoples and for us all.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/editors-pick/16328-china-ethiopia-relations-an-excellent-model-for-south-south-cooperation

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Ethiopia issues USD 1 billion sovereign bond

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Ethiopia issues USD 1 billion sovereign bond

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Following the decision that was passed by the Government of Ethiopia to dip into the international money market, it announced to investors on Wednesday that it has issued a sovereign bond amounting one billion dollar, sources told The Reporter.

Sources also disclosed that the sovereign bond that Ethiopia offered for the first time is revealed to investors in London, where the team is also scheduled to travel other European cities and the US to make the offer known to investors there. According to sources, the certificates offer six to seven percent interest rates with a maturity date of ten years.

High-level delegation led by Sufian Ahmed, minister of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), including Teklewold Atnafu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Fisseha Abera, International Financial Institutions Cooperation Directorate Director at MoFED, Wasihun Abate, Director of Legal Division at MoFED and Mezgebu Ameha, Macro-economy Policy and Management Directorate Director have traveled to Europe for this purpose.

The move was expected after the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HPR) discussed in a closed session and gave the responsibility to MoFED to issue a sovereign bond.

Though The Reporter approached Ahmed Shide, state minister of MoFED, on the event of the signing ceremony of a loan agreements between the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank and African Development Bank, he declined to disclose the amount of the bond issued in London. However, he did say that “the interest rate that the bond got was quite reasonable.” According to the state minister this is mainly because the bonds were offered at the right time.

The move to issue an international sovereign bond came after Ethiopia got a B+ rating by renowned credit rating agencies in May 2014 namely, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. Last month MoFED selected J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank Group from America and Germany, respectively, to organize and facilitate meetings with potential investors with Ethiopian delegation across Europe and the US.

Sources also said that the delegation will conclude its tour next week in the US and they are expected to reveal the amount they were able to sell to investors.

Redwan Hussein, head of Government Communication Affairs Office with a ministerial portfolio, while briefing local journalist two weeks ago said that the foreign currency that would be obtained from the sales of sovereign bonds will be used to finance mega government projects which are grappling with severe hard currency shortage.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2843-ethiopia-issues-usd-1-billion-sovereign-bond

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Ibdar Bank’s landmark USD 100 million lease agreement with Ethiopian Airlines pays first dividend

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Manama – Bahrain-based Islamic Investment bank, Ibdar Bank successfully concludes the structuring of a 12-year agreement expiring in 2026 for acquiring four brand new Bombardier Q400 Next Gen aircrafts and leasing them to the Ethiopian Airlines.

The deal that was structured under a joint venture with Dubai-based operating lessor Palma Holding, marked the first ever Sharia-compliant transaction in Africa’s aviation sector. The agreement includes options for an additional four Q400 NextGen aircraft, which Ibdar Bank intends to exercise in the near future.

The announcement was made yesterday during a press conference by the recently joined, Mr. Basel Al-Hag-Issa, Chief Executive Officer of Ibdar Bank, who highlighted that the Bank has received its first dividend from the Ethiopian Airlines following this milestone transaction .

Valued at USD 100 million, Ibdar Bank contributed as investor with USD 22 million, while an amount of USD 78 million was secured through a funding agreement with Canada’s Export Credit Agency “EDC”, the export finance agency of Canada.

The Aircrafts, equipped with two engines each, have been delivered over a period of three months, with the first Aircraft delivered on 19 June 2014 and the last Aircraft was delivered on 29 August 2014.

“This opportunity comes at a time when Ethiopian Airlines, an award winning African airline with strong financial and operating track record, is embarking on an ambitious fleet expansion program amidst strong growth in African air travel,” said Mr. Al-Hag-Issa. Adding that the aviation industry in Africa and the MENA markets continue to report some of the strongest growth rates of any region.

Mr. Al-Hag-Issa said that Ibdar Bank is providing select investors with the opportunity to acquire an indirect stake in the four Bombardier Q400 NEXTGEN Aircraft. Investors can expect to receive returns of 10% cash yield per annum, payable on a quarterly basis.

For Ibdar, this is its second aircraft leasing transaction. The first was concluded with Emirates Airline in 2011 whereby the Bank acquired a Boeing 777-200ER from Emirates and leased it back to the airline for a fixed six year-term. The Bank also participated in a syndicated financing facility of USD five million for the Bahrain-based carrier Gulf Air in 2009, which has been fully repaid.

Mr. Al-Hag-Issa pointed that Ibdar is focused on originating new and innovative transactions that allow the Bank and its partners to excel. “We have a strong pipeline of opportunities in other sectors where equally we intend to build on growth in consumer patterns across our markets of focus and in industries where we have the experience and know-how to deliver solid returns,” he said.

Ibdar Bank is active in private equity in the GCC and MENA markets, in regional and global real estate and has extensive experience in sectors including infrastructure, oil & gas, maritime and retail, among others.

In addition to financing and leasing in the aviation sector, Ibdar is focused on originating new and innovative transactions that allow the Bank and its partners to excel. We have a strong pipeline of opportunities in other sectors where equally we intend to build on growth in consumer patterns across our markets of focus and in industries where we have the experience and knowledge to deliver solid returns.

 

https://www.zawya.com/story/Ibdar_Banks_landmark_USD_100_million_lease_agreement_with_Ethiopian_Airlines_pays_first_dividend-ZAWYA20141201090006/

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Sub-Saharan Africa face decline in soil fertility

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Ethiopia land grabbing

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Empirical assessment of Sub-Saharan Africa’s soil fertility has confirmed that the region faces a significant decline in soil fertility, which could further aggravate food insecurity if no appropriate action is taken. 

The finding of the assessment has been the point of discussion at a regional workshop, conducted in Nairobi, Kenya last week. The workshop, with a theme “Advancing Integrated Soil and Water Management for Climate-Adapted Land Use in Low-Fertility Areas of Sub- Saharan Africa”, was organized by the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), in partnership with the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), World Agro forestry Centre (ICRAF) and Technische Universitat Dresden, Germany.

An initial mapping study was conducted to review the current condition of soil and land use management in different African countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique in order to facilitate the discussion at the workshop.

The objective of the workshop was to discuss and develop a joint research project across the Sub-Saharan African region to help mitigation of impact of climate change on soil fertility.

Reflecting on the assessment reports, Effiom Oku (PhD), Senior Research Fellow of UNU-INRA, confirmed that decline in soil fertility and erosion, water scarcity, and inappropriate farming practices are part of the major challenges hindering food production in the region.

“Results from the mapping assessment serve as a testimony that majority of countries in Africa need an extensive monitoring program to determine the impact of climate change on soil fertility, soil moisture and land degradation” he said.

Oku also noted that, in a region like sub Sahara, where large number of the population depends on agriculture, a decline in soil fertility and land degradation farming activities would have a significant repercussion on food security.

UNU-INRA, whose focus is enhancing the capacity of African researchers and institutions in natural resources management, is optimistic that the final outcome from the joint regional research project would produce substantial climate adaptive measures that can mitigate the effect of climate change on soil fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Among organizations represented at the workshop are Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Environment Program, Mekelle University,University of Botswana, University of Namibia, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Sokoine  University of Agriculture in Tanzania, Bayero University in Nigeria, Eduado Mondlane University in Mozambique, and International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Research findings show that Ethiopia’s soil is deficient in essential nutrients. Similarly, according to the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, low soil fertility and crop nutrient imbalances are major challenges of agricultural production in Ethiopia. Thus to help tackle this, the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency has identified a set of soil fertility management interventions, such as new fertilizer formulations and new agronomic management practices and these interventions expected to be practical in the near-term.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2838-sub-saharan-africa-face-decline-in-soil-fertility

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Sheep leather to become the new Ethiopian brand

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Sheep leather to become the new Ethiopian brand

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Dubbed as champion product approach, Ethiopia is set to brand its leather and leather products made of sheep skin to Japanese market and beyond.  

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Sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the champion product approach movement is something which is said to seek and improve Ethiopia’s image and brand the country’s finest sheep leather and finished leather products abroad.

Noriyuki Nagai, one of the four consultants hired by JICA to undertake the job of championing sheep leather to become a brand product, told The Reporter that the short term target of the champion product approach is to introduce Ethiopia’s hi-end sheep leather and leather goods to the Japanese market.

To that end, stakeholders held the second phase of the champion product approach meeting on Thursday at Harmony Hotel located behind Edna Mall. The second phase meeting deliberated on branding issues such as logo and motto, which are expected to be finalized early 2016.

Among the candidate sectors and products which the project looked at, sheep leather has become the alternative product to go with, Nagai said. “Ethiopian coffee beans exist in Japanese market. Hence, there is no way to brand coffee there. We are trying to promote sheep leather after we have checked out that the feasibility and the potential to supply the Japanese market and others,” he said.

Kimiaki Jin, chief representative of JICA Ethiopia office, said that the sheep leather has been chosen to represent Ethiopia as a new branded product for the Japanese market due to its the accessibility because of the country’s huge potential.

According to Fistum Arega, director general of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), the branding and improving the country’s image via the sheep leather is where the government is gearing up towards.

EIC coordinates the branding project with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Leather Industry Development Institute, Ethiopian Leather Industries Association and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association also taking part.

Currently, branding Ethiopia’s sheep leather project has involved three local businesses which are said to be “partner companies”.  Leather Exotica and Enzi and ELICO Awash Tannery are the local firms which are selected for the champion product project due to their designing and production qualities respectively, according to the consultants.

Fistum said that the branding project will be scaled up further to the mass production stage after succeeding on market penetration and image building tasks. According to Fistum, champion product approach has been successful in countries like Indonesia where they had become the famous producers of Indomie noodles worldwide. He also recalled that the Office of the Prime Minister of Japan has recently sponsored the promotion of Kaizen – a renowned Japanese management philosophy to improve productivity and quality – and how the philosophy has become the norm of the manufacturing sector in Ethiopia.

Currently, Ethiopia has three coffee brands internationally recognized after years of relentless battle with international giants like Starbucks. The fine coffees of Harar, Yirgachefe and Sidama are registered as trademarks of Ethiopia.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2836-sheep-leather-to-become-the-new-ethiopian-brand

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Gov’t contemplates beefing up investment commission

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The recently-restructured Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) is anticipated to oversee two essential government activities, industry zone management and export promotion, which are considered to be critical for the transformation of the country to industrialization.

According The Reporter’s sources, the commission is set to bring under its wings  the industrial zones development corporation of the Ministry of Industry and Export Promotion Directorate General which was under the Ministry of Trade. Sources also said that these two government offices have been prioritized by the government to scale-up Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) activities and the export earnings of the country. Most of the FDIs coming to Ethiopia are preferred to be export-oriented. Hence, the Office of the Prime Minister is considering the commission to be best suited to manage these two governmental agencies, sources said.

Getahun Negash, public relations officer of the EIC, confirmed to the The Reporter that there are certain moves to muscle up EIC, but said that there are no official assignments given to the commission so far. Attempts made by The Reporter to get a response from the Office of the Prime Minister to further explain and comment as to why such the restructuring was required was unsuccessful.

The House of Peoples’ Representatives has amended the proclamation which constituted the EIC a few months back. The amended proclamation (Proclamation No. 849/2014) stated that Industrial Zone Development Corporation, a body that is assigned to oversee the development of industrial parks in Ethiopia, will be under the investment board, which is also a supervisory body to EIC and is chaired by Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn. However, the recent move, according to sources, is intended to give more functioning power to EIC.

Similarly, the Ministry of Trade, which three years ago was part and parcel of the Ministry of Industry, was heading the export promotion directorate general. Sisay Gemechu, state minister of Industry was appointed in 2013 to head the industrial zones development.

The definition of the industry zone further elaborated to include the development of urban centers, special economic zones, industrial parks, technology parks, export processing zones, free trade zones and the likes which are to be designated by the investment board. The previous proclamation was contained to define industrial development zone as it is “an area with distinct boundary designed by the appropriate organ to develop identical, similar and interrelated industries together or to develop multi-faceted industries based on a plan fulfilling infrastructures such as road, electric power, and water and having incentive schemes with purposes containing industrial development, mitigating the impacts of environmental pollution as administering urban areas with plan and system”, it stated. Besides the industrial development zones are to be developed either by the government, by the joint venture with the private sector or by the private sector alone.

The export promotion directorate general on the other hand, led by Assefa Mulugeta, has also been restructured recently to oversee both agricultural and manufactured commodities of the country and to seek ways which would promote the exports of the country.

The recent commitment of USD 250 by World Bank to finance the state-owned two-phased Bole Lemi Industrial zone has encouraged 22 factory units to come to Ethiopia. Among the stationed factories, the Taiwanese, Hong Kongese and South Koreans are some worth mentioning.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2833-govt-contemplates-beefing-up-investment-commission

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Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Agriculture, Business, China, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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03 December 2014 Business News (UPDATED)

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Ethiopia’s bond offering rated by Moody’s and S&P

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Moody’s has assigned a provisional (P)B1 rating to Ethiopia’s upcoming dollar-denominated bond offering, while Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has assigned it a ‘B’ rating.

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The bond, Ethiopia’s first issuance in international markets, will fund Government capital expenditures, including development of the sugar and energy industries and general budgetary expenses, S&P said.

Moody’s rating of the bond is aligned with the country’s long-term issuer rating of B1, assigned for Ethiopia’s favourable long-term growth prospects and the near-term fiscal outlook.

“While Ethiopia’s per capita GDP income is rising quickly and growth prospects remain favourable thanks to government investments toward the development of infrastructure, its economy remains small, with low per capita income and substantial reliance on the volatile agricultural sector. The latter represents almost half of gross value added and is susceptible to poor harvest outcomes due to extended periods of drought,” Moody’s said.

Assets in Ethiopia are highly concentrated in state-owned banks, with three public banks accounting for 73 per cent of total assets—the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia dominated the sector in 2013 with 63 per cent of total assets, Moody’s reports. However the banks are well-capitalised and the Government has low liquidity risk at present.

“The weakness of Ethiopia’s institutions remains a challenge, with a mixed monetary policy track-record as the country struggles to contain volatile and elevated inflation rates, averaging 16.7% per annum over the past decade. On a positive note, the government’s five-year plans show policy continuity and the administration shows a track-record of fulfilling or even outperforming the plans’ targets,” Moody’s added.

Another key risk to Ethiopia’s economic forecasts remains its geopolitical position, as it is landlocked and surrounded by more volatile countries that could threaten its stability.

Both ratings services said that they will review the rating following the bond’s issuance.

http://www.cpifinancial.net/news/category/markets/post/29241/ethiopias-bond-offering-rated-by-moodys-and-s-p

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Africa’s Infrastructure Proving Attractive For Local, Global Investors

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VENTURES AFRICA – Africa’s infrastructure deficit unveils an array of opportunities for investments, and these opportunities are been snapped up both by local and global investors. By 2025, the amount of money spent on infrastructure in the Africa is projected to reach $180 billion per annum, according to a new report by PwC.

“The shallow economic recovery in most developed markets has shifted the focus to faster-growing regions. This is also true for the infrastructure development sector,” said Jonathan Cawood, Capital Projects & Infrastructure Leader for PwC Africa.

Cawood noted that the continent’s abundance of natural resources and recent mineral, oil and gas discoveries, demographic and political shifts, as well as a more investor-friendly environment has beamed investor spotlight on Africa.

In the survey for the report titled ‘Capital Projects & infrastructure in East Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa,more than half of respondents indicated that their planned spending on infrastructure – both new projects and refurbishment of assets – would increase by more than 25 percent from the previous year. They said much of their spending would be focused on new development – 51 percent of all respondents planning to spend more than half of their budgets on new assets. 58 percent of respondents from West Africa are planning to increase their spending on infrastructure by more than 25 percent, followed by those in East Africa (53 percent) and Southern Africa (40 percent).

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By 2025, the amount of money spent on infrastructure in the Africa is projected to reach $180 billion per annum

Interviews were conducted among 95 key players in the infrastructure sector, including development finance institutions, private financiers, government organisations and private construction and operations companies across East, West and Southern Africa. The sectors surveyed included water, transport and logistics, energy, mining, telecoms, and real estate, with the main focus being on economic infrastructure.

“While respondents are clearly committed and optimistic about the continent’s infrastructure development, there are a number of obstacles they recognise must be dealt with,” says Cawood.

He noted that resolving these quickly and creatively will attract other project developers, owners and investors to enter the African market.

Many projects across sub-Saharan Africa have been affected by the lack of funding or insufficient funding, the report notes, stressing that funding from sources such as sovereign wealth funds, bonds and pensions funds is becoming increasingly important. It however notes that these types of investors are typically more interested in projects that are fully operational and tend to shy away from greenfield projects and their construction risks.

The continent’s resource wealth have been enticing some of these investors such as China, Japan, India and other Asian countries whose investments in infrastructure in Africa is linked to one resource or the other. Local players are also increasing investments.

Interviews were conducted among 95 key players in the infrastructure sector across East, West and Southern Africa. The sectors surveyed included water, transport and logistics, energy, mining, telecoms, and real estate, with the main focus being on economic infrastructure. The report highlighted the different stages of development and uniqueness of each country and provides insights into the world of infrastructure delivery across African countries and regions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

More respondents in Southern Africa than other regions expect projects to be fully funded internally or through government funding, the report notes, while those in East and West Africa are counting on a mix of private-sector and government financing.

“The need to improve infrastructure to drive economic development is undisputed. The survey makes it clear that the availability of funding is a common and critical challenge,” said Mohale Masithela, PwC Partner in Capital Projects & Infrastructure Financing.

Mohale however notes that private capital does not track needs, it tracks opportunities. Therefore, to ensure the need for infrastructure to be viewed as an opportunity to provide capital by funders, some of the other challenges identified in the survey such as political risk, policy and regulatory clarity and the availability of appropriately skilled resources must be addressed.”

The report notes that South Africa and Nigeria have the most ambitious infrastructure programmes and together make up almost 60 percent of the money spent on infrasture across SSA. Kenya follows as the third largest in planned spend. Transport and Utilities (including power/energy and water) will account for approximately 70 percent of this spend in Southern Africa.

Having suggested ways by which the continent’s infrastructural needs can be addressed, Cawood notes that infrastructure plays a crucial role in economic growth and poverty reduction, with a 5-25 percent per annum return on investment as an economic multiplier.

He noted that countries that have been most successful in developing and maintaining infrastructure have established programmes of prioritised investment opportunities with a number of features, including clear political support, a proper legal and regulatory structure, a procurement framework that can be understood by both procurers and bidders, and credible project timetables.

http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/12/africas-infrastructure-proving-attractive-for-local-global-investors/

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Saudi Billionaire to Invest $100 Million in Ethiopian Rice Farm

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By William Davison December 02, 2014

Employees of Saudi Star rice farm work in a paddy in Gambella. Photographer: Jenny Vaughan/AFP via Getty Images

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Saudi Star Agricultural Development Plc, an Ethiopian company owned by billionaire Mohamed al-Amoudi, said it plans to invest $100 million in a rice farm in western Ethiopia next year to kick-start its stalled project.

The company leased 10,000 hectares (24,711 acres) in the Abobo district in the Gambella region, where it’s based, in 2008 and bought the 4,000-hectare Abobo Agricultural Development Enterprise from the government 18 months ago for 80 million birr ($4 million). After delays caused by unsuitable irrigation design and contractor performance issues, Saudi Star wants to accelerate work in 2015 after a change of management, a redesign of the farm and a successful trial of rain-fed rice on 2,000 hectares at the formerly government-owned, Chief Executive Officer Jemal Ahmed said in a phone interview.

“We have a very aggressive plan,” he said on Nov. 26 from Jimma, about 260 kilometers (162 miles) southwest of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. “If we’re able to do that we’ll be able to produce more.”

The project is part of a government plan formalized in 2010 to establish commercial farms on 3.3 million hectares of fertile land in sparsely populated parts of the country such as Gambella. Ethiopia expected to earn $6.6 billion a year from agriculture exports in 2015, according to a five-year economic plan published in 2010, though total goods exports last fiscal year brought in $3.3 billion.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said in October 2013 that progress on the program had been “very slow.”

Billionaire Investor

Ethiopia-born al-Amoudi is worth $8.1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which ranks him as the world’s 157th richest person. His company built underground oil-storage facilities in Saudi Arabia and he owns Preem AB, Sweden’s largest crude oil refiner. Al-Amoudi is increasingly investing in formerly government-owned farms in Ethiopia, a nation where companies under his Midroc group operate the only commercial gold mine and built the largest cement plant in 2011.

Saudi Star’s $100 million investment will focus primarily on building irrigation infrastructure, including finishing the main canal from the more than 25-year-old Alwero Dam built by Soviet engineers, as well as a rice de-husking plant, storage silos and land clearing, according to Jemal.

An initial plan to have the farm divided into 3.75-hectare plots to produce rice from submerged paddy fields has been shelved as unworkable, he said. Only 350 hectares has been developed since 2008 on the land leased for 300,000 Ethiopian birr ($14,908) a year.

Economically Unviable

“It was not environmentally and economically viable, that’s why they were struggling, so we stopped that,” Jemal said. “We want to make it large-scale flood irrigation, not small ponds.”

Saudi Star’s revenue is forecast to be about $60 million in 2016 once the irrigation system is developed, with 60 percent of the aromatic rice exported mainly to Arab nations on the Persian Gulf, Jemal said.

Hampering current harvesting are late rains and, for two days in October, unrest in Abobo town after violence between ethnic Anuak, who are indigenous to Gambella, and other Ethiopians. The company has Ethiopian soldiers guarding its compound and about 100 stationed nearby. Two Pakistanis and three Ethiopians employed by Ghulam Rasool & Co., a closely held Pakistani engineering company building the irrigation canal, died in April 2012 after an attack by a group of gunmen.

The government has “taken care” of security issues, farm manager Bedilu Abera said while seated in one of the air-conditioned trailers that are now Saudi Star’s headquarters after they were moved from Addis Ababa.

Land Conflict

Anywaa Survival Organization, a Reading, U.K.-based rights group, said in an Oct. 14 statement that land leases in Gambella have fueled conflict.

“The rush for land, water and other essential natural resources has become a curse for indigenous and minority peoples who barely have legal protection and redress,” it said.

Saudi Star says only two Anuak villages of huts with sweeping grass roofs lie just outside the project’s boundaries in deep forest. Some local residents complain they’ve not benefited from the investment and that they suffer collective punishment by the military.

“They used to kill people from the village,” Akea Ojullo, a 27-year old teacher, said in a Nov. 23 interview in Perbong village. “It got worse after the attack on Saudi Star,” he said.

The company plans to work with local residents by investing in workers, distributing rice and plowing land for them. “We know we’re creating job opportunities, transforming skills, training local indigenous Anuak, but there’s a campaign to have people perceive it as a wrong project,” Jemal said.

The farm still has the backing of officials, even though progress has been slow, Jemal said.

“The government wants the project to be a success and see more Gambella people be able to work and produce more,” he said. “That’s the big hope.”

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-02/saudi-billionaire-to-invest-100-million-in-ethiopian-rice-farm

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Ethiopia, Icelander firm negotiate geothermal power generation

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Ethiopia, Icelander firm negotiate geothermal power generation

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The Ethiopian government and Reykjavik, a joint venture of U.S.-Icelandic geothermal development company, are negotiating on a detailed power purchase agreement to generate geothermal energy, an Ethiopian spokesperson has said.

“The negotiation is expected to be finalized by December 2014,” Bizuneh Tolcha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Water, Energy and Irrigation, told The Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

Reykjavik will generate the geothermal power in Ethiopia’s rift valley region, 200 kilometers south of Addis Ababa and supply the power to the national grid.

The negotiation focuses on the mode of power provision and sell.

“So far the construction of access roads and camps is undertaken in the area, where the geothermal plant will be built,” Tolcha said.

The project, which will be undertaken in two phases within eight to 10 years, is expected to generate 20 megawatts in 2016 and 500 megawatts in 2018, he said.

The two sides had agreed to generate 1000 megawatt geothermal energy with an estimated $4 billion.

Ethiopia has the potentials to generate more than 7,000 megawatt geothermal energy.

http://www.portturkey.com/energy/7479-ethiopia-icelander-firm-negotiate-geothermal-power-generation

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Gov’t Reviews $1.4b Petrol Pipeline Proposal

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- The project would take two years to complete

Ethiopia’s government is going over a proposed project to build a petroleum pipe-line from the Port of Djibouti, which could cost 1.4 billion dollars and take two years to construct.

The news was disclosed during the “Powering Africa: Ethiopia Meeting,” which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, on November 21, 2014. The meeting was organised by the UK-based company Energy Net Ltd, which “organises a global portfolio of investment meetings, conferences and energy forums, focused specifically on the power and industrial sectors across Africa,” according to its website.

Officials at the Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy (MoWIE), confirmed that the proposal had been submitted and they would look at it before deciding to discuss it further with other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development (MoFED), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), and Ministry of Transport (MoT).

The proposal was made by Black Rhino Group and MOGS (Mining, Oil & Gas Services). Black Rhino Group is owned by Blackstone, a large Wall Street private equity fund, and MOGS is owned by Royal Bafokeng Holdings, a South African investment group.

Brian Herlihy, CEO and founder of Black Rhino, made a presentation of the proposal at the Powering Africa meeting.

The companies are proposing building around 550Km of pipeline, carrying oil directly from the vessels at the port to a storage facility in Awash, by-passing the congested port and road from Djibouti. The trucks would then distribute fuel from Awash to the rest of the country, including Addis Abeba.

The proposal was submitted six months ago to the governments of Ethiopia and Djibouti. The government of Djibouti was happy, Brian said. If the Ethiopian government gives a green light to the project the company will proceed to study the environmental and engineering condition of the construction, according to Brian.

The Djibouti government has told Black Rhino and MOGS that the current port infrastructure is not big enough to meet Ethiopia’s long term needs. Currently, the demand for refined fuels in Ethiopia is growing at 10pc a year.

The project is expected to reduce the supply problem caused by truck shortages, as well as reduce the cost of transport.

Using trucks for oil transport is very expensive, not the least of which is because of the fuel consumption by the trucks themselves, says Demelash Alamaw, assistant to chief executive at Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE).

Last year Ethiopian Petroleum Supply imported 2.6 million tonnes of fuel. On the current budget year it has plans to import 2.9 million tonnes, according to the EPSE. As demand for petroleum grew by an average 10pc, an expert in petroleum logistics says that the transport supply has not grown accordingly, suggesting that it is important to use alternative transport.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/govt-reviews-1-4b-petrol-pipeline-proposal/

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Ethiopia ‘a Nation Under Construction’

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Ethiopia  'a Nation Under Construction'

-  Ethiopia plans to build 960,000 houses in the next 10 years, besides thousands of kilometres of roads and railways.

Everywhere you turn in Ethiopia, construction is ongoing — roads, railways, and thousands of houses — all led by the government with local or external funding. What are the short and long-term implications for the private sector?

From thousands of kilometres of railways and highways to mega dams to tens of thousands of partially government-sponsored houses to cobblestone roads, Ethiopia is a nation under-construction.

About a fifth of the 10.3 per cent growth registered in the 2013/14 budget year was attributable to construction activity, according to the World Bank. Over the same period, the total investment rate rose from 32.1 per cent of GDP to 40.3 per cent.

Some $1.5 billion from the $8.5 billion budget of the country this year is earmarked for construction of roads. In addition to the government, there is huge investment by the private sector in real estate.

For the 13th most populous country in the world, with 90 million plus people, of which the majority are young, the huge investments by the government in infrastructure and construction by private sector are the major source of jobs.

Today tens of millions of Ethiopians are working on various construction sites.

“Ethiopia is indeed a nation ‘under construction,’ the construction boom is increasingly supporting economic growth,” said Lars Christian Moller, lead economist and programme leader at the World Bank Ethiopia office, which is currently involved in 25 projects in Ethiopia with $6 billion in commitments, making it the largest country programme in Africa.

Railway

Out of the total 4,744km of railway line the country planned to construct, about 2,000km was built during the first Growth and Transformation Plan period 2010/11-2014/15.

Currently, 50 per cent of the 800km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway is complete while the 700km Mekele-Awash line is set to be launched this year.

While 70 per cent of the cost of the $3 billion Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway is secured from the Chinese government, the remaining is financed by the government. The construction and consulting is being undertaken by Chinese companies CREC and CCECC.

“A $1.7-billion soft loan has been secured from Swiss Bank by Turkish company Yapi Merkez for the construction of the 389km Awash-Weldiya railway,” according to Dereje Tefera, head of communications at the Ethiopian Railway Corporations.

“The electric railway will save Ethiopia hard currency that would have been spent on fuel imports,” Mr Dereje said, adding that 254 professionals including the rail master have already trained in China.

About 80 per cent of the 34km Addis Ababa light railway is completed. A $470 million loan was secured from China’s Eximbank for the project. CREC of China is carrying out the construction while SweRoad of Sweden handled the consulting.

http://www.welkessa.com/ethiopia-nation-construction/

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South African investors urged to use investment opportunities in Ethiopia

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Addis Ababa, 2 December 2014 

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has called on South African investors to utilize the investment opportunities in Ethiopia, a country endowed with vast resource, cheap labor and hard working people.

The call was made at the Ethio-South Africa Investment and Business Forum held today at Elilly International Hotel in the presence of representatives of South African companies from the sectors of construction, banking, infrastructure, manufacturing and agro-processing.

“Now is the time for South African investors to look at the prospect and opportunities of investment in Ethiopia,” MoFA State Minister, Dawano Kedir said while opening the meeting.

Ethiopia has everything that you need to invest, including conducive business and investment environment, political stability, sound economic policies, macro-economic stability, abundant natural resource and a sizable market, he said.

Moreover, the Ethiopian government is developing industrial zone to help companies engage in manufacturing, he said, urging the investors from South Africa to participate in building their own industrial zone.

The Forum will deepen the existing Ethio-South Africa relations to the uppermost levels through fostering strategic economic alliance and solid business and investment partnership, he said.

Representative of South Africa’s biggest winery, on the occasion said that his company has already received 1,000 hectares of land to invest in Ethiopia.

During the day long Forum, other companies have also expressed their interest to engage and exploit the investment opportunities available in Ethiopia.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/editors-pick/16365-south-african-investors-urged-to-use-investment-opportunities-in-ethiopia-

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French Firm to Work on Wind Power Expansion up North

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Vergnet hopes to increase energy generation capacity to up to 40Mw

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French power firm Vergnet Group SA is conducting a feasibility study for the extension of the Ashegoda Wind Farm. The farm will have the capacity of generating 10Mw to 40Mw of electric power in Tirgay Regional State.

The feasibility study started in October 2014 and Lodovic Dehondt, Ashegoda project director for the first phase of the project, said the project was expected to be finalised by January 2015.

Ashegoda is one of 11 sites experts identified in Ethiopia for the potential to generate power from wind, with a total size of 20,000Km² coverage. However, Ashegoda, 20Km south of Meqelle, seat of the regional state, is considered to be the windiest place in the country after Adama (Nazareth), 99Kms east of Addis Abeba in Oromia Regional State.

In 2008, the power utility monopoly, under the defunct Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), had signed a deal with the French firm. The project was launched a year later, at a cost of 210 million Euros.

Vergnet was established in 1976 and employs 700 people. In 2013, it had an annual turnover of 57.5 million Euros and operates in 35 countries. The company installed 900 wind turbines in different countries, including in Nigeria, with a generating capacity of 10Mw, and 4.5Mw in Mauritania.

Vergnet installed 30 turbines, each with a capacity of one megawatt. Altsom, another french firm, installed 54 turbines, each with a capacity for 1.67Mw of electric power.

“After the place we reserved for the wind farm was taken over for the construction of a Civil Aviation training facility, we changed the plan and it was then that Alstom entered discussions,” Lodovic told Fortune.

The wind farm project, billed as the biggest in sub-Saharan Africa, was finalised and inaugurated in October 2013 by Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegne. It has supplied the national grid ever since.

A subsequent agreement has been reached for a study to expand power generation with Alemayehu Tegenu, minister of Water, Irrigation & Energy (MoWIE), and Debretsion Gebremichel, (PhD), minister of Communication and Information Technology with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister, according to Jerome Douat, CEO of Vergnet Group. Debretsion was in Paris two weeks ago, attending a bilateral business delegation between France and Ethiopia.

The agreement was a turnkey contract, also known as Engineering, Procurement and Construction, to be financed with a loan of 210 million Euros from the French Development Agency (AFD), indicating a change in approach of the government of France in providing vendor financing to its companies involved in infrastructural projects abroad.

German-based company Lahmeyer International GmbH has been hired by the government to provide project consultancy services and contract supervision and administration works, sources told Fortune.

A group of experts, including the former project manager of the Ashegoda wind farm, is expected to visit Ethiopia for the feasibility study detail. The project is anticipated to be finalised by the end of 2016 if the procedures work as scheduled.

“We will raise financing from European banks and the AFD,” says Douat.

Ashegoda wind farm is part of the government’s plan, which also includes Adama wind farm, to generate 10,000Mw electric power from water, wind and geothermal sources during the conclusion of its five-year growth plan. From wind sources alone it wants to see 890Mw of electric power generated, including 300Mw from Ayesha, in Somali Regional State, Debre Berhan and Assela, which are set to produce 100Mw each, and Messebo wind farm, with a capacity of 51Mw.

While many of these are still at the drawing board phase, the Adama Wind Farm was completed by Chinese companies, CGCOC Joint Venture and Hydro China, with a 117 million dollar loan of financing from the Export-Import Bank of China. It has a capacity of generating 51Mw electric power.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/french-firm-to-work-on-wind-power-expansion-up-north/

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Ethiopia adopts Israeli day/night solar power system

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Powered primarily by the sun, AORA’s Tulip energy system works 24/7 – even at night and when it’s cloudy

Solar energy is an ideal solution for the power needs of the developing world – except for one problem: It stops working when the sun goes down, at precisely the time power is needed to turn the lights on. The solution, according to Zev Rosenzweig, CEO of Israeli energy technology company AORA, is a hybrid system – one that utilizes solar to the fullest, and supplements it with a “backup” system to keep the power flowing when the sun is not high in the sky, using scant resources, with an operating cost of next to nothing.

It’s perfect for developing countries, said Rosenzweig – and after six years of research and pilot projects, and an investment of $40 million, AORA is ready for prime time, he said.
The company announced Tuesday that it had signed a deal to build one of its Tulip solar-hybrid power plants in Ethiopia. “We are transforming our Green Economy Strategy into action and are pleased to partner with AORA to help achieve our vision,” said Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy for Ethiopia. “AORA’s unique solar-hybrid technology is impressive and well-suited to provide both energy and heat to support local economic development in off-grid rural locations in Ethiopia.”

“Off-grid rural locations” are exactly the places Rosenzweig wants to see more Tulips installed. “Our hybrid system uses both solar power and biogas to operate a turbine, with the hot air moving the turbine to generate electricity.”

Video: Ethiopia adopts Israeli day/night solar power system

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Enhancing the sunlight are a series of mirrors to heat compressed air to over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and drive a turbine. When the sun goes down, the system moves seamlessly from solar to biogas in order to power the turbines, with the biogas derived from animal waste, biodiesel, natural gas – just about any material that can be burned for fuel.

For villages in places like Ethiopia, the best part of the system, said Rosenzweig, is that it doesn’t even need water to operate. In essence, Tulips are like perpetual energy machines; when the sun is out, solar power is converted into power to run the turbines and create electricity; and when the sun is in, the system turns to biogas, created by an AORA conversion system.

There are Tulips in Israel, Spain, and the US, but those are test programs; Ethiopia will be the first country to deploy the system commercially. Construction of the first plant is expected to begin by mid-2015. Following a trial, the Ethiopian ministry intends to expand deployment of AORA installations for rural economic development to off-grid communities in selected areas of the country.

Each Tulip station is small and modular, producing 100kW of electricity in addition to 170kW of heat, while occupying less than 3,500 square meters (0.86 acres), requiring much less land per kWh to generate usable power and heat than other systems, like photovoltaic, said Rosenzweig. “Each Tulip can generate enough electricity for 30-40 homes in Western countries, and should be enough to cover all the power needs of villages in the developing world,” with each system costing between $500,000 and $750,000, depending on size.

The Tulip technology was developed at the Weizmann Institute, and AORA has the worldwide rights to commercialize and distribute it, with Rosenzweig one of the leaders of the research. “I got the idea for this in India, where they lose a lot of their harvest because they have no place to store fruits and vegetables in rural areas,” he said.

Existing solar systems in rural areas could only operate part of the time – not at night, and not during the rainy season – so they weren’t usable for refrigeration, without which produce would start to rot within a few days, long before most of it could get to market. “Electricity can change the lives of people in the developing world, and the Tulip system can provide an effective solution to any community anywhere,” said Rosenzweig.

“We are pleased to partner with the ministry and look forward to bringing our technology to Ethiopia to provide the population with affordable access to power,” added Rosenzweig. “Such access will have significant social and economic impact on off-grid communities, helping to provide power to schools and medical facilities, refrigeration for food processing and post-harvest storage, groundwater pumping and much more.”

http://sodere.com/profiles/blogs/ethiopia-adopts-israeli-day-night-solar-power-system

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First Quarter Brings Profit Bonanza to Telecom Monopoly

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Fiber hacking, fraud stand as prime challenges of ethio telecom as it grosses 3.6b Br in profit

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Ethiopia’s state-owned telecom monopoly has seen first quarter operations bring its books 3.64 billion Br gross profit, from an operating revenue of over five billion Birr. Its profit, described by its corporate communications head, Abdurahim Ahmed, as “remarkable results”, represents an 11pc growth compared to the same period last year.

However, ethio telecom’s operating revenue is five percent short of its plan, yet experienced a 20pc growth in comparison with the same period last year. Of this, about 70pc was earned from mobile services. International call service, data and internet accounts about 10.5pc and 13.3pc of the general revenue, respectively.

Though the report shows increases in profit, the quarter year also witnessed several network malfunctions, upsetting many of its customers who have no other alternative. The company has recently entered into a 1.6 billion dollar service expansion agreement, under a vendor financing scheme with two international companies, Huwaei and ZTE.

Huwaei and ZTE were granted a two year contract dividing the country’s telecom network into 13 zones. However, the Ethiopian government has considered handing ZTE’s contract to Sony Ericsson, a Tokyo based company and a subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

The telecom expansion project contract aims to take the country’s mobile service capacity to 50 million, to expand third generation (3G) technology across the whole country and to provide customers in Addis Abeba with fourth generation (4G) services.

The expansion project is very important in attaining ethio telecom’s objective of increasing telecom service access and coverage across the nation, as well as to upgrade the existing network to the new technology, according to Abdurahim.

“Through the telecom expansion project contracts, ethio telecom will be able to increase its overall network coverage to 85pc across the nation,” Abdurahim said.

Mobile service performance stands at 73.3pc. Data and internet stands at 176pc, while regular call services is at 26.2pc. National telecom coverage is at 81pc and international linkage capacity is at 61.3pc.

In the first quarter of the fiscal year the number of customers jumped to 30.45 million, in comparison with last fiscal year’s ending, which saw 29.36 million customers, a 3.7pc increase. Of this, around 22.5 million are active customers.

In the current fiscal year, the company’s priority areas include the improvement of quality of service and making the telecom expansion project roll-out a success, Abdurahim told Fortune. Repetitive hacking of fiber cable lines and the ever increasing ‘telecom fraud’ have been mentioned as major setbacks for the quarter year.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/first-quarter-brings-profit-bonanza-to-telecom-monopoly/

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 Ethiopia issues unfamiliar investor warning over war and famine

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Javier Blas, Africa Editor

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BARENTU, ERITREA: Ethiopian soldiers pose 19 May 2000 on the road 14km outside Barentu, an Eritrean town that they took 18 May. After taking control of the key town of Barentu, Ethiopia said today it was ready to talk peace with its Horn of Africa neighbour. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO: Alexander Joe (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Every country tapping the global sovereign bond market details the dangers investors face in its prospectus, often in a boilerplate section enumerating possible problems – such as fiscal deficits or taxation issues – that is largely ignored.

But the document sent by Ethiopia to international investors ahead of its foray into the global sovereign bond market is somewhat different. Far from a boilerplate, it includes a list of unfamiliar hazards, such as famine, political tension and war.

The document, seen by the Financial Times, is a sobering reminder of the risk of investing in one of Africa’s less developed nations. With gross domestic product per capita at less than $550 per year, Ethiopia is the poorest country yet to issue global bonds.

In the 108-page prospectus, issued ahead of its expected $1bn bond, Ethiopia tells investors they need to consider the potential resumption of the Eritrea-Ethiopia war, which ended in 2000, although it “does not anticipate future conflict”.

There is also the risk of famine, the “high level of poverty” and strained public finances, as well as the possible, if unlikely, blocking of the country’s only access to the sea through neighbouring Djibouti should relations between the two countries sour.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, also warns that it is ranked close to the bottom of the UN Human Development Index – 173rd out of 187 nations – and cautions about the possibility of political turmoil. “The next general election is due to take place in May 2015 and while the government expects these elections to be peaceful, there is a risk that political tension and unrest . . . may occur.”

But the long list of risks is not deterring investors, as ultra-low interest rates in the US, the UK, eurozone and Japan push sovereign wealth funds and pension funds into riskier countries in search of higher-yielding bonds.

Instead, some investors are focusing on the danger of a currency crisis. Addis Ababa has devalued its currency, the birr, twice over the past five years – by 23.7 per cent in 2010 and 16.5 per cent in 2011 – in an effort to win export competitiveness. Since then, the Ethiopian central bank has managed to slow the currency’s depreciation by intervening regularly in the market.

Addis Ababa has now told potential investors that “it may not be possible for the National Bank of Ethiopia to manage the exchange rate as effectively in the future as it has in the past” because of reduced hard currency reserves.

The country has reserves to cover only 2.2 months’ worth of imports – almost half the 4.3 months it had in 2010-11. “Failure to manage a steadily depreciating exchange rate may adversely affect Ethiopia’s economy . . . [and its] ability to perform obligations under” the bonds, it says.

The prospectus also reveals for the first time details of Ethiopia’s heavy dependence on Chinese loans to finance its infrastructure investment. Credit lines from China and Chinese entities accounted for 42 per cent of all external loan disbursements in 2013-14, and for 69 per cent in 2012-13.

“China has emerged as a key development partner,” the prospectus says, “often providing sizeable financing tied to infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese firms.” Among those, telecoms groups ZTE and Huawei and a company the prospectus names as China Electric Power have lent Ethiopia more than $2bn over the past few years.

Lazard, the investment bank advising Addis Ababa on financial matters, declined to comment. The Ethiopian government did not respond to a request for comment. Investors said the bond was expected to price later this week at between 6 and 7 per cent.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:2XuCbLxNzHUJ:www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c8691100-7a07-11e4-8958-00144feabdc0.html+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us#axzz3KnAXTgk9


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Building Economic Bridges Between Ethiopia and France

 

On Monday November 17, 2014, Patrick Labatut, Alstom Transport’s business development director for Africa, was at the second France Ethiopia Business Forum in Paris. He was looking for an Ethiopian partner for his company which is involved with energy production, grid, railway and transport.

His company has found out that Ethiopia could meet 75pc of its electricity demand from solar power.

“We realised that Ethiopia was a potential for our projects,’’ Labatut told Fortune.

The Forum was organised by UBIFrance and the French embassy in Addis Abeba, as a follow-up to a similar event held in Addis Abeba in December 2013. It was attended by 169 French and 32 Ethiopian companies, similar figure that attended the first event. UBIFrance is the French Agency for the International Business Development and is under the control of the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry.

Official relationship between the two countries dates back to 1897, when the two governments agreed to recognise the border with French Somaliland (later Djibouti) which led them for the construction of the 781Km Ethio-Djibouti railroad.

The two countries signed the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in July 2004. This was aimed to encourage and protect investments and to avoid double taxation. In June 2011 and 2013 the agreement on the partnership framework was renewed for an additional three years.

For the past several years, however, French companies’ presence in Ethiopia has been limited to a stagnant 50, whereas Chinese presence has been growing by leaps and bounds.

The number of Chinese companies operating in Ethiopia reached 124 in the 2013/14 fiscal year. These Chinese companies’ investments at implementation and pre-implementation stage was 2.18 billion Br and 16.5 billion Br, respectively.

The emergence of China in the continent has become a headache for most European countries, including France. This has to led policy makers to focus on a new strategy, named the Economic Diplomacy with Africa, according to an official from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

“This forum is also part of the economic diplomacy,” added this official.

“We believe Africa, especially Ethiopia, is the hub of emerging economic development and we want to regain our position of previous years,” said Matthias Fekl, state minister for French foreign trade, the promotion of tourism and French nationals abroad, in his forum opening speech.

The forum had 23 Ethiopian Business delegates under the umbrella of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECCSA). These private businesses included: Technostyle Plc, General Motors, South West Energy, Bless Agro Processing, and new businesses such as Gratus International Trading Plc and Mazel Trading. State owned companies, including ethio telecom, Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia Electric Power (EEP) and the Metal & Engineering Corporation (MetEC) were also present at the event.

“We realised Africa is the fastest emerging continent and we picked Ethiopia as a major destination for our investment, and organised this forum with the main aim of increasing our economic partnership with Ethiopia,” said Fekl.

Parallel with the decision to organise the event, the French government finances projects in Africa by French companies through the French Development Agency (AFD). In 2014 the Agency allocated an extra 20 million Euros for investment in Africa, mainly on infrastructure development and in the energy sector. The AFD has an annual budget and is working to send French companies to Africa, and Ethiopia, where the economies are growing at 5.5pc and double digits, respectively, Fekl said.

From the total financing of the Agency in 2013 only 113 million Euros was invested in Africa.

“Our main challenge in Ethiopia and Africa is the Chinese undercutting prices on projects. That makes our presence a mere shadow in projects,” said an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Established back in 1941, the AFD has financed 700 projects in 2013, 40pc of which were in Africa, however Asia had the largest number of projects. Projects in Ethiopia financed by the AFD include the 210 million Euro Ashegoda Wind Farm, the 80 million Euro construction and expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, and the five million Euro solid waste disposal project. The Agency provides 20 year loans at an annual interest rate of 1.2pc.

“Currently there are 600 world class international companies in Ethiopia,” said Debretsion Gebremichel (PhD), deputy prime minister of Ethiopia and Finance and Economic cluster Coordinator and minster of Communication and Information Technology. “But there are only 50 French companies in the country, which is too few and should be increased.”

Currently 50 French companies are operating in Ethiopia, including Total, BGI Brewery, Castel Winery, BRL and Masson.

“We want to see French companies in Ethiopia engaging in leather and textile production, agro processing, and chemical industries,” said Debretsion.

But the French companies at the forum were mainly from the energy sector, including geothermal and electricity companies. During the Business-to-Business discussion session some of these companies discussed business challenges with the representatives from the MetEC.

“The French companies at the event were giants compared to the Ethiopian companies, and discussion was mainly with the state-owned enterprises rather than the private companies,” Solomon Afework, president of the ECCSA, told Fortune.

“We do not rush in expecting Ethiopian companies to sign deals with the French companies on this occasion, but we want to have a strong foundation that could lead to further economic and investment relations in the near future,” Debretsion said.

Ethiopia got 2.5 million people out of poverty in the last 10 years, which is why France chose Ethiopia as a major destination for investment, Fekl said. That was followed by a policy decision to support French companies through financing to work on projects in Ethiopia, he added. Until 2011 the AFD had only one office in east Africa, located in Kenya. It has since gone on to add one in Ethiopia. It has also opened another office in Zambia.

“We are seeking more projects to engage in Ethiopia, and we are working on securing the financing from the AFD,” said Jerome Douat, CEO of Vergnet Group, which was also at the Forum.

Labatut and the ministry official share some concerns that investing in Ethiopia is bottlenecked by the bureaucratic process which is difficult for foreign companies to pass through.

Furthermore, the French official claims that Ethiopia has been reluctant to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) for many years, which discourages French companies from investing in Ethiopia. Established in 1995, the WTO has 159 member countries; Ethiopia and 22 other countries have observer status.

“But these all cannot be constraints for our companies to invest in Ethiopia, following our policy decision to penetrate the continent as a destination,” said this official.

Fourteen French companies are already scheduled to visit East Africa including Ethiopia in June 2015 to explore more potential.

Sourced here  http://addisfortune.net/columns/building-economic-bridges-between-ethiopia-and-france/


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05 December 2014 News Round-Up

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Ethiopia eyes record coffee exports

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By Aaron Maasho in Addis Ababa
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The head of Ethiopia’s exporters association says the East African country expects coffee exports for its 2014/15 crop to hit a record high because of drought and disease stifling crops in Latin America.

An unprecedented drought early this year reduced the 2014/15 crop in the world’s biggest coffee producer Brazil.

we are expecting the international market to go up

The International Coffee Organization forecast in September that global coffee production will fall short of demand.

In the four months from July this year, Ethiopia – Africa’s biggest producer of the bean – exported 54,000 tonnes of coffee worth $231.9 million, compared with the $172.5 million it earned from 51,000 tonnes over the same period last year.

Hussein Agraw, chairperson of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters’ Association, said he expected the amount of coffee exported to rise to 235,000 tonnes by the end of 2014/2015, generating $862 million in revenue.

Ethiopia exported around 190,000 tonnes in 2013/14, earning $841 million, he said.

Exports hit a previous record high of 193,000 tonnes the year before, he said.

“We are making these expectations because of the fall in production in Brazil,” he told Reuters.

“Because of this, we are expecting the international market to go up,” Hussein added, referring to demand.

Total coffee production in Ethiopia amounted to 450,000 tonnes over the 2013/14 period, according to official figures.

Officials expect a similar output by the end of 2014/15.

Ethiopia prides itself on being the birthplace of coffee. Some 15 million people are involved in its production, mostly in smallholder farms in the misty forested highlands in the country’s west and southwest.

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopia-eyes-record-coffee-exports.html

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Coffee Exports: Brazil’s Loss Is Ethiopia’s Gain

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VENTURES AFRICA – Ethiopia says it expects coffee exports for its 2014/15 crop to hit a record high because of drought and disease stifling crops in Latin America, Hussein Agraw, the Chairperson of the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters’ Association said on Wednesday.

Brazil, the world’s biggest coffee producer, suffered an unprecedented drought early this year which reduced the 2014/15 harvest and led the International Coffee Organization to forecast in September that global coffee production will fall short of demand.Hussein told Reuters that Brazil’s coffee struggles meant more success for Ethiopia as he expected the international coffee market to go up in demand.
The birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia’s total production of the highly lucrative cash crop over the 2013/14 period amounted to 450,000 tonnes , according to official figures. Officials expect a similar output by the end of 2014/15.Ethiopia exported around 190,000 tonnes in 2013/14, earning $841 million; the year before it hit a record high of 193,000 tonnes. But Hussein said he expects the amount of coffee exported to rise to 235,000 tonnes by the end of 2014/2015, generating $862 million in revenue.

http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/12/cocoa-exports-brazils-loss-is-ethiopias-gain/

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Ethiopia Starts Marketing Debut Eurobond for Projects

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By Robert Brand, Paul Wallace and Lyubov Pronina

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Ethiopia raised $1 billion in a debut international bond issue today, taking advantage of record demand for high-yielding African debt to fund electricity, railway and sugar-industry projects.

The 10-year bonds priced to yield 6.625 percent, at the lower end of the 6.625 to 6.75 percent price guidance, according to a person familiar with the matter, who isn’t authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be identified. Kenya’s $2 billion of bonds due June 2024 yielded 5.89 percent at 5:21 p.m. in London.

Africa’s fastest-growing economy and biggest coffee producer is joining issuers, including Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Ivory Coast, who sold what Standard Bank Group Ltd. says is a record $15 billion of Eurobonds this year. Government and corporate issuers are seeking to benefit from investor appetite for higher returns before the Federal Reserve raises interest rates as soon as next year.

Ethiopia’s bond yield is “decent value for the deal given the limited knowledge and different nature of the Ethiopian economy and the challenges it faces compared to peers in the region,” Kevin Daly, a senior portfolio manager at Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, said by e-mail.

The country made a strong case for infrastructure development and financing needs at investor meetings, “which suggests they will be looking to come back to the market in near term,” Daly said.

Ethiopia will probably need to invest about $50 billion over the next five years, of which $10 billion to $15 billion may come from foreign investors, Finance Minister Sufian Ahmed said on Oct. 7. Most of the capital raised will be used to develop sugarcane plantations, a 6,000-megawatt hydropower dam on a tributary of the Nile River and the country’s railway network, he said.

“It is certainly a good time for them, market wise,” David Cowan, an Africa economist at Citigroup Inc., said at a conference in London. “Ethiopia is still one of the most closed economies, although it has a very strong developmental vision. They have to think about how they use that money to drive that development.”

Band Aid

Almost 30 years after pictures of Ethiopian children with distended stomachs were used to raise money by Bob Geldof and Band Aid, the country is growing faster than any other African economy, at an average rate of 10.9 percent over the past decade, International Monetary Fund data shows.

African government and corporate Eurobonds sales this year beat 2013’s record $14 billion, Standard Bank said on Nov. 13. Sovereigns accounted for about 71 percent of issuance, according to the Johannesburg-based lender.

Ethiopia was assigned its first credit ratings in May. Moody’s Investors Service rates it a non-investment grade B1 with a stable outlook, while Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings awarded the East African country B, one grade lower.

Moody’s said the nation’s economic prospects, while favorable in the long term, were constrained by political risks and dependence on volatile agricultural commodities. Deutsche Bank AG and JPMorgan Chase & Co. managed Ethiopia’s sale.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-04/ethiopia-starts-marketing-debut-eurobond-for-railways-sugar.html

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LG Opened TVET College in Ethiopia

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LG-KOICA Hope TVET College has finished its preparation to provide trainings in the areas of IT (Hardware and Network Servicing) and Electronics which contains two streams of Home and office Equipment servicing and Electronic and multimedia communication servicing.

In each training stream the departments only accepted 25 qualified trainees so recently the college has a total of 75 students based on the criteria set by Addis Ababa TVET Agency and the entrance exam set by the college.

Initially a total 221 trainees has applied for the college and only 75 trainees are selected for the three training streams by way of various requirements set by the college including entrance exam. In the application and selection process descendants of Korean War Veterans has been given special consideration. During this project students will not be requested to pay anything so the training is provided is for free. In addition LG also provides lunch service for all 75 students during their stay in the training years.

Even though the college uses the curriculum designed by the TVET agency, LG has inserted some important courses that can facilitate the transfer of LG’s core technologies and competencies. Beyond the technological transfer the college will also provide innovative course so that the young generation will craft income generation initiations and Skills of entrepreneurship.

As part of its CSR program, LG currently runs five major projects in Ethiopia which are pertinent and supportive of the country’s development routes. These projects are: LG Hope Village, LG Hope TVET College, LG Hope Descendants, Vaccination Program and Elementary school supporting Program. The corner stone for all these projects has been and it will always be self-reliance and sustainability.

Among these programs the one that focuses on fostering young middle level technician that can positively contribute for the Ethiopian Industry is the LG-KOICA Hope TVET College.

Currently the Ethiopia Educational system has given ample attention in creating skilled human power that can fill the gap in the labor market. The TVET project has the principle concept of establishment, operation and transfer. Since April, 2014 LG has been constructing the building, drafting the legislation and the manuals, reviewing the Occupational Standards and hiring qualified trainers and trainees.

Each of LG Hope Projects focuses on specific needs of the local population in Ethiopia and attempt to address the causes, not just their effects, with creative, multifaceted solutions. The College also fills the gap in the labor market in securing skilled human power which is the basis for the industry of any country. LG Electronics; hence, will further strengthen its support and be fully committed to the Ethiopia’s development objectives.

The college is located in Summit condominium of Bole sub city and the training provided in both fields runs from Level I to Level IV.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16426-lg-opened-tvet-college-in-ethiopia

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Technology: An Internet connection that blocks power cuts

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By Ying M. Zhao-Hiemann
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Courtesy photo©http://www.brck.com/

Courtesy photo©http://www.brck.com/

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BRCK, a portable Wi-Fi router and a backup power generator for the internet, is expected to alleviate problems that African Internet users face daily such as high communication costs and unreliable electricity.

Ushahidi, a not-for-profit technology company based in Kenya, has invented a cloud-managed, portable Wi-Fi router that consists of a mobile modem, which can also be used as a backup power generator for the Internet during electricity blackouts or in situations of limited network coverage.

Out of adversity can come innovation

Called BRCK (pronounced as “brick”), experts are already recognising it as an ingenious solution to Africa’s intractable power problems.

The BRCK is rugged and water-proof and compatible with any device that requires between 3 and 17 volts power supply.

It weighs 510 grammes and it is ideal for use in particularly rural areas. It can be charged on readily available power sources such as a car battery or a solar panel. When the electricity goes off, BRCK automatically switches to battery mode, which can then last for eight hours.

In addition, currently available modems in Africa don’t meet local needs.

They are designed primarily for use in more developed regions, particularly the West and Asia, where there is mostly uninterrupted access to electricity and Internet.

The gadget can switch between Ethernet, Wi-Fi and mobile broadband connections, and deliver connectivity for up to 20 devices at the same time through multiple sim cards, thereby allowing users to stay connected at a relatively low cost.

Ushahidi is optimistic about the device’s potential to help small business owners in Kenya and other parts of Africa.

“Out of adversity can come innovation,” said Juliana Rotich, Ushahidi’s executive director, at a presentation at the TED Global Conference in Scotland last year.

Rotich emphasized the importance of connectivity and entrepreneurship for Africa’s digital economy, and highlighted the BRCK’s role in keeping Africans connected.

Last July, BRCK’s creators were invited by eLimu, a Kenyan tech company, to consider delivering an e-learning to schools in remote locations.

The BRCK has also been stress-tested successfully in rural Kenya and during the Rhino Charge, an annual off-road motorsport competition.

Launched last July in Nairobi, each BRCK sells for $199. Africa’s ongoing information and communication technology (ICT) transformation makes BRCK a potentially popular device.

Ushahidi (meaning “testimony” or “witness” in Swahili) was originally founded in 2008 as a website to map reports of violence in Kenya in the aftermath of the disputed 2007 presidential election.

Since then, the company has evolved into a leader of the technology community in East Africa.

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/technology-an-internet-connection-that-blocks-power-cuts.html

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Vitol places lowest offer in Ethiopia oil product tender: sources

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European oil trader Vitol is likely to clinch a term deal to supply nearly 1.2 million tonnes of oil products into Ethiopia for next year, industry sources said.
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Vitol placed the lowest offer out of seven into a tender by Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) to buy 1 million tonnes of gasoil, 45,000 tonnes of gasoline and 120,000 tonnes of jet fuel for 2015.“Vitol had the lowest offer in terms of weighted average price so they came out in favour, but the tender is still under validity,” one of the sources said.If awarded the tender, it will charge a premium of $3.85 a barrel above Middle East quotes for the gasoil cargoes, a $6 a barrel premium for the gasoline cargoes and a $14.20 a barrel premium for the jet fuel cargoes, the source added.

The other companies who participated in the company include Glencore, Independent Petroleum Group (IPG), Lukoil, Trafigura, Bakri, BB Energy and Socar Trading, the source said.

The credit period will be for 150 days, the source said.

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vitol-places-lowest-offer-in-ethiopia-oil-product-tender-sources/

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Italian firm to invest in Ethiopia’s textile

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Calzedonia, Italian Garment Company is to invest in textile industry in Ethiopia.

The nation’s population size, huge potential resource, investment incentives, among others, attracted the company to engage in textile industry in the country.

The Company is expected to open its first Ethiopian branch in Mekelle town next year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

In his meeting with the company delegates at the Ministry yesterday, State Minister Dawano Kedir said that Ethiopia has ample investment opportunities and huge potential for textile industry and others.

Given the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of three continents, the peaceful investment climate and incentives, among others, have attracted investors to come and take advantage of the business opportunities in Ethiopia, he added.

Dawano also invited the delegates to explore new avenues of engagement in the manufacturing sector, in agro-processing and tannery.

Briefing journalists on their discussion with the State Minister, Company President Sandro Veronesi said that this is his second visit to Ethiopia.

Our meeting with the State Minister was fruitful as we have been able to identify the advantages and conditions prevailing in the country. We want to establish a factory for the production of night wear capable of employing some two to three thousand people. But we are still assessing the appropriate location and suitable conditions for the establishment of the factory. We are hopeful to start with the investment by next year,” he said.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16410-italian-firm-to-invest-in-ethiopias-textile-

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ERC inks contracts with Chinese companies for AA-LRT management

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Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC) yesterday concluded an agreement with China Railways Group and Shengen Meter Group for the maintenance and management of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AA-LRT).

The contract sets out three to five year periods for the Chinese companies to maintain and manage the AA-LRT.

ERC Board Chairperson and Adviser to the Prime Minister with the Rank of Minister Dr. Arkebe Equbay said at the signing ceremony that there is no local company with the desired knowhow and experience to shoulder the administrative and maintenance of the rails.

He added the Chinese companies will conduct the testing of the tram and commence full operation.

Dr. Arkebe said the contract sets out a mechanism where technological transfer takes place and Ethiopian staff gain experience in the three to five year period.

After the five year, administering and maintaining the rails will be conducted by Ethiopians, it was noted. As such, the contract involves training Ethiopians in China.

The performance of the companies will be measured, among others, with the number of Ethiopian experts they have trained and by indicators of facilitating the city’s tram service.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ERC Dr Getachew Betru (Eng) disclosed the 106 million US dollars deal will pave the way for international experience in managing trams to enter Ethiopia.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/editors-pick/16380-erc-inks-contracts-with-chinese-companies-for-aa-lrt-management-

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Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Addis Ababa, Agriculture, Arabica, Business, China, Coffee, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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09 December 2014 Business News (UPDATED)

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Intra-COMESA Trade now at US $20.9 billion

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Intra-regional trade in COMESA has steadily risen from US $3 billion to US $20.9 billion since the establishment of a Free Trade Area in 2000.

This however, excludes the informal trade across the borders that currently goes largely unrecorded but which has been estimated at over 30% of formal trade.

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According to the 2013 status report presented to the COMESA Intergovernmental Committee (IC) in Lusaka, Zambia (4-6 December 2014) intra-COMESA trade is still low partly due to the similar products that compete for the same market within the Member States and the existence of Non- Tariff Barriers (NTBs).. For example in 2013, intra-COMESA trade was recorded at 7% as compared to other regions such as the ASEAN that have recorded 25% intra-regional trade.

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In his address while opening the IC meeting, Zambia Minister for Commerce and Industry Hon. Bob Sichinga said that focus should now be place on addressing the bottlenecks to intra-regional trade, such as NTBs, supply side constraints, border measures that affect and impact on volumes and values of intra-trade.

“It is incumbent upon all the stakeholders to address these bottlenecks to sustain the momentum thus far achieved, deepen COMESA’s integration agenda beyond the FTA, and attain a fully functional common market by 2018,” the Minister told the IC meeting which is comprised of Permanent Secretaries from Member States.

He appreciated that COMESA’s had developed draft NTB Regulations that would enable the region to address barriers related to intra-regional trade under a legal framework such as the arbitrary imposition of NTBs.

“The Annex on NTBs that also includes enforceability through the invocation of Article 171 of the Treaty is before this Committee, and the expectation is that pursuant to past Council decisions, you will now recommend the same for adoption by the Council of Ministers to facilitate its implementation,” the Minister urged the PSs.

COMESA has focused on industrialisation to address part of the supply side constraints and has subsequently put in place the Clusters Programme initiatives in the cassava, textiles and leather sectors. These clusters aim at establishing linkages between the SMEs to the particular cluster value chain; for instance, the cassava cluster links the small scale farmer to the market, through the making of industrial starch.

“Such initiatives go a long way in addressing the supply side constraints, but more importantly, increased value addition, leading to diversification of intra-regional exports,” the Minister said.

http://www.comesa.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1401:intra-comesa-trade-now-at-us-209-billion&catid=5:latest-news&Itemid=41

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UNCTAD and Luxembourg join forces to strengthen competition policy and consumer protection in Ethiopia

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09 December 2014
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The UNCTAD Secretary-General and Luxembourg’s Ambassador signed an agreement to reinforce the capacities of Ethiopian enforcement authority on 5 December 2014 in Geneva.

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Ambassador Hoscheit and Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi
H.E. Mr Jean-Marc Hoscheit and Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi

In response to a technical assistance request from Ethiopia and in consultation with its government, UNCTAD developed a project proposal based on the needs of the Ethiopian Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg provided financial support for the three-year project, set out in an agreement signed in Geneva on 5 December between UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to United Nations at Geneva Jean-Marc Hoscheit.

The project aims to reinforce the capacities of the authority in implementing competition and consumer protection laws.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Kituyi expressed his appreciation to Luxembourg in supporting this project, and said that UNCTAD looked forward to its work in Ethiopia.

Mr. Hoscheit said that his country was happy to support the project in partnership with UNCTAD, an organization with which Luxembourg has had a long-term relationship.

The project, which starts in December 2014, will cover four broad areas; the policy and legal framework, the institutional framework, enforcement capacity building, and advocacy for competition and consumer protection.

http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=896

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A Paradigm Shift: Entrepreneurship Taking Precedence Over Public Jobs In Ethiopia

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VENTURES AFRICA – In Ethiopia, a country of 90 million the main and almost the only source of employment was the government. Previously many young graduates dreamed of joining a government offices and becoming a public servant. But these days this attitude has been replaced by the idea of becoming an entrepreneur or self-employed.

Getahun Ekyawu is one of these new thinkers. He graduated six years ago from Hawassa University in Hawassa City, 268km south of Addis Ababa. He began thinking about starting his own business even when he was student at the university. After graduating, he started his first business, establishing a mushroom farm with an initial capital of $450.This business has blossomed into a $10,000 entity and employs over 15 people. Gethaun’s learnt about entrepreneurship from a course he took at the university. However, there are now a number of private training institutes for young or prospective entrepreneurs. These institutes offer short and long term courses ranging from three to nine months. The average cost of such trainings is between $45 and $110.

Dr. Werotaw Bezabeh owns a training centre. He established Genius Entrepreneurs Training Center 10 years ago with an initial capitalization of $2250. It currently generates more than $25,000 in revenue annually. “We have trained students for 413 rounds and our plan is to train one million entrepreneurs,” said Werotaw. Identifying business opportunities, how to prepare business plans and business ethics are some of the courses offered at Genius.

http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/12/a-paradigm-shift-entrepreneurship-taking-precedence-over-public-jobs-in-ethiopia/

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Ethiopia’s $1bn eurobond oversubscribed on debut

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By Tinishu Solomon
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Ethiopia has declared that its debut on the Eurobond market was a success after its $1 billion bond was oversubscribed by 260 percent last Thursday.

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The East African country debuted with a 10-year- $1 billion Eurobond at a coupon rate of 6.625 percent.

According to the Finance and Economic Development ministry, the success of the bond “affirms widespread positive receptivity to Ethiopia’s track record of significant economic growth, prudent fiscal management and targeted reform agenda”.

Investors remained engaged throughout the process

“The transaction successfully crystallised the positive momentum generated from Ethiopia’s international roadshow, during which over 80 institutional investors were visited in the United States and Europe,” the ministry added in a statement.

Ethiopia attracted high quality investor interest despite a challenging environment in the market.

“Investors remained engaged throughout the process and reflected sizeable appetite to participate in the deal,” the Finance ministry said.

Initial price projections for the bond were put at a yield level of around 6.750. The government eventually settled for 6.625 percent for the $1 billion bond.

Ethiopia focused on a 10-year maturity rate to create a strong benchmark, which matched its preference for duration given its infrastructure-driven use of proceeds.

The transaction was distributed primarily to United State investors who accounted for 50 percent of the subscribers, followed by those in the United King (35 percent), Europe (14 percent) and others (1percent).

Fund managers dominated allocations (receiving 96 percent), underscoring the high calibre of demand.

A company from France acted as a financial advisor to the Finance and Economic Development ministry.

Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan acted as joint lead managers for the transaction.

Ethiopia has said the funds would be used to finance new infrastructure for the Horn of Africa nation, which battled against famine three decades ago and now boasts some of the fastest economic growth rates in Africa.

Ethiopia’s success follows that of Kenya whose $2 billion Eurobond in June was heavily oversubscribed.

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopias-1bn-eurobond-oversubscribed-on-debut.html

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A new frontier for yield

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With developed market bonds yielding record low returns, fund managers are venturing into frontier and emerging markets – notably in Africa, the fashionable destination for intrepid investors.

Ethiopia, for instance, is seeking to raise up to $1bn (£630m) with a 10-year bond, following a recent roadshow to European and US investors. The aim is to build roads, railways and hydroelectric dams.

Rated B1 by Standard & Poor’s and B by Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, Ethiopian sovereign debt is well into junk bond territory. Yet this has not deterred pension funds, insurers and sovereign wealth funds from subscribing to the issue.

The bonds are expected to generate a yield of approximately 6-7 per cent a year, compared to consensus forecasts for emerging market debt of 4 per cent (down from 9 per cent), according to Amin Rajan, chief executive of Create Research.

Meanwhile, former Barclays chief Bob Diamond is targeting Africa’s banking sector through his Atlas Mara vehicle, and private equity group KKR recently took a $200m stake in a Kenyan flower farm.

Retail fund managers are also eyeing esoteric plays. One is Mary-Therese Barton, an emerging market debt manager at Pictet Asset Management, who plans to take advantage of higher-yielding markets such as Lebanon and Vietnam. Unlike the debts of China, Malaysia and Mexico – which move with US Treasuries due to their dollar peg – these countries’ debts move in relation to domestic issues, she says.

Martin Harvey, deputy manager on the Threadneedle Global Opportunities Bond fund, says he has increased exposure to “quality markets” such as Mexico and Columbia. At the same time Zsolt Papp, who works on the emerging market debt team at JPMorgan Asset Management, says it has taken tactical trading positions in Brazilian debt after the price fell and the yield rose correspondingly.

The team is also reviewing the Ethiopian bond issue. “Like with any emerging market debt investment, if it carries a strong growth story and good valuations, then it is something we would consider gaining exposure to,” Mr Papp says.

Anthony Gillham, who co-manages multi-asset funds at Old Mutual Global Investors, thinks emerging market government bonds issued in local currencies are currently among the best value assets across the entire fixed income spectrum.

“Yields are above 6 per cent, which compares very favourably with developed market government bonds, particularly when you risk-adjust these yields,” he says.

“A 10-year gilt offers just 25 basis points in yield per year of duration, whereas Brazilian 10-year government bonds offer approximately 2 per cent yield per year of duration.”

He thinks many of the factors that have held back emerging market currencies since 2013 are abating, which will boost bonds denominated in those currencies. Indonesia has stabilised its balance sheet in terms of imports versus exports, he says, while weaker commodity prices have been a tailwind for nations such as Turkey.

“Given such reasonable valuations in the more mainstream parts of the asset class at the moment, I question whether it is necessary to move into frontier markets such as Ethiopia, particularly at a time when market makers are structurally pulling back from providing secondary market liquidity,” adds Mr Gillham.

Mr Papp argues esoteric corporate bonds are not necessarily less safe than esoteric government bonds, since their issuers recognise they could be shunned by the capital markets if they fail to meet their debt service obligations.

This pressure is perhaps more potent where companies are concerned, he says, because governments can rely on financial support from supranational lenders such as the International Monetary Fund.

He adds that investors should differentiate between fundamentally sound sovereign issuers and those facing a deteriorating or vulnerable macro backdrop.

“One of the main factors is the ability to absorb potential contagion from global financial market events, such as higher bond or foreign exchange market volatilities or a hike in US Treasury rates,” he says.

Mr Papp favours countries with strong solvency and foreign currency reserves, low debt ratios and no problems refinancing their budget or current account deficits.

“As commodity and energy prices look likely to stay under pressure, we believe commodity importers are better positioned than exporters, including central-eastern European issuers such as Hungary or Slovenia, but also South Africa, India and Panama,” he predicts.

Mr Papp says average emerging market debt yield and spread levels look attractive, with the company’s index of emerging market government bonds trading at approximately 350bps, implying an average yield of roughly 5.7 per cent.

Even with the recent rises in Russian, Brazilian and Venezuelan yields, he thinks emerging market debt offers attractive relative value, but cautions that risk-averse investors should maintain a broadly diversified portfolio.

This does not necessarily mean developed market debt should be substituted for emerging market debt, he says, but that it might suffice to add some emerging market debt to an existing portfolio to improve its Sharpe ratio.

“If investors decide to replace developed with emerging market debt, we would suggest maintaining a similar rating and duration distribution in the new portfolio, in order not to radically change underlying portfolio risks and interest rate sensitivities,” Mr Papp says.

http://www.ftadviser.com/2014/12/09/investments/a-new-frontier-for-yield-avjD9kyK3PXByqLLoT8nON/article.html

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Unlocking East African businesses’ access to Indian markets

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by ITC News

East African businesses are set to trade more with India by learning to take advantage of the country’s duty-free market access scheme, facilitated by the Supporting India’s Trade Preferences for Africa (SITA) project of the International Trade Centre (ITC).

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Following an amendment two years ago to India’s Duty-Free Trade Preference Scheme, least developed countries will receive preferential zero-duty access on 98% of Indian tariff lines. This means goods exported from least developed countries should have a competitive edge when entering the Indian market.

However, the five SITA countries – Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Kenya, the only non-least developed country – have not seen trade with India increase to the expected levels since the scheme went into full effect in October 2012.

‘For beneficiary countries to reap the most benefits from the scheme, they just have to send letters of intent and meet the rules of origin requirement as specified in the scheme,’ said Pranav Kumar, Head of International Policy and Trade, Confederation of Indian Industry. ‘Much needs to be done to raise awareness of the scheme among members of the Indian private sector, as they have yet to fully understand how to source products from less familiar trading partners, and also invest in least developed countries to export products to India.’
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Representatives of business, government and international organizations gather at SITA’s second Partnership Platform meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss priority sectors for development in East Africa

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Tackling trade obstacles

To promote such awareness and understanding, African and Indian entrepreneurs, policymakers and members of international organizations will discuss ways to make better use of the scheme at SITA’s third Partnership Platform meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 4-5 December, following previous meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, and Kigali, Rwanda.

‘Further investments from India would certainly help Tanzania make better use of the scheme,’ said Adam Zuku, Director of Industry Development, Tanzanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. ‘It would help address the country’s limited capacity to meet export demands, and Indian investors would be better placed to source the right products and access the right buyers.’

‘Building productive capacities, market linkages and enhancing investment attractiveness in the selected sectors will be a key way to ensure that SITA delivers impact and provides a sustainable template for similar South-South trade and investment projects,’ said Govind Venuprasad, SITA Coordinator. ‘It will also allow companies working in these sectors to become export ready to supply other markets.’

At the meeting, members of the East African public and private sectors will learn about the Duty-Free Trade Preference Scheme’s compliance and market requirements, particularly in sectors with high untapped export potential. Representatives of the Indian private sector will learn to make better use of the scheme to source products from Africa. The discussions will also focus on addressing procedural and regulatory obstacles to trade, in part through governments creating a more business-friendly environment through effective policies.

The stakeholders, representing business, government and civil society, will work together to finalize SITA’s intervention plan, focusing on specific activities in the selected sectors in each of the five East African countries. The sectors, selected through a series of consultative meetings, reflect demands in international markets as well as the capacity of African suppliers, and are selected in line with national and regional trade development goals.

The goal of SITA (2014-2020) is to enable East African enterprises to enhance their competitiveness to produce high-quality goods that match overseas market requirements. Indian businesses will partner by providing technology, skills know-how and investment to build capacities in SITA African countries for value-added production in sectors such as cotton, coffee, pulses and beans, oilseeds, and information and communications technology. SITA is funded by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s Department for International Development.

http://www.intracen.org/news/Unlocking-East-African-businesses-access-to-Indian-markets/ 

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Non-Tariff Barriers in Focus at COMESA Ministers Meeting

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COMESA Council of Ministers held their 33rd meeting in Lusaka yesterday with a call to address the Non-Tariff barriers inhibiting intra-COMESA Trade.

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The most frequently reported NTBs, reported through the online system are customs and administrative procedures, transport, clearing and forwarding issues. Currently intra COMESA trade stands at only 7% and has slowly been rising since the establishment of a Free Trade Area in 2000.

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Acting President of Zambia Dr Guy Scott who opened the Ministers meeting cited the Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures imposed by regional states on agriculture and tourism as major bottlenecks to trade.

“I have received complaints from the industry all the time on the non-tariff barriers that they can’t move their products because of Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements by importing countries”, Dr Scott said.

He added; “It was disappointing to note that some countries had continued to request for the certification of Yellow Fever despite the low prevalence levels of the disease in our countries. This has made the tourism industry to suffer because it restricts movement of people.”

Dr Scott cited Zambia as one of those faced with tremendous difficulties in exporting or importing their products as a result of the NTBs. He called on the secretariat to come up with harmonized rules and regulations that will allow member states to trade freely a scenario, which will result in, reduced cost of doing business.

In their last meeting held in February this year, the Council of Ministers had directed that the COMESA Secretariat undertake an audit and impact assessment of existing NTBS in order to come up with a schedule of their removal.

Article 49 of the COMESA Treaty provides for the elimination of NTBs and prohibits Member States from introducing new ones.

The report presented to the Ministers showed that NTBS have a negative impact on trade flows and were mainly responsible for the high cost of doing business in the region.

The meeting of the Council which was held under the theme of “Consolidating intra-COMESA trade through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises development” ends Tuesday 9 December 2014. It is expected to come up with a raft of policy decision to be implemented by the Secretariat and Member States including those aimed at eliminating non-tariff barriers.

http://www.comesa.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1402:non-tariff-barriers-in-focus-at-comesa-ministers-meeting&catid=5:latest-news&Itemid=41

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Ethiopia’s development throws in to regional economic integration: Djibouti emphasizes

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Djibouti, 9 December 2014 (WIC) -

The past ten years witness that the overall development in Ethiopia has brought a huge possibility to regional economic integration of the Horn of Africa, Djibouti Ports & Free Zone Authority said.

The Chairman of the Djibouti Ports & Free Zone Authority,  Aboubaker Omar Hadi,  told journalists the double economic growth in Ethiopia has played greater roles in economically integrating the countries in the region.

The chairman said that Djibouti is at a point where Africa, Europe and Asia are intersected that about 50 per cent of world shipping passes in part of the country’s maritime routs.

Due to the boosting infrastructure in Ethiopia, Djibouti is connected to Ethiopia by road and rail via which Djibouti will reach to the heart of Africa.

Ethiopia has now a huge and fast growing economy with a large market and population, 80 per cent of the goods handled by Port of Djibouti belongs to it, the chairman said.

Ethiopia has also been transporting 95 per cent of its oil through Port of Djibouti, the chairman said, adding that Djibouti has modernized and developed Horizon Djibouti Petroleum Terminal with storage capacity of 371, 000 cubic meters, he added.

Djibouti had made an additional 20 ha of dry yard area available so as to particularly accommodate the growing demand of Ethiopia, WIC learnt.

According to the chairman, the fast economic development and boosting of road infrastructure in Ethiopia has come with a bright future, which is mutual development and economic integration of countries in the region.

The sustainable development of Ethiopian market has paved ways for the expansion of port of Djibouti and the development of new ports like the Lac Assal and Tadjourah.

The newly under construction Export Terminal Project at Lake Assal with a coast of about 64 million USD is expected to load 6 million tones of salt per year extracted from the Assal lake, Engineers at the site pinpointed.

According to Djibouti Officials, the plan is to export salt extracted from Lake Assal to china and Japan and European countries.

The Tadjourah Port is also under construction with a cost of about 70 million USD and is designed for the export of potash. 25 percent of the construction has already completed, according to the site Engineer.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16463-ethiopias-development-throws-in-to-regional-economic-integration-djibouti-emphasizes 

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Ethiopia’s Economy Expands By 9% Annually

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Ethiopia said on Friday it had completed raising $1 billion with its debut Eurobond with a term of 10 years and coupon of 6.625 per cent, adding that the offer had been oversubscribed.

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Ethiopia is the latest African sovereign to receive a strong response on its first foray into the international debt markets. Investors have been eyeing Africa’s sturdy growth rates and Ethiopia’s economy is now expanding by about 9 per cent a year.

“Ethiopia attracted high quality investor interest despite a challenging market environment,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement, adding the 10-year maturity aimed to create a benchmark and proceeds would be invested in infrastructure.

Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan were the lead managers. The ministry said a French firm had acted as financial adviser but did not name the company.

Despite strong growth rates, analysts said Ethiopia had limited hard currency earnings, making its debt-servicing capacity weaker than some African states. It will also be more difficult for Ethiopia to build foreign reserves, which now cover little more than two months of imports, they said.

Kenya, Ethiopia’s southern neighbour which issued its debut Eurobond earlier this year, has reserves to cover around four months of imports

http://www.spyghana.com/ethiopias-economy-expands-by-9-annually/

See also  http://www.borkena.com/2014/12/09/ethiopia-inflation-rises-5-9-pct-year-november/

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Expansion of Ashegoda Wind Farm to help Ethiopia add 40MW of power

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Adama wind farm Ethiopia
Adama wind farm in Ethiopia

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Vergnet Group SA is conducting a feasibility study in Tirgay Regional State for expansion of the Ashegoda Wind Farm, a project that will help the country add to the grid a total of 40MW in Tirgay Regional State. Lodovic Dehondt, Ashegoda’s project director for the first phase has said the project is expected to end in 2015.

Ashegoda is considered to be one of the windiest places in Ethiopia and its one of the 11 sites that had been identified by experts with the potential to generate power from wind. Feasibility studies in the area commenced in October this year. The wind farm has capacity to produce 10 – 40 MW of electricity once it becomes operational.

German-based company Lahmeyer International GmbH has been hired by the government to provide project consultancy services and contract supervision and administration works. The funds for the project will be sourced from European banks and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The Minister of water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) Alemayehu Tegenu, and the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Debretsion Gebremichel have also entered into another agreement to expand power generation.

Ethiopia aims at generating 10,000Mw electric power from water, wind and geothermal sources through the Ashegoda wind farm and Adama wind farm during the conclusion of the government’s five-year growth plan.

Vergnet Group SA is based in French firm and deals with power generation from  wind,  solar  and  hybrid  sources. It has installed 900 wind turbines and operates in nearly 35  countries. Ethiopia has recently announced setting aside US$20bn for energy projects in a bid to construct 10-12 new power generating projects between 2015-2020.

http://constructionreviewonline.com/2014/12/05/expansion-ashegoda-wind-farm-help-ethiopia-add-40mw-power/

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GERD progressing well

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Addis Ababa, 9 December 2014 (WIC) -

Ethiopia’s mega hydroelectric power project being built on the Blue Nile River, known by the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), is progressing well, Ethiopian officials have said.

The project in the East African country will generate 6000-MW of electric power upon completion.

The dam is being constructed in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State of Ethiopia, western part of the country, about 40 km east of the border with Sudan.
Engineer Simegnew Bekele, Project Manager of the GERD, told Xinhua on Saturday that the project is progressing well in all its activities.
All the activities on the project “are progressing healthily in order to realize the project.

“We are mobilizing all the people, nations and nationalities of Ethiopia, including the Ethiopian Diaspora,” said Simegnew.

Ethiopia is now harnessing its potential for renewable energy to fight against poverty and improve the lives and livelihoods of its people, said Simegnew.

“This is a green energy; and this supports other renewable energy; and Ethiopia is the power hub; we have tremendous natural resources.
“So, we are now exploiting; we are now harnessing this potential to improve lives and livelihoods of individuals,” he noted.

“This is our primary agenda, number one agenda for our country; this is a project which is equipping us to fight poverty, our common enemy.
“The government has devised a strategy to improve the lives and livelihoods of individuals, the citizens.

“And we have already started developing such kind of infrastructures that allow us to fight poverty,” he said.

He said, “On Nov. 28, 2014 we already booked world record with a daily average of 16,949 m3 roller compacted concrete.

“At the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam hydroelectric project on the Nov. 28, 2014 we have already placed 16,949 m3 of concrete, which is roller compacted concrete.”

Bereket Simon, Policy Study and Research Advisor Minister to the Prime Minister, told Xinhua on Sunday that the project is progressing on the schedule.
“It is amazing; right now it has reached around 40 per cent.

“We are right on the schedule in all fronts; the clearing of the bushes, the forest has been done well; construction, filling of the Dam have been done also according to plan,” Simon said.

Ethiopia celebrates Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day on December 8 annually to commemorate the Day on which the country’s constitution was adopted about 20 years ago.

This year the Day is marked under the theme, “Constitutionally Embellished Ethiopianess for our Renaissance,” in Asosa, capital of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. (Xinhua)

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16472-gerd-progressing-well

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Ceramics Factory to Launch in 10 Months

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Medtech is going to be the second ceramic manufacturer to join the sector

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Medtech Ceramics Manufacturing Plc (MCM), a ceramic and sanitary ware manufacturer, is expecting the delivery of two ceramic manufacturing machines in three months, for the factory which could begin operation in 10 months. MCM was established jointly by Medtech Ethiopia Plc and Sheikh Faisal bin Al Qasimi, chairman of Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, and Star Group Holdings.

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The Company, established six months ago with a capital of 450 million Br, has finished construction of its factory building on a 20ha land. It is situated in Butajira, Southern Regional State, 132Km south of Addis Abeba, according to Mohammed Nuri (MD) general manger of the ceramic factory.

Medtech Ethiopia, a local pharmaceutical products manufacturer, has a 30pc share. The two United Arab Emirates (UAE) based shareholders, Sheikh Faisal and Star have 30pc and 40pc shares in the ceramics and sanitary products company, respectively.

“The main aim of the factory is to substitute imported ceramics,’’ said Mohammed.

Ethiopia imported ceramic products worth four billion Birr during the 2012/13 fiscal year; imports mainly come from China and the United Kingdom (UK), according to ceramic importers in Merkato.

Medtech says its goal is to produce 30,000sqm of floor and wall tiles on a daily basis when production begins in September 2015. It could employ 500 people, some of them coming from India and Arab countries.

The company and the Ministry of Mines (MoM) have identified an area adjacent to the factory site, where the company will mine red ash. It will only receive a mining license from the Ministry when it has finished the factory, according to a Ministry source.

The Company will get 98pc of input locally and the remaining two percent will be imported, including dices, mixers and colouring materials, according to Mohammed.

“We decided to establish the Company because thanks to the recent construction boom there is high demand for ceramic products which cannot be met by current production,’’ says Mohammed.

The only local ceramic manufacturer currently is Tabor Ceramic Products S.C, which was founded in 1989 on a 206,259sqm plot of land in Hawassa, in the Southern Regional State. It manufactures ceramic electrical insulators, table ware products, sanitary products and tiles.

Medtech made the order for the two machines three months ago from Caravan & Marine Equipment Company (CAMEC), a machinery equipment manufacturer, for 10 million dollars, according to Mohammed.

“The Medtech that is already planted in Butajira is at phase one. We are in phase two, getting land for the project in Addis Abeba,’’ Mohammed told Fortune.

Medtech-Ethiopia and Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries were inaugurated in February, 2013. It is a 170 million Br pharmaceutical manufacturing factory in Bole District, Addis Abeba, and has a production capacity of 25 million bottles of suspensions and syrups, 500 million tablets and 200 million capsules annually.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/ceramics-factory-to-launch-in-10-months/ 

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Ethiopia seeks Indian help to revitalise higher education

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As the Ethiopian government works towards revitalising higher education to meet growing demand by boosting investment in education under the country’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), India, with its long experience in the education sector, could help invest in Ethiopia, officials state.

This was stated at a three-day international seminar on “India and Africa: Developmental Experiences and Bilateral Cooperation”, and the Sixth Doctoral Scholar International Conference in African Studies that started here Monday.

The three-day seminar is being organized by the Wolkite University of Ethiopia in collaboration with the Policy Research Institute of African Studies Association (PRI-ASA) of India and the Centre for African Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

“This seminar can contribute ideas or innovations in this field so that we can incorporate this officially to the second phase of the GTP that we are now preparing”, Admasu Shibru, president of Wolkite University, told IANS.

“It is very important for us to realise the educational vision and transform the socio-economic situation of this country even as we are trying to benchmark all possible innovations in terms of developing each sector.”

The seminar under the theme of “Development, Diaspora and International Relations of African Countries” is being attended by academicians from India as well as the business community, civil society organisations and NGOs from Ethiopia.

“The very important thing that we are doing today is establishing the collaboration so we are just starting and once it is established we have to continue strengthening by shaping the partnership strategies that we are going to have,” Shibru further stated.

“This conference that has brought experts from across the world will explore the various faces of their bilateral cooperation from different paradigms,” said Aparajita Biswas, president of ASA, Mumbai.

“It is not only contributing to the global discourse on India and Africa but it will hopefully alter the existing narratives of this complex relation,” she said.

“This initiative is certainly the beginning of a fruitful relationship between ASA India and Wolkite University as we can work together for an enriching partnership to promote the exchange of the knowledge and people across the Indian ocean.”

India is known for its knowledge economy, it is known for its contribution to the world economy in areas of knowledge in modern science and technology and in social science and literary writing, says Dubey, director of Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai.

“Exposing them to African countries and establishing interaction with them will enrich their own experience as well as give access to African academics and help postgraduate students link up and see developing countries’ academics how they are seeing the world and how the situations are in similar paradigms,” he said.

“Different countries were confronting almost similar issues of development, proper action in healthcare and negotiating globalisation from a developing country’s perspective”.

According to Dubey, India’s policy on Africa needs to first look at the basic educational sectors. “As a knowledge-based economy, our scientists, our academicians, and our literary writers are making a difference all over the world. Therefore, it gives an opportunity to share this experience with Africa and the world”, he asserted.

This seminar that has so far been organized every two years was previously held in Kenya along with the University of Nairobi and in Durban, South Africa.

“Seminars like this have the power to fill the serious lack of academic interaction amongst academicians and scholars of India and Africa,” a participant of the seminar told IANS.

“This seminar is expected to come up with long term and sustainable partnership with India and Ethiopia and Africa in general. Then this will bring about sharing of all sorts of technologies, skills, innovations of all kinds which could help us improve our education quality.”

 http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/228370077

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Meta Abo Brewery to source all cereal raw materials in Ethiopia locally

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Meta Barley

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Meta Abo Brewery S.C., a Diageo company, announced last week that it will source 100% of all cereal raw material needs in Ethiopia locally in time for Meta’s 50th Anniversary, by the end of 2017. This local sourcing strategy will serve as a commitment across the entire Meta business and will not be limited to specific products or brands.


According to a statement from the company, currently, more than half of the brewery’s raw materials are sourced locally. It also said that for the past three years, Meta has pioneered local sourcing in the Ethiopian beer industry, being the first multinational brewery to engage in the contract farming of barley through its “Partnership for Agricultural Growth in Ethiopia.”
“Together with partners such as the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture, Technoserve, Syngenta, BASF, Nyala Insurance, and local distributors, Meta has contracted 6,113 farmers across Arsi, West Arsi and South West Shewa Zones of Ethiopia and works with 5 farmer unions and 39 farmer cooperatives as part of this contract farming agreement.”
By 2016, the brewery plans to engage 10,000 smallholder farmers, increasing this number to 20,000 by 2017.
Francis Agbonlahor, Meta Abo Brewery’s Managing Director, stated that, “’Diageo continues to demonstrate its long term commitment to the socio-economic development of Ethiopia. Locally sourcing 100% of our raw material needs is a major milestone on this journey and I am deeply proud about the phenomenal progress we have made thus far.” I am looking forward to continuing to partner and collaborate with the Government of Ethiopia, our numerous farmers, and our key partners to deliver even greater successes in the years to come.”
The scope of Meta’s work in local sourcing addresses many aspects of the supply chain, including barley varieties, seed availability, input sourcing and mechanization. All farmers that Meta contracts receive a comprehensive “Meta Package” that includes seeds, DAP and Urea fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, training and crop insurance which is pre-financed by Meta and repaid by farmers after they sell their harvested barley. In addition to these inputs, capability building is carried out for farmer groups, cooperatives and unions in the areas in which farmers are contracted.
Meta’s local sourcing work is part of Diageo Africa’s strategy to source at least 70% of raw materials locally by 2015 and an even greater percentage by 2017.
“The brewery’s pledge to sourcing locally is a key piece of Meta’s overarching strategy of growth and sustainability in Ethiopia. One pillar of this strategy is investment in the communities in which it operates,” the company said. The business is also committed to promoting responsible drinking, most recently launching the first fully-fledged Don’t Drink & Drive campaign in Ethiopia, Shoom Shufair. On a global level, Diageo was one of the 13 leading global producers of beer, wine and spirits to sign the “CEO Commitments” to implement the World Health Organization’s global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with a collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Meta Beer, and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).

http://addisstandard.com/meta-abo-brewery-to-source-all-cereal-raw-materials-in-ethiopia-locally/ 

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Ethiopia to invest US$1.4bn in petroleum pipeline project

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Ethiopia would spend US$1.4bn to build a petroleum pipeline from the Port of Djibouti to a storage facility in order to reduce the cost of transportation in the country

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The petroleum pipeline project is expected to take two years to construct.

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According to the government of Ethiopia, the 550 km of pipeline would carry oil directly from the vessels at the port to a storage facility in Awash. The trucks would then distribute fuel from Awash to the rest of the country including Addis Ababa.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) confirmed that the proposal had been submitted and they would look into it before discussing it further with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Ministry of Transport (MoT).

Demelash Alamaw, assistant CEO at Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise, said, “In 2013 Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise imported 2.6mn tonnes of fuel. In 2014 it has plans to import 2.9mn tonnes.”

The Djibouti government noted that the current port infrastructure is not big enough to meet Ethiopia’s long-term needs. Currently, the demand for refined fuels in Ethiopia is growing at 10 per cent per year.

http://www.oilreviewafrica.com/downstream/downstream/ethiopia-to-invest-us-1-4bn-for-pipelines

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 Press 4 for fertilizer – M-farming in Ethiopia

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ADDIS ABABA, 3 December 2014 (IRIN) -

One reason farmers in Africa mostly produce so much less than those in other parts of the world is that they have limited access to the technical knowledge and practical tips that can significantly increase yields. But as the continent becomes increasingly wired, this information deficit is narrowing.

While there are other factors, such as poor infrastructure and low access to credit and markets, that have helped keep average yields in Africa largely unchanged since the 1960s, detailed and speedily-delivered information is now increasingly recognized as an essential part of bringing agricultural production levels closer to their full potential.

In Ethiopia, which already has one of the most extensive systems in the world for educating the 85 percent of the population who work the land for a living, this recognition has driven the development of a multilingual mobile phone-based resource centre.

The hotline, operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, and Ethio Telecom, and created by the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), has proved a huge hit. Since its July launch and still in its pilot phase, more than three million farmers in the regions of Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) have punched 8028 on their mobiles to access the system, which uses both interactive voice response (IVR) and SMS technology.

“On average we get approximately 226 new calls and 1,375 return calls per hour into the system,” Elias Nure, the information communication technology project leader at ATA, told IRIN. When the number of lines doubles from the current 90, he said, “these numbers should significantly increase.”

More than 70 percent of users are smallholder farmers, he said.

Timely, accurate information

Ethiopia has the largest agricultural extension system in sub-Saharan Africa, the third largest in the world after China and India, according to the UN Development Programme.

This system has led to the establishment of about 10,000 Farmer Training Centres, and trained at least 63,000 field extension workers, also known as development agents. It facilitates information exchange between researchers, extension workers and farmers.

However, the reliance on development agents means that sometimes agronomic information reaches farmers too late or is distorted.

Push and pull factors

The agriculture hotline was proving popular due to its “pull” and “push” factors, according to ATA’s chief executive officer, Khalid Bomba.

Farmers could pull out practical advice, while customized content could be pushed out, such as during pest and disease outbreaks, to different callers based on the crop, or geographic or demographic data captured when farmers first registered with the system.

Recently, it warned registered farmers about the threat posed by wheat stem rust.

“These alerts and notifications were not available to smallholder farmers in the past and could greatly benefit users of the system by getting access to warnings in real-time,” said ATA’s Elias.

According to Tefera Derbew, Ethiopia’s minister of agriculture, ATA should boost its content to meet more needs.

“The IVR system offers users information relevant to the key cereals and high value crops, but I envisage that in the near future there will be the opportunity to upscale the service to include content relevant to all of the major agricultural commodities in the country, including livestock,” said Tefera.

The hotline currently focuses on cereal crops such as barley, maize, teff, sorghum and wheat, but plans are under way to provide agricultural advice on other crops, such as sesame, chickpea, haricot beans and cotton, while incorporating farmers’ feedback on needs.

For Ayele Worku, a teff farmer in Gurage zone of Ethiopia’s SNNPR State, the system’s benefits outweigh the frustrations of a patchy mobile network.

“The way of farming, especially for row-planting for teff is kind of new for me although I heard rumours about its advantage a while ago,” he told IRIN.

This break with tradition in the way teff is sown has seen yields increase by up to 75 percent.

An agricultural extension and rural development expert working at Addis Ababa University, Seyoum Ayalew, said: “The new service could build a synergy with the previous approaches of the public extension system, which is largely based on trickle down approach of communication.”

Seyoum noted that within the traditional extension system, “where information passes through different channels before reaching the farmers, [it] is subjected to distortion through filtering and translation errors.”

http://www.irinnews.org/report/100911/press-4-for-fertilizer-m-farming-in-ethiopia

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Eurobonds and potash will boost Ethiopia and Africa’s food security

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Ethiopia issued a dollar based bond to fund its development goals focused on increasing agricultural production, power generation and transportation infrastructure including the 6,000 megawatt Millennium Dam hydroelectricity project on a Nile river tributary. Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan will be handling the sale of the ten year bond (yielding 6.75%).

Ethiopia has been Africa’s fastest growing economy for the past few years; it follows in the lead of other African countries that have issue similar bonds (Eurobonds) recently, including Kenya, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ghana. Ethiopia’s bond issue reflects both the scope of its development ambitions – needing to raise at least USD$ 50 billion before the end of the decade to complete its development targets – and foreign investors’ growing interest in the country and Africa in particular. The Millennium Dam is seen as crucial to boosting agriculture in Ethiopia as well as some of its neighbors such as South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda. Indeed, Ethiopia has taken full responsibility for funding the Millennium Dam in order to establish greater control over the flow of the Nile waters and its power will allow Ethiopia to become a regional hydro-electricity hub.

It was exactly 30 years ago when the world learned of a terrible famine in Ethiopia, which also included present day Eritrea at the time prompting worldwide relief campaigns punctuated by songs like ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ and ‘We are the World’. Much has changed today: Ethiopia is home to the third largest agricultural industry on the African continent and it is on track to achieve food security. Despite the huge challenge of expanding agriculture in a country that was not long ago on the brink of famine to ‘Africa’s bread basket’ is a huge challenge but thanks to farming method innovations and research, the country will, in the very near future, achieve food security. But Ethiopia’s ambitions reflect the wider agricultural growth phenomenon that has been occurring throughout Africa, which have been fueling the enthusiasm of local populations and private investors alike. With increasing urbanization and an exponential growth of the middle class, the African food market just waiting to grow and is expected to triple by 2030 according to a study by the World Bank in 2013. There is also a growing food deficit between demand and regional supply, which has contributed to interest in agriculture. Ethiopia and Africa will gains benefits in development and wealth creation along with agricultural best practices, better yield per hectare, and more intense trade links to developed countries. Recently a US private equity fund (KKR & Co) has made its first investment in Ethiopia.

The international investment and financing such as today’s aforementioned bond issue will help to address the technical challenges to agriculture throughout Africa as multiple land expansion projects are being planned all over the continent.  Thus, the enthusiasm of the private equity companies for Sub-Saharan Africa is accelerating, agriculture appears as a natural investment sector. An international law firm, Freshfields, has pointed out that agriculture investments in Africa have increased by 137% in the first half 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, facilitated by improving political risk and easier transactions. It should be reminded that Africa is huge, covering the second largest area after Asia, holing the second largest population. Moreover, the UN has noted that Africa has 17% of the world’s arable land and agriculture accounts for more than 20% of the Continent’s GDP. Farming now occupies 60% of the workforce in Africa.

African agriculture has tremendous growth potential because the continent still has many reserves of uncultivated land, counting 226 million arable land but being able to reach almost 500 million. Much of Africa is well irrigated and the climate is favorable to the production of maize, soya and sugar cane. The Chinese are well aware of this potential and have signed leases in the long term, using already 2-3% of the resources and Ethiopia is one of their leading targets. Africans will need more arable land and implement agriculture to increase food production yields. Production costs are low and the workforce is young and plentiful. If over the past 15 years, it has been Brazilian agriculture’s turn to shine, now is the time of Africa and it is estimated that the continent will become a net exporter of corn and soybeans in the next ten years. Other cereals include barley, sorghum, cotton, sugar cane, groundnut, millet and cassava. However, investment in infrastructure is not enough. African agricultures needs the right soil and productivity to flourish.

Potash and other mineral fertilizers are one of the keys to the Continent’s agricultural growth strategy. To this effect, Allana Potash (TSX: AAA | OTCQX: ALLRF) could become one of the largest potash producers in Africa thanks to a promising project in Ethiopia, addressing domestic, African and Asian potash demand. The Horn of Africa, from where Allana’s potash will be shipped, is strategically located to serve India, China and more importantly, all of the markets where potash demand is rising fastest such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos – all countries featuring potash intensive palm oil production. But it is Africa, where potash consumption, now among the lowest in the world, is slated to increase the most. Ethiopia alone will guarantee significant sales for Allana. Indeed, Ethiopia, which is home to some 90 million inhabitants, has ambitious economic growth plans and agriculture is its highest priority given that some 85 percent of the people work in that sector.

There is room for growth because most agricultural production revolves around a vast number of small rural areas with operations smaller than one hectare. Now, there are 12.5 million hectares of arable land in Ethiopia but the potential is 50 million hectares. The country has already sought international cooperation to help improve land productivity and make fallow land available for farmers. There is no more effective way to achieve this process than through a greater use of potash, which is essential to increasing yields and providing the kind of nutrients that African soils are known to lack. In the 1960’s-70’s, the use of mineral fertilizers grew considerably in Latin America while dropping in Africa. Not surprisingly, those decades (and until now) saw various famines in Africa, while food production increased in Latin America. Now, the International Fertilizer Industry Association suggests that African potash use could reach five million tons over the next few years. It is now not even close to a million tons. Allana is edging ever closer to production phase having been granted all relevant mining permits from the Ministry of Mines of Ethiopia; its strategy is to help develop and expand the mineral fertilizer market in Ethiopia and Africa in general – even if the initial focus will be East Africa. The African continent presents tremendous market potential for mineral fertilizers and potash in particular, given that it has the potential to attract 880 billion dollars of investment in agriculture by 2030, which will drive demand for products such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and machinery as Africa develops its own production of biofuel, grain refinement and food.

http://investorintel.com/potash-phosphate-intel/eurobonds-potash-will-boost-ethiopia-africas-food-security/ 

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Will A Eurobond Boost Ethiopian Food Security?

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By Dana Sanchez Published: December 8, 2014

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Teff field, Ethiopia Thinkstock

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Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan will handle the sale of a 10-year, dollar-based Ethiopian bond yielding 6.75 percent to fund increased agricultural production, power generation and transportation infrastructure, InvestorIntel reports.

Agriculture investments in Africa increased by 137 percent in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, thanks in part to improved political risk and easier transactions, according to international law firm, Freshfields,

Ethiopia has been Africa’s fastest growing economy for the past few years, according to InvestorIntel. It follows the lead of other African countries that issued similar bonds (Eurobonds) recently, including Kenya, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ghana.

Ethiopia’s bond issue reflects both growing interest of foreign investors in the country and Africa, and the scope of its development ambitions, according to the report. The country needs to raise at least $50 billion USD before the end of the decade to complete its development targets.

Ethiopia has taken full responsibility for funding the Millennium Dam, considered crucial for boosting agriculture in Ethiopia as well as some of its neighbors such as South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda. This will give Ethiopia greater control over the flow of the Nile. Its power will allow Ethiopia to become a regional hydro-electricity hub.

Ethiopia is home to the third largest agricultural industry on the African continent, according to InvestorIntel. Not long ago the country was plagued by famine. Now it’s on track to achieve food security thanks to farming method research and innovation.

But Ethiopia’s ambitions reflect the wider agricultural growth occurring throughout Africa, which has been fueling private investors. The African food market is expected to triple by 2030 with exponential growth of the middle class and increasing urbanization, according to a 2013 World Bank study.

U.S. private equity fund KKR & Co recently made its first investment in Ethiopia.

International investment and financing such as the bond issue will help address the technical challenges to agriculture throughout Africa, according to InvestorIntel. Enthusiasm is growing among private equity companies for Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture appears to be a natural investment sector.

 http://afkinsider.com/81039/will-eurobonds-boost-ethiopian-food-security/

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Insurance for Ethiopian herders aims to combat drought, conflict – TRFN

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YABELO, Ethiopia - Nomadic livestock herders in Ethiopia have received their first payout from an insurance scheme that tracks poor pasture conditions with satellite technology.

Ethiopia has difficulty drawing full advantage from its livestock resources – the largest in Africa – because of the unreliability of pasture and water caused by persistent drought.

The new insurance scheme, known as index-based livestock insurance, aims to reduce losses, support pastoral communities, and lower the risk of conflict sparked by pastoralists migrating into agricultural areas in search of forage or water.

Coverage has been sold since July 2012 in southern Ethiopia’s Borena zone by Oromia Insurance Company (OIC), with technical assistance from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), U.S.-based Cornell University, and Mercy Corps, an international development organisation. Just over 500 pastoralists took up coverage initially.

The scheme was based on an earlier insurance effort rolled out in 2010 in neighbouring Marsabit region in northern Kenya, said Andrew Mude, principal economist at ILRI in Nairobi.

There, payouts were based on livestock deaths. But “the (experience) we had with the Kenyan programme was that some animals are more hardy than others, and so (with) differential mortality rates … (it) was a bit complex,” Mude said.

The insurance offered by OIC in Ethiopia instead offers coverage based on the actual scarcity of the herders’ forage, rather than the mortality rate of their livestock.

HOW IT WORKS

The insurance uses NASA satellite data to look at forage availability in the Borena zone. Experts from ILRI and Cornell University compare current images with historical data from the past 30 years.

“We provide the technical expertise to understand how to use the information from satellites on the state of forage on the ground,” Mude said.

The timing and amount of insurance payouts are then calculated based on the severity of the lack of forage.

OIC’s insurance will pay out up to 6,000 Ethiopian birr ($300) for a cow, 10,000 birr ($500) for a camel, and 800 birr ($40) for a sheep or goat annually. Pastoralists pay premiums averaging about 7.5 percent of the value of the maximum payout.

If forage levels become scarce compared to the index based on the historical satellite data, the herder receives compensation, even if no livestock have been lost.

In response to poor forage conditions, OIC made its first payout to all the insured holders, totalling 570,000 birr ($28,300), at the beginning of November this year at a ceremony in Yabelo, a town 565 km (353 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa.

Mude said that although livestock is the key productive asset and source of income for pastoralists, the novelty of insurance in this remote region initially made it difficult to sell.

ILRI spent two years researching the needs of the Borena zone herders before formally launching the insurance.

A further challenge is how to assess the damage suffered by policyholders when dealing with a mobile population.

Mude explained that an important feature of the insurance is that pastoralists remain covered even if they migrate out of the woredas (districts) where they are insured, since migration itself implies that there is a severe lack of forage. Compensation is therefore calculated based on the area where they were initially insured.

Wondimu Beteyo, a pastoralist who received a payout for his cattle and goats, says that until recently he had to trek several days for pasture and water. Now, he says, the money he has received will allow him to replenish the cattle he lost during the recent drought.

Dono Kotelo, from Teltale woreda, insured his two goats and two cattle for a total of 1,048 birr ($50) after learning about the insurance scheme. Although none of his animals died, because he migrated to find pasture, he received a payout of 192 birr ($10) for costs associated with the dry season and said he plans to buy insurance again for the coming year.

LOWERING CONFLICT RISK?

Getaneh Eerena, a livestock insurance officer at the micro-insurance department of OIC, said that in the long run the programme is not just about financial payments but about avoiding conflicts.

“The area tends to have high conflict incidence, both within (the) pastoralist community and against agricultural communities,” Eerena said.

Kotelo, the herder, said his Borena community used to cross into the land of agricultural communities when their own pastures were exhausted, often leading to deadly clashes.

Mude and Eerena said their organisations planned to extend the insurance scheme eventually across the country.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/12/05/ethiopia-insurance-idINL6N0TP1GW20141205

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Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Addis Ababa, Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Potash, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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Crop Loss Tackling Under Whelms

Dereje Digaffe (above, pictured) was winnowing the raw wheat to separate the grain from the chaff, winnowing is part of crop processing during the port harvest season, and it is locally called mabearyet.

By FASIKA TADESSE
Fortune staff writer

Depending heavily on annual rainfall, the farming community of Ada’a Woreda have grown teff, wheat, lentils and beans, for both commercial and home consumption purposes for generations.

The scene marks the start of the post-harvest season, which happens once a year in these parts of Ada’a Woreda, which extends from Dukem to Bishoftu (Debre Zeit).

Farmers had already started threshing their crops when Fortune visited parts of the woreda on Tuesday December 2, 2014. Threshing, locally known as wukia, takes place on the wudema, a piece of land cleaned and coated with cow dung.

That Tuesday many farmers had gone to attend the funeral of a village elder. But the two brothers, Dereje and Asnake Digaffe, 26 and 28 years old, were busy with the wukia of their wheat crop, which they had grown on one qert, a quarter of a hectare of land. They expected to get five to seven quintals of wheat.

“Our main challenge is wastage during the threshing, as the wudma is too small,” said Dereje, the younger brother, who started farming with his father six years ago, after failing the eighth grade national exam.

Post-harvest steps include harvesting, handling, storage, processing, packing and transportation of the grain. Of the crops, teff suffers the most wastage during the process. Up to 26pc is lost, with maize following losing 23.3pc. Barley and bean lose 18.9pc and 19.6pc, respectively, according to Central Statistics Agency (CSA) data. The loss of wheat is 13.8pc and sorghum loses just 10.9pc.

The production of cereals and pulses has increased from 211 million quintal in 2010/11 to 222 million quintals the following year. Last year 240 million quintals was produced.

During the current fiscal year, 14.1 million hectares of land was cultivated with cereal and pulses, with an expectation of 280 million quintals of crop being produced. Teff has the major share, with 3.2 million hectares and an expected yield of 44.2 million quintals, while maize follows with two million hectares and an expected yield of 65 million quintals. Wheat comes next, with 1.6 million hectares and an expected yield of 39.3 million quintals.

“Beyond the small plot used for processing, high wind and the animals are major reasons for the waste,’’ said Dereje. “The oxen used in the process eat the crop and they push the crop out from the Wudema.”

“The major problem is that post-harvest technology has been given little emphasis, both by farmers and the government,’’ says research by Shemels Admasu, a food technologist with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).

A sense of disappointment at the post-harvest losses is also felt by Worku Mekonen, 74, a father of 10 who had been farming a 1.5ha land in Hude Kebele, located approximately two kilometres off the main Addis Abeba-Djibouti road.

Worku is one of the farmers in Hude Kebele of Ada’a Woreda, in the East Shoa zone of Oromia Regional State. The kebele has an estimated population of 4,412, according to the Kebele’s administration. The farming community makes up 865 households, of which 182 are female-led. Farmers in Hude have as much as a couple of hectares of land. Many have one or two qert, and rent additional plots to produce ada’a magna teff, a type of teff that the community claims is better.

“The regional agricultural bureau is doing nothing for us to control crop waste during the post-harvest. They are supporting during the pre-harvest and harvest seasons by providing us improved seeds, fertilisers and assistance,’’ said Worku.“As I am too old, I would like to have simple machines to process crops to take less time and power.’’

“We advise the farmers to avoid losses,’’ said Belay Chala, a Development Agent (DA) in the Hude Kebelle, admitting that there was little support for reducing the losses.

During the current fiscal year the government made supports for the farmers in the pre harvest and harvest season. It distributed 8.5 million quintals of fertiliser, 841,000ql of improved seeds and 33,000 pieces of equipment that help the farmers sow seeds and 2,000 other pieces of equipment that help farmers put fertilisers in the farm. However, the Ministry only provides farmers with training in the post-harvest season.

“The main solution to avoid losses during the post-harvest is to motivate farmers to use modernised equipment, such as a harvesting combiner,’’ said Tesfaye Mengste, director general for Agriculture Extension Services at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).

Tesfaye mentioned that the 500 combiners owned by private investors could be used by farmers. These owners charge farmers 45 Br to 69 Br per quintal for processing. The price varies depending on the areas and the owners of the combiners.

According to the MoA, in the current harvest season 13.1 million hectares of land has been cultivated by 13 million farmers. From the total crop, 60pc has already been harvested; the remaining 40pc is expected to be harvested by the end of December, 2014.

The current harvest season is expected to show an increase in yield of 20pc from the last fiscal year, according to both the MoA and the CSA. This forecast is a source of hope for some farmers in the Hude Kebelle who are frustrated by crop loss during the post-harvest season. The Ministry is expecting 300 million quintals of major crops, exceeding last year’s total yield of 254 million quintals.

On the same day on December 2, 2014 in Mendello Kebele Alemnesh Girma, another farmer with two children, was assisting her teenage relative. She showed her relative, Habtamu Asalefe, how he should let the oxen walk on the wheat, one way used by the farmers to separate the crop and the waste. They were processing wheat they had collected from one qert, which takes three days. On average, the traditional process takes four days for wheat and seven days for teff that is collected from one qert.

Alemnesh has been farming with her husband for the last 13 years on the two qert plot of land which her husband inherited from his family. In addition to the two qerts, they rented eight additional qerts and harvested teff and wheat. She was assisting Habtamu because her husband, Addisu Worqu, was sowing teff on their farm early, as the National Meteorology Agency warns farmers to collect their crops early because weather forecasts had shown there will be rain by the end of December.

“The loss occurs during the transportation of the crop from the farm land to the storage area where it is processed,’’ she said. “Past experience has shown us between 30Kg and 50Kg of crop collected from one qert is wasted during processing.’’

The MoA deployed Farmer Training Centres (FTC) at all kebeles with three agents specialised in natural resource, crop and livestock to assist and train the farmers individually, and in groups, before, during and after the harvest season.

“A great effort is needed to generate technology that minimises losses,’’ suggests Shemels.

An expert from, the Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO) shared Shemels’s view that “the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), the autonomous body of the government under the MoA, should work on the development of small equipment that can help the farmers process crops in a shorter time while avoiding loss,’’ he said.

Sourced here  http://addisfortune.net/columns/crop-loss-tackling-under-whelms/


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Financing Africa’s massive projects

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Innovative bankrolling gains popularity and raises high hopes among key countries
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An artist’s impression of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.   Photo: www.grandmillenniumdam.net
An artist’s impression of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.   
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It is an audacious $4.8 billion project undertaken by one of the world’s poorest countries.  At the construction site in the Benishangul region of Ethiopia near the Sudanese border, some 8,500 workers are labouring tirelessly every day to build the gigantic Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. When completed in 2017, the dam will generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity for domestic consumption and export. 

On the surface, the 558 ft tall dam — Africa’s biggest hydropower project — belies Ethiopia’s financial muscle. The GDP per capita in Ethiopia is only $475. The late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who laid the foundation stone in 2011, said the dam would be built without begging for money from donors. Since then, construction has progressed steadily using money from local taxes, donations and government bonds. Ethiopians abroad and at home contributed the first $350 million, with government workers contributing amounts equivalent to a month of their salaries.

Semegnew Bekele, an Ethiopian construction engineer working on the dam, told The Guardian, a British newspaper: “Ordinary people are building an extraordinary project.” Development experts now showcase the dam as proof of an innovative approach to project financing. “Approximately $450 million has been raised from Ethiopians to help build the dam and I think the target is probably a billion dollars,” says Zemedeneh Negatu, managing partner at Ernst & Young Ethiopia, a financial consulting firm.

Ethiopians, private companies and even other countries such as Djibouti are buying bonds. In addition, the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, a state-owned utility, is investing its own revenue and the money it is borrowing from state-owned banks. Economists warn that using private sector finance to pay for the dam could slow Ethiopia’s economic growth in the future. But the government counters that this will be offset by selling electricity to countries in East Africa, a region with improving economic growth.

Ethiopia’s recipe for financing the dam from bonds and taxes is being touted as a model for other African countries. This East African country uses a computerised system to track and collect taxes, making evasion difficult. The government regularly carries out awareness campaigns to explain taxation and publicize what collected taxes are funding such as the dam.

Dismantling tax havens

Ethiopia’s financing approach, including taxes, is just one of the emerging ways of funding projects in Africa. Other countries on the continent are working towards similar initiatives. Africa currently collects about 27% of its GDP in taxes, which is insufficient to fund infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.

At the Ninth African Development Forum in Marrakesh, Morocco, last October, Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neve of Cape Verde explained that Africa could receive more tax revenues with “good governance and transparency in the management of public finances.”  Many of the 700 delegates at the conference, which was organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), including some African heads of state, private sector and civil society representatives, discussed innovative ways of financing Africa’s projects. They urged African governments to laser-focus on tax havens where some multinational companies keep their money.

Tax havens, which are places where taxes are markedly low, are a part of the broader problem of illicit financial flows (IFFs) from Africa, an issue that has lately drawn scrutiny. In 2013, for instance, ActionAid, an international non-government organization focusing on poverty, launched a global campaign to stop Barclays, a British bank, from promoting tax havens in Africa. By “helping your clients set up operations in tax havens like Mauritius, you are part of a system that is draining vital public funds out of the continent each year,” ActionAid warned the bank. Barclays denied it encourages business set-ups in tax havens.

Magnets for investors

Africa loses between $50 billion and $148 billion annually to IFFs, according to a 2013 ECA report titled: The State of Governance in Africa: The Dimension of Illicit Financial Flows as a Governance Challenge. Tracking and stopping “illicit financial flows is not just a moral imperative, it is a good input for transformative policies,” said Carlos Lopes, ECA’s executive secretary, in an interview with Africa Renewal held at the conference. IFFs include under-invoicing, over-pricing, double duties, disguised profits and the use of tax havens.

In tones that were at times urgent and angry, some speakers at the Marrakesh conference maintained that while Africa could still accept aid and encourage foreign direct investments, these should not be the main sources of finance. Africa’s vast natural resources such as gold, platinum, diamonds, chromite, copper, coal, cobalt, iron ore and uranium — 12% of the world’s oil reserves and arable land and forests — will continue to be magnets for investors. The rate of return on investment in Africa today, even adjusting for real and perceived risks, is higher than in any other developing region, according to an ECA report.

Private equity firms forage 

Mr. Lopes is optimistic about Africa’s private sector investment prospects. “Africa might have finally found a way to whet the appetite of private equity investors,” he says, adding: “The reality is that Africa cannot rely on development aid for its transformation agenda, so its appetite is moving towards private investment and domestic resource mobilization.” The message sounds good except that, again, tax loopholes are spanners in the works. In response, Mr. Lopes is arguing for an African common market to harmonize disparate regulatory systems and discourage companies from exploiting both the loopholes and the tax havens.

Private equity funding, which is when rich individuals or institutions inject capital into a company and acquire equity ownership, can be lifelines for companies gasping for cash. Yet, ten years ago, it wasn’t even well known in Africa, according to the ECA. But in the second quarter of 2013 alone, 164 firms secured $124 billion private equity capital, according to Preqin, a firm that tracks private equity trends.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) states that between 2010 and 2011, investment deals in Africa increased from $890 million to $3 billion. In 2012, institutional investors injected $1.14 billion in Africa-focused private equity funds, according to African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, an organization that promotes private investments in Africa.  For example, Ethos Private Equity, a South African firm, alone received $900 million from equity funds.

The AfDB has also jumped on the private equity bandwagon, launching a pan-African facility to support the development of women fund managers. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, the bank’s special envoy on gender, told Africa Renewal that the idea is about looking at “innovative policies because current models are not inclusive.” Africa’s approximately one billion population and a combined consumer spending power that will rise to over $1.3 trillion by 2020, according to McKinsey, a global management consulting firm, makes the continent a tantalizing prospect for private equity funders.

Pension funds pool money from workers to be paid upon retirement and are particularly useful for long-term investments. During tough financial times, pension funds can be handy to augment infrastructure expenditure, financial experts believe. David Ashiagbor, a consultant with the AfDB’s “Making Finance Work for Africa” project, says Africa’s pension funds currently hold $380 billion in assets, thanks to a decade of economic growth. Even then, only very few countries, including South Africa, have pension systems that are broad-based, relatively transparent and protect beneficiary rights. Another problem is that many pension funds lack credibility due to poor services to beneficiaries and mismanagement of funds, according to 27four, a South African firm that consults on managing retirement funds. Consequently, not every African country can rely on pension funds for projects.

Growing investments at home

Despite Africa’s socioeconomic challenges, Mr. Lopes remains optimistic. “I am also a realist,” he says, identifying three megatrends in Africa’s favour. “The first is the demographic one. It is true the rest of the world is aging and Africa is getting younger. The second is the hard commodities in Africa once you take out oil and gas. The third is Africa’s reservoir of productivity through unused arable land.”

Cristina Duarte, Cape Verde’s finance and planning minister, who has announced her candidacy for the AfDB’s presidency, says Africa must keep trying to grow investment at home, adding: “How can we convince others to invest in our continent and in our development if we are not doing the same to the full extent of our ability?”  Still, the current project financing picture in Africa is mixed: Ethiopia’s fast-moving dam construction is a success story compared with a trans-West African highway that is yet to be completed 40 years after it was conceived. At the Marrakesh Development Forum, however, the palpable feeling was that Africa is entering a new dawn of innovative financing.

Sourced here  http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2014/financing-africa%E2%80%99s-massive-projects


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19 December 2014 News round-Up

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Investment: Made in Ethiopia

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By Jacey Fortin in Addis Ababa
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Almeda Textiles benefits from low overhead costs, but is limited by challenging logistics. Photo©USAID AE TRADE HUB

Almeda Textiles benefits from low overhead costs, but is limited by challenging logistics.

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Low costs attract investors, but there are many obstacles to the country’s industrialisation.The Ethiopian government is pouring resources into industrialisation in an effort to break into global markets.

In the near future, everybody will produce the right products to fit the international market

But, in a country where manufacturing accounts for only 4.2% of gross domestic product, challenges loom large.

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Ethiopia’s largest garment producer, Almeda Textiles, imports machinery from Asia and chemicals from Europe, says general manager Libelo Gebreslassie.

It then exports finished garments to retailers like H&M of Sweden, KiK Textilien of Germany and Steve Horne Enterprise of the US.

“The very important thing is support from the government,” Libelo says.

“Even though there are a lot of problems, this is the reason why international investors are coming.”

He adds that Almeda faces obstacles including low-quality domestic cotton, the high cost of imported chemicals and low managerial capacity.

Ethiopia’s ability to break into global value chains is inhibited by difficult trade logistics, power shortages, red tape and a lack of access to credit.

The country’s advantages include low costs – labour, land leases and electricity are relatively cheap – and duty-free machinery imports and duty-free access to Western markets, according to Lars Moller, the World Bank’s lead economist in Ethiopia.

“Ethiopia’s image as an investment destination has improved tremendously in recent years, which is positive and is supporting the trend of an increased number of companies investing here,” Moller explains.

“But it will take a while before this will transform the economy.”

Foreign-owned firms, including Chinese leather producers and Turkish textile factories, are indispensable to Ethiopia’s industrial sector.

Locally owned businesses hope to gain more market share.

“Everybody is aware that we have a good opportunity, and in order to utilise this opportunity, we have to change internally,” Libelo says.

“In the near future, everybody will produce the right products to fit the international market.”

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/investment-made-in-ethiopia.html

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Yara Dallol BV Potash Project – Environmental Impact Assessment

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- Yara ESIA provides details that may well apply to pending Allana Potash PEA and subsequent SOP production

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Yara Dallol BV Potash Project

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Yara International (Yara) is a chemical company that specialises in the manufacture of agricultural products and environmental agents including fertiliser products (such as potash). To support this Yara has started a subsidiary company called Yara Dallol BV, which is involved in the exploration and development of potash minerals in the Danakil Depression of Ethiopia. Yara Dallol BV is also working together with Novopro Projects Inc. (Novopro), a Canadian Project Development and Management Company, to develop a potash mine and production unit.

The proposed Project is located in the Danakil Depression in the Afar region, Zone 2 of the Dallol Woreda.

Before proceeding Yara Dallol BV must conduct an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to assess how the proposed Project is likely to affect the local natural environment and surrounding communities either positively or negatively. The ESIA process will also work to identify ways of minimizing any negative  impacts and maximizing benefits (positive impacts) related to the proposed Project. In addition the ESIA report will, further advise if and how the proposed Project can be developed in a sustainable manner, as well as assist the Ethiopian officials with the permitting process.

Documents

 

DRAFT ESIA

Non-Technical Summary (English)

Non-Technical Summary (Amharic)

PART 1 – DRAFT ESIA

Cover, sign off page, contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 – Project Description

Chapter 3 – Project Motivation

Chapter 4 – Project Alternatives

Chapter 5 – Institutional and Legal Framework of Ethiopia

Chapter 6 – The Environmental and Social Impact Assessmnets (ESIA) Process

Chapter 7 – Stakeholder Engagement

Chapter 8 – The Receiving Environmental – Physical and Biological Characteristics

Chapter 9 – The Receiving Environmental – Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Project Area

Chapter 10 – Assessment of Physical and Biological Impacts and Mititgation

Chapter 11 – Assessment of Social Impacts and Mitigation

Chapter 12 –  Cumulative Impacts

Chapter 13 – Environmental and Social Environment System

Chapter 14 – Conclusion

Chapter 15 – References

PART II

Annexure A – Scoping Report Approval Letter

Annexure B – Primary Baseline Study Methodologies

Annexure C – Stakeholder Engagement Programme

Annexure D – Study Specific Criteria for Assessing Impacts

Annexure E – Faunal List and Inventory of Cultural Heritage Sites

PART III

Annexure A – Air Quality Management Plan

Annexure B – Noise Management Plan

Annexure C – Biodiversity Management Plan

Annexure D – Emergency Response Plan

Annexure E – Integrated Mine Closure Plan

Annexure F – Spill Prevention Control and Containment Plan

Annexure G – Waste Mangement Plan

Annexure H – Water Management Plan

Annexure I – Cultural Heritage Management Plan

Annexure J – Community Health, Safety and Security Management Plan

Annexure K – In-mitigation Management Plan

Annexure L – Sourcing , Procurement and Recruitment Management Plan

Annexure M – Worker Management Plan

Background Information Document 

English (1Mb PDF)

Amharic (815Kb PDF)

Final Scoping Report

Chapters 1 – 4 (2Mb PDF)

Chapters 5 – 8 (3Mb PDF)

Chapters 9 – 13 (3Mb PDF)

Annex A (679Kb PDF)

Appendix A (151Kb PDF)

Appendix B1 (160Kb PDF)

Appendix B2 (3Mb PDF)

http://www.erm.com/Yara-Dallol-BV-Potash-Project-EIA 

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Addis Ababa metro set for completion in January

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By Aaron Maasho in Addis Ababa
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Ethiopia expects to complete the Chinese-backed construction of a $475 million metro rail system in the capital Addis Ababa next month, the head of the project said.

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The project, built by China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and mostly financed through a loan from China’s Exim Bank, is a rarity on a continent plagued by poor transport links.

Beijing is a major partner in Ethiopia’s bid to expand its infrastructure, with cumulative investments by Chinese firms reaching well over $1 billion, official figures show.

The Horn of Africa country is building a new rail link to neighbouring Djibouti and wants to complete 5,000 km of railway lines by 2020.

It will also aims to almost treble the size of the road network by next year, from less than 50,000 km in 2010.

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies, expanding by about 9 percent a year and attracting overseas investment with its with rock-bottom wages, cheap and stable electricity and transport projects such as the metro.

A country where many still rely on subsistence agriculture, Ethiopia is nonetheless developing a reputation for producing clothes, shoes and other basic goods that have attracted firms from China, as well as India and the Gulf.

The metro system will transform the lives of the more than 5 million people in the capital, where commuters currently wait in long queues before they are crammed onto buses and minivans.

Project manager Behailu Sintayehu told Reuters nearly 80 percent of the tracks had been laid and he expected it to be completed by the end of January 2015, three years after the plan was launched in January 2012.

“We believe that it will have a great impact in alleviating the problem of transportation in the city,” Behailu said.

Stretching for a combined 32 km, two lines dividing Addis Ababa north-south and east-west will serve 39 stations, in underground and overground sections.

The state-run Ethiopian Railways Corporation signed an agreement this month that will see Shenzhen Metro – the enterprise managing the Chinese city’s subway system – operate the lines for a period of 41 months alongside CREC.

CREC will carry out a trial phase of up to three months and then the teams will decide when to start operating the system, Ethiopian Railway Corporation’s spokesman Dereje Tefera said.

Other African capitals with either subway systems or light rail networks are Cairo, Algiers and Tunis. South Africa has an extensive system linking several cities.

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopia-addis-ababa-metro-set-for-completion-in-january.html

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Djibouti embarks on $9.8 billion mega projects

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By ANDUALEM SISAY in Addis Ababa

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Djibouti has announced embarking on several mega infrastructure projects with a total investment of $9.8 billion.

The cost of the projects is six times more than the tiny eastern Africa country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Djibouti is currently constructing $804 million multi-purpose and three specialized ports to be dedicated for export of livestock, and 4 million tons of potash export per year from Ethiopia and 6 million tons of industrial salt annually from Djibouti.

“Out of the $9 billion total investments for the 14 mega projects, we have already secured 58 per cent funding,” Mr Abubaker Mohamed Hadi, the Chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Trade Zone Authority (DPFTZA), told visiting journalists from Ethiopia.

The funds, he explained, are from China Exim Bank and the 23.5 shareholder of DPFTZA, China Merchants and other financers.

New airports

Currently, most of Ethiopia’s $13 billion import and $3 billion export goods come and exit through Djibouti port.

In addition to Ethiopia, which has become a major client of the Djibouti port following the 1998 Ethiopia-Eritrea War, Djibouti also plans to expand its services to South Sudan.

“…Of the 17 landlocked countries in Africa, 10 are in our region,” Mr Hadi said, explaining the prudence of investing in the mega infrastructure projects.

The other mega projects in the country with less than one million people, include new airports, national shipping company and an airline, crude oil terminal, development of business districts and $3 billion natural gas refinery.

The $525 million Doraleh Multipurpose Port is expected to be completed in the two years.

When complete, the old Port of Djibouti will be converted to a business district, according to Mr Hadi.

Mr Hadi further noted that the investment also took into considerations the connectivity plan of Africa and integration of the continent.

He indicated that Ethiopia’s fast economic growth in recent years had helped Djibouti to grow by 5 per cent on average annually for the past five years.

http://www.africareview.com/News/Djibouti-embarks-on-mega-projects/-/979180/2551052/-/8bom5jz/-/index.html 

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NO ORDINARY MATTER: CONSERVING, RESTORING AND ENHANCING AFRICA’S SOILS (2014)

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Agriculture for Impact presented the new Montpellier Panel report ‘No Ordinary Matter: Conserving, Restoring and Enhancing Africa’s Soils’ on Thursday 4th December 2014 at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Rome- ahead of World Soil Day on the 5th of December.

In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 65 per cent of soils are degraded, and unable to nourish the crops the chronically food insecure continent requires. Poverty, climate change, population pressures and inadequate farming techniques are leading to a continuous decline in the health of African soils, whilst the economic loss is estimated at USD 68 billion per year. Conversely, better land management practices could deliver up to USD 1.4 trillion globally in increased crop production – 35 times the losses.

This report from the Montpellier Panel argues that if left unaddressed, the cycle of poor land management will result in higher barriers to food security, agricultural development for smallholder farmers and wider economic growth for Africa.

The report is a comprehensive analysis of land management in Africa today, and answers a series of critical questions:

  • Are donors and governments neglecting soil health in Africa?
  • What are the key approaches to restoring Africa’s soils?
  • How can improved land management tackle climate change in Africa?

Agriculture’s ability to catalyse rural development and eradicate poverty has been widely cited, with the World Bank claiming GDP growth from agriculture in Africa approximately 11 times more effective for reducing poverty than growth coming from any other sector. In 2006, the African Union’s Abuja declaration called for fertiliser use in sub-Saharan Africa to increase from today’s average of 8 kg/ha — the world’s lowest — to at least 50 kg/ha by 2015.  However, agriculture must be implemented sustainably in order for food security to be possible for future generations, therefore the panel calls for ‘Integrated Soil Management’; combining targeted and selected use of fertilisers alongside traditional methods such as application of livestock manure, intercropping with nitrogen-fixing legumes or covering farmland with crop residues.

The launch was opened by Kanayo Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development at the United Nations in Rome.

Director of Agriculture for Impact, Professor Sir Gordon Conway chaired the panel discussion – comprising David Radcliffe Senior Advsior for Development and Cooperation DG at the European Commission, Camilla Toulmin, Director of the IIED, and Henri Carsalade, Agropolis Foundation – before opening up the conversation to questions from the audience.

You can also click here to watch the recording of the event, courtesy of IFAD

http://ag4impact.org/news/no-ordinary-matter-conserving-restoring-and-enhancing-africas-soils-2014/

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Arup South Africa to Prepare Transit Oriented Development Master Plan for Addis Abeba Light Rail

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Arup South Africa has won the contract to prepare a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) master plan for ten of the key stations that are part of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system being built in Addis Abeba.

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The 34.24 km network, based on two initial lines, one running north-south from Menelik Square to Kaliti and the other running east-west from Ayat to Tor Hailoch is set for completion in January 2015, with 41 stations in all.

The network is designed to carry 15,000 passengers per hour per direction.

“We have been retained by the Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) to illustrate what activities, uses and yield can be created around the new stations within a 400 meter radius,” says Nico Venter, leader of Integrated Urbanism at Arup SA.

In a statement sent to Addis Standard, Arup further said that within this walkable node it needs to assess if each place and loci can accommodate appropriate use and bulk development. This forms part of the regeneration of a 125-year-old city with over 3 million people. Arup will visualize these nodes and illustrate potential future development, culminating in a broad based bankable approach, cognizant of costs and the catalytic potential these nodes could have on the city.

“This is a typical African city and each precinct has its own unique requirements and sense of place,” the statement said, adding the framework must therefore look to short, medium and long-term approaches that allow for flexibility and that can change over time as the node develops and matures.

“We have been requested to provide an independent view, using a multi-disciplinary approach, within a tight schedule of five months. We look forward to this task, as an exciting step forward in the future of city making,” said Venter.

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers and technical specialists that makes up the heart of the creative force of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment and industry.

http://www.wardheernews.com/ethiopia-arup-south-africa-prepare-transit-oriented-development-master-plan-addis-abeba-light-rail/

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 Ethiopia To Build Three New Airports At A Cost Of $64.5M

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By Kevin Mwanza

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Hawassa-Airport

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Ethiopia is set to expand its airport reach with construction of three airport runways in three major regional cites, with a capacity to host big jets like B737.

The Ethiopian Airports Enterprise (EAE) the state company tasked with expanding and supervising Ethiopia’s increasing airports signed a $68.5 million (1.37 billion Ethiopian Birr) with three local firms who won tenders for the construction of three airport runways, on December 11, 2014.

The Runways which will each have 2,500 meters length and 60 meters width, are part of the government’s drive to boost trade and tourism ties across the country for it’s next ambitious economic goal named Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP) set to start in end of 2015.

The most anticipated contract was the one for the southern city Hawassa, Ethiopia’s premier resort and tourism Hotspot as well as an industrial hub with a total cost $ 22.9 million. The contracting company is named Yotek Construction private Limited Company (PLC) with the supervisory form being Saba Engineering (Plc).

The second contract pertains to runway construction for another southern city Robe Goba, won by Akir Construction PlC for $ 24.7 million and to be supervised by Transport Construction Design Plc.

Robe is better known for its proximity to the UNESCO listed natural wonder the Sof Omer Cave system, and for being an agricultural belt of Ethiopia.

With The third project being in the Far North of the country near the city of Shire, to be constructed by Ethiopian Roads Construction Corporation (ERCC) and supervised by Transport Construction Design Plc at a cost $ 20.9 million.

The Third project hopes to utilize the mineral resources of the area especially gold which in that part of the country is heavily dominated by Artisanal mining.

http://afkinsider.com/81901/ethiopia-build-three-new-airports-cost-64-5m/

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Ericsson to take part of telecom deal after ZTE row

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Swedish telecom group Ericsson is set to sign a contract with Ethiopia to expand telecom infrastructure, taking a slice of an USD 800 million contract from Chinese firm ZTE Corp because of a row over terms, a senior official told Reuters on Thursday, Dec. 11.

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ZTE Corp’s deal with state-run operator Ethio Telecom was signed in 2013. The other half of the overall a USD 1.6 billion package to help double mobile subscribers was shared with another Chinese firm, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd.

But Ethiopian and ZTE differed over the cost of upgrading an existing network. Ethiopian officials said the firms were expected to carry out the upgrade at no extra charge, while ZTE said it would cost an additional USD 150 million to USD 200 million.

Ethiopian officials had said Nokia and Ericsson could take some work if agreement was not reached.

Ethio Telecom Chief Executive Officer, Andualem Admassie, told Reuters that discussions with Ericsson were nearing completion.

“Ericsson will start working on that share of expansion work,” he said, without giving a value for the deal. “We are only waiting for confirmation from the (Ethio Telecom) board.”

“Huawei is continuing its role,” he said, adding that ZTE would continue with some work. “ZTE have lost parts of their share but have made it clear they are willing to resume work, no matter what the current circumstances.”

Ericsson could not immediately be reached for comment.

The overall project aims to help the nation of more than 90 million people double mobile subscribers to 50 million in the next year and expand its 3G service.

The overall contract also includes a plan for Huawei to roll out a high-speed 4G network in Addis Ababa.

China has extended its economic influence in Africa in recent years, with state-owned firms winning road tenders in Kenya, signing deals for construction of energy projects in Uganda and running mining projects in various countries.

The USD 1.6 billion contract signed with the Chinese firms in Ethiopia had a long-term loan package to be paid over a 13-year period with interest of less than 1 percent, officials said.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2878-ericsson-to-take-part-of-telecom-deal-after-zte-row

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Israel Chemicals to invest $452m in Chinese phosphate company

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- Israel Chemicals will set up a joint venture with Yunnan Yuntianhua and hold a 15% stake in the Chinese company.

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Israel Chemicals Ltd. (NYSE: ICL; TASE: ICL) is to invest $452 million for 50% ownership of a joint venture that will operate a fully integrated, phosphate business in China. Israel Chemicals will also take a 15% strategic holding in Yunnan Yuntianhua, one of Asia’s leading producers of phosphate rock, which is traded on the Shanghai stock exchange with a market cap of $1.8 billion.

The joint venture will include a mine that produces 2.5 million tons of phosphate rock annually for the next 30 years, a downstream phosphate operation and a marketing and sales organization that primarily serves the Chinese and the Asian markets.

Israel Chemicals says that the strategic alliance will leverage its and Yunnan Yuntianhua’s technical, marketing and production expertise and will include a joint phosphate R&D platform in the Yunnan province to develop process improvement and new products for both partners.

Israel Chemicals says that it has identified significant expansion and synergy potential and the major thrust of the joint venture’s strategy will be its transformation from a commodity fertilizer company to a specialty player in agriculture, food Ingredients and engineered materials.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-chemicals-to-invest-452m-in-chinese-potash-venture-1000993990

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Ethiopia, Turkey keen to boost business ties

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Opening the second Ethio-Turkish Business Council Forum, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn called on more Turkish investment in the areas of development and finance, investment and bilateral trade with between the two countries. 

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Ethiopia, Turkey keen to boost business ties

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The Turkish delegation, numbering some 200, led by the country’s Minister of Economy, Nihat Zeybekci, discussed with its Ethiopian counterpart on means of bolstering investment relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Hailemariam said that his government has started negotiation with Turkey on the basis of financial freedom to attract more investment from the country.

“Turkey is one of the most reliable development partners the Government of Ethiopia has in its endeavors to extricate itself from poverty,” Hailemariam said during the opening of the forum at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The Prime Minister also urged the Turkish EX-IM Bank to finance projects in Ethiopia.

“There is still ample room for further expansion, in terms of volume and quality, of the development financing that the government of Turkey has been putting at our disposal [which nevertheless] has been increasing,” Hailemariam added.

On the occasion, the Turkish Minister of Economy, Zeybekci, made official the USD 300 million loan his country extended for the Awash-Woldiya Railway Project.

According to Yusuf Aydeniz, chairman of Ethio-Turkish Business Council, the ever growing investment and trade volume between the two countries has weighted over the last few years.

When the investment reached USD 1.6 billion, the largest Turkish investment in Africa, the trade volume jumped from USD 70 million to USD 450 million, Aydeniz said.

Solomon Afework, President of Ethiopian Chamber of the Commerce and Sectoral Associations, vowed to take the partnership with Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industries (TUSKON) forward by participating in the 9th International Turkish-African Congress which will be held next year in Istanbul, Turkey in April next year.

Back in August, the Ethiopian Investment Commission announced that Turkish Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Ethiopia is leading the group of emerging economies that have shown interest in investment opportunities in Ethiopia.

Although the Chinese lead in terms of number of companies that have invested in the country, the Turks lead others in combined capital outlay, the commission said.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2875-ethiopia-turkey-keen-to-boost-business-ties 

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Ethiopia, Kenya ink cross-border trade agreement

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The governments of Kenya and Ethiopia have signed an agreement that aims at creating opportunities for communities at the borders of the two countries, President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Wednesday adding that the agreement will create stability and security.

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Speaking at a farewell ceremony for Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Kenya, Shemsedin Ahmed, President Kenyatta assured the outgoing envoy that his government is determined to implement the special status agreement signed between the two countries.

On the recent terror attacks that took place in Kenya, the president said that his country is committed to winning the war and that his government will continue working with and borrow best practices from Ethiopia, which also neighbors Somalia.

“A busy person will have no time thinking of taking a gun to commit crime, rather he would be so committed to their businesses which he/she knows will ensure they get their daily livelihoods,” the president said.

The Ethiopian envoy condoled with the president and the people of Kenya following the recent terror massacre in Mandera saying the Ethiopian government will work closely with Kenya to ensure they root out the Al-Shabaab menace in the region.

He assured the president that his government is committed to the implementation of the agreement saying it will ensure security and stability within the region.

Ambassador Shemsedin said conflict between border communities has also contributed to border insecurity.

He said that the ongoing construction of Isiolo-Moyale road onwards to Ethiopia will facilitate economic growth and that the Ethiopian government is committed to enhancing border trade without much bureaucracy.

“Issues of currency will not matter when it comes to border trade. We will allow our people to trade freely with their neighbors with no restrictions,” Shemsedin said.

President Kenyatta said the agreement will not only accelerate the implementation of the infrastructural projects but also enhance relations between the peoples of the two countries.

“Everybody will gain; no one will lose in this agreement. This agreement will help our people move freely and develop together. It will help us move from government-to-government engagement to people-to-people relations,” Kenyatta said.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2876-ethiopia-kenya-ink-cross-border-trade-agreement


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, Djibouti, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, ICL, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1, Yara International Image may be NSFW.
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23 December 2014 Business News Briefs

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Voucher to Replace Cash Credit for Farmers

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Voucher, a system tested in a pliot project since 2012, is replacing cash-credit to farmers in some woredas

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The government is replacing cash credit to farmers in some woredas with vouchers for them to access fertiliser and improved seeds.

This system was tested in a pilot project, which began in 2012 in the Amhara Regional State, in Baso Liben, Gozamin, Debere Elias, South Achefer and Metecha woredas. It lead to the expected implementation within the coming three months in 73 woredas, half the woredas in the region, involving 2.2 million farming households. The intention is to improve smallholder farmers’ access to credit for agricultural inputs including fertilisers and improved seeds.

Formerly, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) provided the fund to the bureaus of finance and economic development, which passed the money to unions. The unions passed it to cooperatives, which in turn gave loans to farmers with a full guarantee provided by the bureaus of agriculture. The problem was that the cooperatives distributed the money without any measures to make sure that the farmers would pay it back, says Teshome Walle (PhD), head of Amhara Regional Bureau of Agriculture. This lead to defaults of 143 million Br, 471 million Br, and 447 million Br, in the three years from 2011/12, in Amhara region alone. The defaulted amount was “recovered” by cutting the budgets to the woredas, according to the amount of default within each jurisdiction.

Now the Amhara Credit and Savings Association (ACSI) will issue vouchers to the Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) under it. Farmers will only be able to get these vouchers – not cash-in order to get the inputs they need from cooperatives. The agriculture bureau will no longer provide guarantee, as that has now been replaced with a credit fund established at the ACSI. The farmers, too, will no longer have to start paying immediately, but get a grace period of a year, so that they can repay from the sale of their produce.

The MFI’s will issue the vouchers based on an assessment of the farmers seeking the loan, said Mekonen Yelewumwosen, CEO of ACSI. In 2013/14, the pilot woredas benefited from a credit supply of 196,000qt of fertilisers and seeds, worth 230 million Br, provided to them through the Agricultural Inputs Supply Corporation (AISCO), which is under the Minister of Agriculture(MTA). From total inputs distributed, 48pc was Urea, 42pc DAP, six percent NPS and three percent improved seeds, including teff, wheat, sorgum and maize.

Farmers in the pilot project paid back 99pc of the credit they had taken, said Mekonnen.

The existing practice gave cooperatives and unions five Br to 12 Br commission for every quintal of fertiliser. That has now been increased to 20Br in order to encourage them, said Tekeba Tebabal, deputy head of Amhara Corporative Promotion Agency.

The full project, to now be launched in the 73 woredas expects to extend loans amounting to 2.4 billion Br. ACSI will hire 4,280 workers to implement the project.

This project is supported by financial contributions from the Netherlands Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Development Canada.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/voucher-to-replace-cash-credit-for-farmers/

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Oil price decline lightens import bill

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Following a sharp decline in international oil prices, Ethiopia’s oil import bill for the current fiscal year is expected to go down by 600 million dollars, an estimated 21 percent of the overall import bill.

According to information obtained from the Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise, this year’s projected oil import bill is an overwhelming 2.9 billion dollars which accounts for 1/5 of an overall import bill. However, owing to the downward trend in the international oil market starting from June this year, the Enterprise has managed to gain some 400 million dollars after decrease in the costs of oil imports which it expects to grow even larger by the end of the year.

According to Demelash Alemu, an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Enterprise, this is a trend which has never been observed in Ethiopia in the past. Ethiopia’s oil import demand has shown a successive growth over the years where the bill increased by ten or twelve percent year after year. In light of the new trend in the international oil market, this year’s import bill is expected to be much lower than last year’s — 2.494 billion dollars — declining to 2.3 billion dollars.

In fact, the gain accrued due to the decline in the international oil market is equivalent or even greater than some of the biggest export commodities of the country. Some of the major export earners in Ethiopia do not have the capacity to fetch as much foreign currency that is saved by the enterprise.

However, critics of the government have been saying that the changes in the retail price of oil do not take into account the dynamics in the international market. Especially, in light of the recent decline the adjustment in the local retail price was said to be way below the decline in the international market indicating unwarranted profit from the oil sector.

Last week after the Ministry of Trade announced a new retail price for fuel, the country witnessed a severe fuel shortage which evidently led to long queues that lasted for hours in different parts of the country.

The quandary resulted in nullifying some eleven fuel stations in the capital by the Addis Ababa City Administration Trade Bureau accused of creating artificial shortage.

This week saw a relative ease in fuel supply shortage. However, the crisis has not been fully curbed.

Global oil price has fallen by more than 40 percent since June, when it was USD 115 a barrel. It is now below USD 70. This comes after nearly five years of stability. At a meeting in Vienna on November 27 the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which controls nearly 40 percent of the world market, failed to reach agreement on production curbs, sending the price tumbling. Also hard hit are oil-exporting countries such as Russia, Nigeria, Iran and Venezuela.

According to Demelash, what should be considered is the price of refined oil. Unlike the decline in crude  oil prices ,the price of refined oil decreased only by 22 percent which is around 50 percent than the global decline in oil prices. Demelash also said that back in June the price of one metric ton of refined oil was 945.89 dollars while now it has gone down to 737.37 dollars.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2924-oil-price-decline-lightens-import-bill

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Ethiopia Bond Yield Increases in a Week

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Falling global oil prices, Ethiopia’s bond yield up from 6.625pc

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According to Bloomberg data, reported on December 12, 2014, among sub-Saharan dollar bond issuers, only debt from South Africa and Namibia are rated as above ‘junk’. Ghana was reduced one level in October, to B-, six steps below the investment grade. Nigeria is three levels higher, at BB-, while Rwanda stands at B and Kenya at B+.

Ethiopia, which sold debut Eurobonds at a 6.6 pc yield, and which now trades at 7.82 pc, is rated B, while Ivory Coast is rated B1, one level below Nigeria, according to Bloomberg.

It was three weeks ago that the government of Ethiopia joined the international capital market by getting a one billion dollar oversubscribed debut Eurobond from Europe and the United States (US), with 6.625pc interest rate. The government is planning to utilise the money for the establishment of two new sugar factories, the installation of an electric power system and the development of two industrial zones.

“This bond has a probability of being a junk bond for the economy if the oil price goes down at this pace,’’ said a macroeconomist.

Junk bonds are bonds that are known by their higher default risk and rated below investment grade.

The bond, on the market for three weeks in Europe and America, got a subscription of 2.6 billion dollars, but the government only sold a one billion-dollar bond as of December 5, 2014: half the amount that has been approved by parliament.

“We considered our paying capacity and decided to only sell a one billion dollar bond,’’ said Sufian Ahmed, minister of Finance and Economic Development, during the press briefing he gave at his office in Sidest Kilo, located on the King George VI Street, on Tuesday, December 16, 2014.

All subscribers are institutions, such as insurance firms, and 70pc of them are from the US, with the remaining being from Europe, said Sufian. He added that Ethiopia has got a good deal, because it does not have to pay commitment fees and insurance fees, despite these two fees being the norm in the securities market. In addition, it has a lesser interest rate, compared to other conventional loans, especially project loans, he said.

Even before joining the capital market, Ethiopia took project loans that pledge for a single project after assessment, and the government receives sector loans from international financial institutions, including the World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AfDB), and EXIM banks.

In the market, the minister mentioned the upcoming election, a probability of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, drought and logistics problems due to the country being land-locked. The aforementioned were listed as the risks in the market, but we were rated lower by the international buyers, said Sufian.

Ethiopia has a very safe debt rating, says Sufian, mentioning the five standards to level one country’s debt rate. Net Present Value (NPV) for Ethiopia, which draws a comparison between the cash outflows and inflows, 12.6pc, according to Sufian, who says that it is safe for a country to score up to 40pc, but not more.

Ethiopia’s NPV ratio to the export also stands at 100pc, he added, while it is safe to go as far as 150pc. The ratio of NPV for domestic revenue is 108pc, where the bottom line is over 250pc. Debt service ratio per export also stands at 6.8pc, far below the standard of 20pc. Ethiopia’s status in the last measurement, in terms of debt service ratio to domestic ratio, is 7.3pc, where the alarm is over 20pc.

“We do not have a plan to go back to the capital market for the coming two Growth the Transformation Plan (GTP) periods, said Sufian. “But if things force us to go back to the international market, we will definitely do so.”

The two sugar factories are located in the Southern region and the Eastern part, according to Sufian, who declined to further disclose the exact locations of the factories. The two industrial zones are designated to be constructed at Dire Dawa, 515Km east of the capital and Hawassa, 273km south of the capital in the Southern Region. The industrial zones are part of the government plan to establish industrial zones in four towns, including in Kombolcha, 376km to the north of the capital in the Amhara region and in Shillabo, 1,140km from the capital in Somalia Region, on a total of 5,130ha of land.

The minister mentioned that electric power transmission systems will be funded from this loan, the transmission line will be extended from Ethiopia to Kenya, and Kenya’s part is funded by the WB, according to sources.

The use of this loan for the projects will help the country earn foreign currency by exporting, but these are the areas where the GTP failed, so they all need special handling and follow-up, including determining what part of the government is the contract administrator and project manager, cash flow for the projects, and detailed feasibility studies, said a macroeconomist.

The government should give special emphasis, as the carry-on cost increases until the projects are finalised and start earning foreign currency, suggests this expert.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/ethiopia-bond-yield-increases-in-a-week/

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German Company to Produce Ethanol, Fertilizer from Waste Products of Sugar

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Sugarcane waste biofuel

Schmitt Distillation Plant Engineering announced on Wednesday its plan to build a factory that produces ethanol, electricity, fertilizer and animal food from waste products of sugar.

Company General Manager Reiner Schmitt held talks with President Dr. Mulatu Teshome at the National Palace. Schmitt told journalists that the factory would help in the transfer of knowledge and technology in addition to consolidating the investment ties of Ethiopia and Germany.

Although activities were underway to launch the plant, the decision to quickly start building the factory followed the visit of Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, he said.

The general manager added that the technology, finance and other necessary things will be brought from Germany.

President Mulatu has reportedly told the delegation led by Schmitt that German investors will benefit a lot if they engage in particularly in meat, milk, leather and other agriculture investment areas.

The human resource, animal resources and the ever increasing purchasing power of the public

The human resource, animal resources and the ever increasing purchasing power of the public will enable investors engaged in the sector to become successful, the president said.

The 10 sugar factories expected to be completed by next year will contribute to the factory to be constructed, Dr. Mulatu also said.

The German factory has 50 year experience in the field, it was learnt.

http://preciseethiopia.com/german-company-to-produce-ethanol-fertilizer-from-waste-products-of-sugar/

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Ericsson Grabs Torch to begin Telecommunications Expansion

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Following the abrogation of the deal with ZTE, the state monopoly has signed a deal with Ericsson.

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An eight-month negotiation was finalised this week by awarding Swedish based telecommunications firm, Ericsson, the 500 million dollars – 550 million dollars telecom project. The contract is part of the project that was taken away from ZTE.

The Ethiopian telecom monopoly initially launched a project for the transformation and expansion of telecom services with a total project cost of 1.6 billion dollars in 2013. The framework and financing agreement had been signed with the two Chinese competing network solution providers ZTE and Huawei Technologies, by splitting the project into 13 circles. The two companies were awarded the multi-vendor financing project of 800 million dollars each after they secured the financing from the Export-Import Bank of China (EX-IM) with a maturity period of 13 years at a three percent interest rate.

Huawei took seven circles, one in the capital and the remaining in regional states of the Country. ZTE took the remaining six circles. Following the multi-vendor financing agreement, Huawei started the optimisation in Addis Abeba but ZTE did not because of a disagreement with the state monopoly, after it has declined to work on the swapping of the old network, according to Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD), in the rank of Deputy Prime Minister, coordinator of the finance and economic cluster and minister at the Communication and Information Technology.

ZTE’s refusal to work on the swapping of the old networks, and asking for an additional 150 million dollars for the service, led ethio telecom’s board, chaired by Mekuria Haile, minister of Urban Development and Housing Construction, to terminate the framework agreement signed with ZTE on April 2014, Fortune confirmed.

After the termination of the deal with ZTE, the state monopoly approached Nokia and Ericsson, with an offer to work on the projects together, taking three circles each. This ended with a fruitful deal with Ericsson.

“We approached the two companies because they have been interested in working in Ethiopia, as they have approached us at different times in the past,’’ says Debretsion. “Nokia did not respond to our offer, so we continued negotiations with Ericsson.’’

Ericsson proposed 550 million dollars for the four lots, by coming up with a financing structure that has a maturity period of 10 years, with a 7.5pc interest rate, according to sources. But the interest rate and the maturity period were adjusted after negotiation between the two parties, although both remain higher than the figures in the deal with ZTE.

“The difference is not that significant,’’ Debretsion told Fortune.

After the officials of ZTE knew that the government of Ethiopia was negotiating with Ericsson, they requested to work on the project again, by agreeing to include the swapping with the first project cost, but ZTE officials declined to give further details on the issue.

“We were going to shift the whole project from ZTE, but the time framework scheduled for the finalisation of the project is June 2015, and Ericsson said that it could finalise all four circles within the remaining six months,” said Debretsion.

The agreement with Ericsson was signed last Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Hilton Hotel, between Andulem Admassie, chief executive officer (CEO) of ethio telecom, and Rafiah Ibrahim, president of Ericsson for the Middle East and North East Africa region. The event was attended by Mekuria, Debretsion and Jan Sadek, Swedish ambassador to Ethiopia. The new project that is designed with Ericsson includes expansion, overhauling, swapping and provision of technologies for four circles, including south, south west, south east and south south circles, while ZTE retains the east and middle east circles.

Hours before this deal, we signed a contract with ZTE for the remaining two circles, Andulem told Fortune. In addition to the circles, ZTE will work on transmission, power deployment, business and security, according to Andualem.

Part of the contract that was given to Huawei, with a three-phase project, was finalised four months ago. The first phase involved replacing the old Nokia network, set up in 75 areas, including Bisrate Gabriel, Mekanisa, Ayer Tena, Alem Bank, and Alem Gena, with a new Huawei network. The second phase involved 239 further areas.

In the third phase, ethio-telecom built the capacity for providing the fourth generation (4G) service for 400,000 customers, by completing civil works, erecting antennas and installing service equipment in an additional 410 sites. In these sites, there will be 210 antennas supporting 4G. A total of 722 antennas were installed bringing the city’s service coverage reach to 100pc.

The expansion project, which is to be completed by the end of the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) period, in 2014/15, is supposed to increase the mobile service capacity from 23 million to 50 million, with 40 million subscribers, but ethio telecom data shows that they have revised the number of target subscribers to 59 million.

Ericsson, a multinational mobile phone manufacturing company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and Lund, Sweden, sold the first telephone to Ethiopia during Emperor Menelik II‘s reign. It was also the first overseas firm to install mobile networks in Addis Abeba for 19,000 subscribers.

“We will commence the project within the coming few weeks, as we have already ordered equipment for the project from Sweden,” said Rafiah. The company has already brought 50 people to Ethiopia for the project, with more local forces soon be recruited, she told Fortune.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/ericsson-grabs-torch-to-begin-telecommunications-expansion/

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Ministry of Mines revokes 56 exploration licenses

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The Ministry of Mines recently revoked 56 minerals exploration licenses of foreign and local mining companies on the ground that the companies did not undertake exploration activities. The companies were licensed to prospect for gold and base metals, iron ore and gemstones.

Reliable sources at the ministry told The Reporter that the companies did not fulfill their commitments in accordance with the agreement they entered into with the ministry.  According to sources, the mining coming companies failed to execute the mineral exploration work according to schedule. “The mining companies were unable to undertake exploration activities due to their own problems.  The companies kept the exploration areas idle for year,” sources said.

The communication directorate confirmed the measure taken against the mining companies but did not reveal further information.

The Ministry of Mines has granted 200 mineral exploration licenses since 1992. In 2011-2012 the mining sector earned 618 million dollars from mineral exports- 2/3 coming from artisanal mining. The mining sector is expected to generate 2 billion dollars by 2024 employing 8000 citizens.

The Ethiopian government aims at building and developing an essentially new economic sector – the large scale mineral sector. The current policy framework envisions the mineral sector to be the back bone of the industry by 2020-2023.

In a related news companies are complaining about the new mineral exploration licensing procedures the ministry introduced last year. The companies claim that the ministry is not issuing exploration licenses to mining companies. Some of them claim that they are waiting for three years after they submitted their application for exploration licenses. “The ministry issued only six mineral exploration licenses in the past six or seven months,” representatives of companies said.

The new mineral exploration directive requires companies to have a minimum of three years working experience in the mining sector. The mineral licensing and administration directorate evaluates the proposals submitted by companies and should get 75 percent grade to secure the license. Previous experience holds 35 percent of the grading.

A senior official at the Ministry of Mines told The Reporter that the Ministry of Mines put in place a new licensing procedure with the view of avoiding companies who trade exploration areas. “Most companies are brokers. They acquire exploration areas from the ministry. They do not have the experience and the required financial resource to execute the exploration projects. Some take the land and transfer it to other companies without adding any value on the concession. Others keep the exploration areas idle for years. So we took the measure after we made a thorough statement. We introduced the new licensing procedure to avoid companies who keep exploration areas idle for a long time. We grant licenses for companies that are committed to undertake exploration work. We need companies who have the expertise and adequate financial resource,” the official said.

The Ministry issued 209 exploration licenses and 63 mining licenses. Sixty of the licenses were owned by local companies, 68 by foreign companies and 36 by joint ventures.

A recent study undertaken by the World Bank on the Ethiopian mining sector identified hindrances in the licensing procedures of the Ministry of Mines. The strategic assessment of the Ethiopian mining sector issued last October says that there is currently a considerable back log in the assessment of exploration license applications, while the intention is to asses these on monthly basis. “This may in part be due to efforts to discourage speculative applications and \or companies that do not have the necessary know how or resources. It is however also clear that there exist some critical capacity constraints that prevent the licensing authority to assess applications on time,” the report says. The report stated that ministry’s computerized mining cadastre system commissioned in 2011 has fallen into disuse.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2921-ministry-of-mines-revokes-56-exploration-licenses

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Authority launches upgrading Dire Dawa-Dewele road

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The Ethiopia Roads Authority (ERA) said upgrading the 220 km Dire Dawa-Dewele road to asphalt paving has been launched at a cost of over 3.9 billion birr.

Dire Dawa-Dewele road, which is part of the Ethiopian road development program, will be built by a Chinese construction company, CGC Overseas, Dereje Hailu, ERA Communication Directorate Team Leader told WIC.

Some 85 per cent of the cost for the road will be covered by a loan secured from China EximBank, while the remaining 15 per cent will be earmarked by the government of Ethiopia, he said.

According to Dereje, the construction of the Dire Dawa-Dewele road will reduce the time and the traffic congestion being witnessed at the Awash-Mile-Djibouti road.

Upon completion within the coming three years, the road will have a width of 19 meters in urban and 10 meters in rural areas, he said.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16651-authority-launches-upgrading-dire-dawa-dewele-road-

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Discussion opens on 10-year cement dev’t strategy in Ethiopia

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Stakeholders are discussing on a draft 10 year cement development strategy in Ethiopia.

State Minister of Industry Mebrat Meles (Ph.D) said the strategy will boos factory’s productivity and ensure affordable availability of cement for people with low incomes.

Factory representatives shared this view and vowed to the realization of the strategy.

The strategy will play a crucial role in bridging the gap in cement demand and supply in Ethiopia.

Problems of limited capacity with the factories and the scarcity of coal as the main power source for the factories had been identified as factors driving cement prices up.
It was noted that the country was working to exploit its coal reserves in order to save foreign currency.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16643-discussion-opens-on-10-year-cement-devt-strategy-in-ethiopia

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Dealing Sugar

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Long queues are usually associated with sugar shortage

Long queues are usually associated with sugar shortage

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By Mikias Sebsibe

Responding to an anonymous tip via the toll-free 8478, the investigation team at the Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority sprang into action earlier this month.

The informant relayed a tip that a truck carrying 180 quintals of sugar has been smuggled in to Addis Ababa from Dire Dawa.

Subsequently, the general manager and board members of the company (name withheld as the case is still under investigation), were brought in for questioning.

At a time when a constraint in supply of sugar is gripping the nation, such trade practices become more frequent. The practice ranges from price hikes, hoarding and transporting the commodity outside the authorized distribution route to the impossible task of making “honey” out of sugar, which is later sold as genuine honey.

Sugar is one of the essential commodities whose price and distribution is closely regulated by the government. Although businesses are often singled out as the prime culprits and held accountable for the unlawful trade practice, their profit maximization effort is often in response to a problem from the supply line. The recent shortage of sugar is also a result of a miscalculation by the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation (ESC) which resulted in the delay of import of sugar into the country.

“We expected Tendaho Sugar Factory to start production last year,” Zemedkun Tekle, corporate communication director at ESC, told The Reporter. Tendaho, whose project launch predates ESC’s establishment, was expected to enter production during the first half of the 2013/14 budget year.

“When we made the projection [at the end of the 2012/13 budget year], the project was over 99 percent complete. We did not expect the 0.0 something would cause this much delay in production,”  Zemedkun added.

The factory, whose construction began in 2007, was enabled by a USD 400 million line of credit from the EX-IM Bank of India with India’s Overseas Infrastructure Alliance (OIA), which is largely blamed for the delay, awarded to undertake the project in a turnkey contract.

With Tendaho in mind, ESC boldly announced that Ethiopia is edging closer to becoming sugar self-sufficient and claimed that the country will seize to import sugar as of the 2013/14 budget year.

However, delays at Tendaho coupled with ceasing of production at Fincha Sugar Factory, the largest sugar producing factory at present with daily output of over 10,000 tcd (tons of cane per day), resulted in an unexpected shortage in the supply of sugar causing panic in the market.

Currently, Ethiopia produces sugar from three sugar factories – Fincha, Wonji and Metehara. But these factories stop operations and conduct maintenance during the rainy season particularly from July to September with imports filling the gap in supply.

However, Fincha Sugar Factory ceased production two months prior the timetable due to untimely rain with mud making it difficult for vehicles to transport sugarcane from the plantation to the crushing plant.

“There was no sugar from Fincha – a factory which was producing nine thousand tons of sugar per day at the time – until October this year,” Zemedkun told The Reporter. The other two factories also resumed production as of mid-October.

Had it gone according to plan, ESC would have filled the gap in supply during the rainy season from the Tendaho Sugar Factory. As the factory is located in the arid Assayita town of the Afar Regional State, productions can be carried out all year round.

The constraint in supply led to a depletion of the country’s sugar stock, which at one point was as low as 80,000 quintals, according to a city government official. This stock was not even enough to meet the monthly quota of Addis Ababa which stands at 102,000 quintals.

“Addis Ababa was accorded a special attention and the stockpile was almost entirely supplied to the market in the capital,” Gemechis Melaku, head of the Addis Ababa Trade and Industrial Development Bureau, told The Reporter.

Whereas industries and regions were forced to remain without supply of sugar for some time, the constraint in the capital led to all sorts of unlawful trade practices including smuggling sugar out of the city.

In a frantic attempt to adjust the supply of sugar, the country, initially, ordered the import of one 100 thousand tons of sugar which arrived in July this year.

“The market was starved, so the import was quickly sucked up,” Zemedkun said. A further 60 thousand tons of sugar arrived in the country in September and November. But the market is yet to stabilize with Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority still grabbling with cases of unlawful trade practice in the retail of sugar.

“It is the hangover effect of the shortage. It should stabilize soon,” Zemedkun forecasts.

Distribution gap

Before the infamous move of introducing “price cap” by the government, in June 2010, the Ministry of Trade devised a scheme to regulate the price and distribution of sugar and other essential commodities such as wheat and edible oil. The scheme also introduced a quota system on the basis of population size, which is continuously revised.

Based on the designated quota, Addis Ababa Trade and Industrial Development Bureau can receive up to 102,000 quintals of sugar every month while industries get 124,000 quintals.

Regional states including the City Council of Dire Dawa are allocated a total of 402,153 quintals every 45 days and the purchase and distribution is handled by the Merchandise Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MEWIT). Oromia Special Zones get some 10,700 quintals every month and a half.

“The sugar we import is highly subsidized by the Ethiopian Sugar Corporation. That eats up the investment capital we would otherwise have used on sugar development projects,” Taitu Ali, acting director-general of ESC’s Marketing Division, told The Reporter justifying quota system and the need to closely regulate the distribution and price of the commodity.

The purchase is done by submitting a request letter and effecting payment to ESC’s Marketing Division, whose headquarters is located off Chad Street on Philips Building around Mexico.

The Addis Ababa Trade and Industrial Development Bureau said it has distributed a little over 259,000 quintals in the first quarter of the budget year. Latest figures from the MoT also reveal that the bureau effected purchase of some 77,000 and 101,800 quintals of sugar for the month of October and November.

The distribution channel to the level of end-users in regions is largely carried out by regional trade bureaus. In Addis Ababa, the trade bureau relies on consumer cooperatives set up in all 116 weredas and Et-fruit. The cooperatives directly sale to end-users and retailers in a 20/80 ratio with 80 percent of the sugar supplied to retailers while the remaining amount sold directly to consumers. VAT-registered service providers get their sugar from Et-Fruit.

However, the distribution channel is not without its problems. According to Yosef Getachew, investigation and prosecution director at Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority, large number of unlawful trade cases indicates malpractice by consumer cooperatives.

“A number of cases show conspiracy between traders and cooperatives,” Yosef told The Reporter.

The Addis Ababa Trade and Industrial Development Bureau, which oversees the activities of the cooperatives, largely blame traders for gaps in distribution. However, it also admits loose controlling and supervision mechanisms as another contributing factor.

“However, we cannot be at every retail shop. We expect the consumer to be a watchdog but that has not been to our satisfaction,” Gemechis, head of the city trade bureau, said.

In a bid to motivate informants, a directive entitles tipsters a fee amounting to 30 percent of the property which is a subject of the unlawful trade practice.

Prolonged procedures to purchase the sugar and the 20/80 ratio which favors retailers are considered as contributing factors for the distribution gaps which may need a revision, according to Zemedkun.

GTP vs reality

Ethiopia’s ambitious goal set under the Growth and Transformation Plan as one of major sugar producing countries in the world by 2015 now appears unrealistic. The government had planned to raise the annual production of sugar to 2.25 million tons by the end of the GTP period (June 2015). Besides satisfying the domestic demand, some 1.24 million tons were expected to be exported generating 661.7 million dollars annually.

However, ESC’s projection for the current budget year is more conservative. The corporation projects the annual production to reach 1.2 million tons. The sugar production can expect a boost when Tendaho Sugar Factory, which will crush 13,000 tcd at full capacity, and Kessem Sugar Factory, with an initial capacity of 6,000 tcd, begin operation this year. According to ESC, both factories have entered testing phase.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, while presenting his government’s quarterly report to parliament, said the country will be able to finish seven of the ten sugar projects currently underway. Besides Tendaho and Kessem, the projects include Tendaho II (13,000 tcd), Arjo Dediessa (8,000 tcd), Kuraz I (12,000 tcd) and two factories at Tana Beles , with a combined capacity of 24,000 tcd.

“We will soon evaluate where exactly the progress of each of these projects are to determine whether we can achieve them all,” Zemedkun told The Reporter.

With a boost in domestic production expected this year, ESC’s plan for the budget year earmarked 600,000 tons of sugar for export. If not the export, ESC is confident that the 60,000 tons of sugar imported during the current budget year will be the last.

Meanwhile, without adequate supply of sugar, investigators and prosecutors at the Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority, tasked with a broader responsibility of ensuring market transparency, continue to be inundated with cases where unlawful trade involving sugar as little as 50 kg being reported to the authority.

This budget year alone, nearly 500 quintals of sugar has been confiscated with traders punished with fines and imprisonments.

http://thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/in-depth/indepth-business-and-economy/item/2915-dealing-sugar

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African fund backs plans to manufacture and use of smart meters in Ethiopia

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The African Development Bank (AfDB), which hosts the Sefa fund, said the grant would support the “corporate expansion” of Addis Ababa-based dVentus in the energy efficiency equipment sector.

“Specifically, the grant will finance a market and bankability study as well as product validation and certification with the aim of mitigating part of the technical development risks and catalysing the financing required for the transition and expansion plan,” the AfDB said.

In addition, the AfDB said the project “will help demonstrate the viability of indigenous high-tech suppliers for the growing clean energy sector in Africa”. The grant will also help boost private funding “in an industry of key importance for enabling investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency”.

Once operational, the manufacturing facility “will provide products that will lead to an improvement in power distribution and generation and help address Ethiopia’s current and projected energy shortfall”, the AfDB said.

The AfDB said: “Smart electric meters will have a direct impact in efficient billing, load management, tariff management, and theft control resulting in smaller power losses, fewer power outages and better customer service. It is estimated that savings up to $66 million per year and a 50% reduction in distribution losses could be achieved if the two million connected clients in Ethiopia were to use this technology.”

“The project is also expected to contribute to technology transfer of high-tech engineering and to the creation of up to 150 jobs during construction of the manufacturing facility and another 150 jobs during operations, out of which 80% are expected to be highly-skilled jobs,” the AfDB said.

The AfDB said the support to dVentus is in line with the bank’s “broader cooperation” with the US-backed Power Africa initiative, launched by President Barack Obama in 2013, aimed at supporting economic growth and development by increasing access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable power in all of sub-Saharan Africa, including in Ethiopia.

Sefa is a multi-donor facility designed to unlock private investments in small to medium-sized clean energy projects in Africa. The fund is endowed with $60 million from the governments of Denmark and the US.

International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde said earlier this year that the “scaling up” of energy infrastructure investments in Ethiopia and other African nations were “critical for growth to be sustained”.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/editors-pick/16622-african-fund-backs-plans-to-manufacture-and-use-of-smart-meters-in-Ethiopia-


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Addis Ababa, Agriculture, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1, World Bank Image may be NSFW.
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29 December 2014 News Items

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Defunct Fertilizer to Re-emerge in a Policy Reversal

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Draft policy will introduce new fertilizer use in the country

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The National Fertilizer Industry Agency, which was dissolved as redundant in 2006 with the implementation of the business process reengineering (BPR), is now to be re-established by a new proclamation, which the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) have drafted.

This is part of the revision of the fertilizer policy which the government has been following since 1993. A draft policy prepared jointly by the ATA and the MoA was the subject of stakeholder deliberation on December 23 and 24, 2014, at a meeting held at Harmony Hotel. The Agency will be brought back as an implementer of the new policy, when approved.

The Agency was dissolved with the belief that its job could be undertaken by a regulatory system within the MoA. Its re-establishment will endow it with different powers and responsibilities than it used to have.

Before the dissolving of the agency in 2006, there were 67 registered fertilizer suppliers in the country, all of which would disappear following the annexation of the Agency into the Agricultural Input Supply Enterprise (AISE) as a regulatory body.

“Now the agency is to be established in order to administer the consumption of fertilizers depending on the assessment that we made in 365 Woredas of the country and to test the conformity of the fertilizers to the Ethiopian standards,” Sileshi Getahun, state minister for Agriculture told Fortune.

The agency will have responsibilities related to fertilizer production, import and export, fertilizer demand development, pricing, marketing and distribution, fertilizer quality control, fertilizer registration, fertilizer competence assurance, fertilizer sub-sector governance, and coordination with other bodies.

To carry out the above responsibilities, the Agency will engage in advocacy, encouraging the involvement of the private sector, unions and primary unions in the fertilizer manufacturing industry, decide the type of fertilizers to be imported or locally manufactured, develop guidelines to permit fertilizer production for regional enforcing bodies to facilitate manufacturing permit, facilitate the development of fertilizer quality standard and follow-up execution and decide upon suspension of fertilizers from sale pursuant to the laboratory test result, states the presentation by the Ministry addressed to the gathered stakeholders.

The draft proclamation to Provide for the Establishment of the National Fertilizer Industry Agency, was one of three documents discussed at a meeting held at Harmony Hotel on the aforementioned date. The other documents were the Revised Fertilizer Policy and the Fertilizer Manufacturing and Trade proclamation.

“The major role that is added to the functioning of the Agency is registration of the fertilizers used in the country, which was not implemented because of the existence of only two kinds of fertilizers in the country – DAP and UREA,” Noah Alemu, soil team associate at the ATA told Fortune.

Based on the findings of a research that the ATA conducted in the 365 woredas of the country, it was found that because of the continued use of the two types of fertilizers for 60 years, the soil has lost important nutrients like sulfur, potassium, boron and zinc.

Now the Agency has totally suspended the importation of DAP as of this fiscal year, according to Noah.

“It is like using the same kind of medicine for different diseases,” he said.

The Agency has now began the importation of a new kind of fertilizer called NPS in place of the DAP that the country has been using.

“There are different kinds of fertilizers to be used, such as liquid, solid, and spray and these need to be identified and registered by a regulatory body that could administer the issues related to fertilizers,” paid Noah.

The establishment of the Agency will also embark the participation of the private sector in the fertilizer marketing- both in the production, distribution and importation of the fertilizers that the country requires.

There are 17 soil test laboratories in the country, which will help the Agency import what is needed for the soil in the farming areas.

“There are different formulas of fertilizer that are needed in the country. As seen, even from the experience of Tigray, out of the sampled 160 soil, we need to have 21 formulas. So the Agency will be responsible for the control of quality in the blending of different fertilizers to make the needed formulas,” Noah says.

Now four blending industries owned by farmers’ cooperatives, each costing from one million to two million dollars, are in the pipeline in four regional states, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region, the Amhara Regional State, the Tigray Regional State and the Oromia Regional State. One in the Oromia Region, Becho, Woliso has become operational. But the country requires at least 18 blending industries to the current findings of ATA. The soil test and study of the remaining 365 Woredas will be completed. The total project is expected to be finalized and publicized in three years.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/defunct-fertilizer-to-re-emerge-in-a-policy-reversal/

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Voucher to Replace Cash Credit for Farmers

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Voucher, a system tested in a pliot project since 2012, is replacing cash-credit to farmers in some woredas

The government is replacing cash credit to farmers in some woredas with vouchers for them to access fertiliser and improved seeds.

This system was tested in a pilot project, which began in 2012 in the Amhara Regional State, in Baso Liben, Gozamin, Debere Elias, South Achefer and Metecha woredas. It lead to the expected implementation within the coming three months in 73 woredas, half the woredas in the region, involving 2.2 million farming households. The intention is to improve smallholder farmers’ access to credit for agricultural inputs including fertilisers and improved seeds.

Formerly, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) provided the fund to the bureaus of finance and economic development, which passed the money to unions. The unions passed it to cooperatives, which in turn gave loans to farmers with a full guarantee provided by the bureaus of agriculture. The problem was that the cooperatives distributed the money without any measures to make sure that the farmers would pay it back, says Teshome Walle (PhD), head of Amhara Regional Bureau of Agriculture. This lead to defaults of 143 million Br, 471 million Br, and 447 million Br, in the three years from 2011/12, in Amhara region alone. The defaulted amount was “recovered” by cutting the budgets to the woredas, according to the amount of default within each jurisdiction.

Now the Amhara Credit and Savings Association (ACSI) will issue vouchers to the Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) under it. Farmers will only be able to get these vouchers – not cash-in order to get the inputs they need from cooperatives. The agriculture bureau will no longer provide guarantee, as that has now been replaced with a credit fund established at the ACSI. The farmers, too, will no longer have to start paying immediately, but get a grace period of a year, so that they can repay from the sale of their produce.

The MFI’s will issue the vouchers based on an assessment of the farmers seeking the loan, said Mekonen Yelewumwosen, CEO of ACSI. In 2013/14, the pilot woredas benefited from a credit supply of 196,000qt of fertilisers and seeds, worth 230 million Br, provided to them through the Agricultural Inputs Supply Corporation (AISCO), which is under the Minister of Agriculture(MTA). From total inputs distributed, 48pc was Urea, 42pc DAP, six percent NPS and three percent improved seeds, including teff, wheat, sorgum and maize.

Farmers in the pilot project paid back 99pc of the credit they had taken, said Mekonnen.

The existing practice gave cooperatives and unions five Br to 12 Br commission for every quintal of fertiliser. That has now been increased to 20Br in order to encourage them, said Tekeba Tebabal, deputy head of Amhara Corporative Promotion Agency.

The full project, to now be launched in the 73 woredas expects to extend loans amounting to 2.4 billion Br. ACSI will hire 4,280 workers to implement the project.

This project is supported by financial contributions from the Netherlands Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Development Canada.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/voucher-to-replace-cash-credit-for-farmers/


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Ethiopia to start using Sudanese port to import goods

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Ethiopian state minister of transport and communication Ato Getachew Mengestie has said that Ethiopia is to start using Sudanese port for importing goods.

Till now Ethiopia was using Sudanese port for exporting items overseas. The move is said to be triggered by an expanding demand from Ethiopia’s growing economy.

To this end the Ethiopian government has signed a deal with its Sudanese counterpart to import 50 000 tones of fertilizers through the Sudanese port.

Apart from this port, efforts are being made by the Ethiopian government to use other ports like Zeyela, Berbera and others as an alternative choice.
To solve the problem of storage space, a new 5 000 meter square storage facility has been opened a week ago around Mojjo.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16781-ethiopia-to-start-using-sudanese-port-to-import-goods-e-using-sudanese-port-to-import-goods

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Ugandan President Visits for Multiple Agreements

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The first official visit of the Ugandan government delegation after the death of the former Ethiopian Prime minister Meles Zenawi, led by the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, saw the two countries signing four agreements that focused on infrastructure development like electricity and road development.

The agreements that the ministers of the two countries signed were said to formalise and cement the two countries’ cooperation and strengthen their mutual interests until the next joint ministerial meetings of the two countries, according to PM Hailemariam Dessalegn.

The first agreement of the two countries was made between the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Tewodros Adhanom and his Ugandan counterpart Henry Okello Oryem to cooperate in the health sector. The two countries are among the better performers in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG), especially in terms of the reduction of child mortality and improving maternal health.

In the wider range, Africa has halted and reversed the spread of HIV/AIDS, with a drop in prevalence rates from 5.9pc in 2001 to 4.9pc in 2011, according to the 2014 MDG report. The top rows of these performers are graced by the presence of Uganda in place of them.

And as the MDG report of Ethiopia for the year 2010 indicates, the under-five mortality rate has decreased from 167 out of 1,000 in 2001/02 to 123 out of 1,000 in 2005/06 and the infant mortality rate has declined to 77 per 1,000 live births in 2004/05 from 97 per 1,000 live births in 2001/02. In 2009/10 the under-five mortality rates and infant mortality rates decreased to 101 per 1,000 and to 45 per 1,000 live births, respectively. This number is even expected to decline to 31 per 1,000 live births by 2014/15.

The other agreement that the two countries signed was on the sector of transportation. The Ethiopian Minister of Transportation, Workineh Gebeyehu and the Ugandan Minister of State for International Affairs Okelo Oryem signed the agreement on cooperating in the development of transportation infrastructure. The PM, making a point on this, said that his government wished that the Ethiopia-Juba railway construction could extend to Kampala, Uganda.

This time, believing that economic integration should come first from the political integration that the continent is planning to achieve by 2063, the Ethiopian government is constructing a 1,500 Km railway on the Ethiopia-Kenya and Ethiopia-Djibouti corridors, Hailemariam said. Both countries’ stand regarding the economic integrity is a shared belief, which Musevini has been reflecting since the time of the late Meles Zenawi.

“Infrastructure remains critical to enhance our development endeavors. Lack of adequate infrastructure has been the main bottleneck for the development of trade and investment in our sub-region,” stated Hailemariam, who stressed that this has to change.

The PM also expressed his belief in the participation of Uganda in the power interconnection extending from Ethiopia, citing that the already connected Kenya and Uganda line will be used for the transmission of the electricity that Kenya is going to have when the transmission line from Ethiopia is completed.

This idea was also backed up by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the two countries signed to cooperate in the energy sector. This was signed between the Ethiopian Minister for Water, Irrigation & Energy Alemayehu Tegenu and his counterpart from Uganda, Simon D’ujang. The MoU signing was finalized by the signing of the sisterly relationship agreement between Addis Abeba and Kampala by the Mayor of Addis Diriba Kuma and by the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Jennifer Musisi.

The visit of the delegation atmosphere seems to be mixed up by the concern over the peace and stability problems in the sub-region and delight with the consensus that the two reached at on the cooperation.

“Our sub region is one of the most complex and turbulent regions in the world.… most of the countries in the sub region suffer from protracted political strife, arising from local and national grievance and from regional inter-state rivalries,” Hailemariam expressed.

The creation of sustainable peace and security in the region can be ensured only if the region fully cooperates to end these problems, the PM said.

The Ethiopian government was not happy with the deployment of Ugandan troops to the war torn, or the “dead lock” as Hailemariam puts it, region of South Sudan claiming to protect the Ugandan citizens working there.

“I must thank your Excellency and your government for the important role you have played to bring about peace and stability to South Sudan,” said Hailemariam. This seems a change in stance.

Musevini, when asked of the evacuation time of the troops he has in South Sudan, he, somewhat relaxed and unconcerned about the issue, said that it has not yet been decided.

“We are not there to seek jobs and we will stay there until the city of Juba and its citizens are safe to live their normal lives,” he said.

The President, referring to the time that the two countries are currently in, said that they are in the time of resurrection and they “don’t want this to be interrupted by the woregna (talkatives)”.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/ugandan-president-visits-for-multiple-agreements/

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Stakeholders discuss Ethiopia’s extractive industry

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Adama – Ethiopia’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EEITI) national secretariat brought together national stakeholders for a conference on 24-25 December 2014, on the contribution of the mining sector to Ethiopia’s economy as well as familiarizing them on the EITI process.

The national secretariat is hosted by the Ministry of Mines and Ethiopia has also set up an EEITI multi-stakeholder national steering committee, comprising the government, private sector, and CSOs.

The meeting raised awareness among federal and regional relevant personnel of the key implementing partners with regards to federal and regional mining, environmental protection, audit, finance and economic development and Inland Revenue bureau on EITI process. The conference also examined licensing and administration of minerals and petroleum; revenue management; environmental protection; supporting and coordinating artisanal mining; natural resource management and CSO concerns; as well as value chains and marketing.

Nigeria, which has been compliant (meeting all requirements in the EITI standard) since 2011, was represented by the national EITI executive manager who shared experience on the EITI process and also that country’s challenges and success in implementing the EITI.

Countries meeting the EITI Standard disclose taxes and all payments made to the government by gas, oil and mining companies allowing for an effective multi-stakeholder oversight of the use of the country’s natural resource; with the minorities and indigenous recognized as stakeholders in the extractive industry and their rights of safeguarded.

Ethiopia’s candidacy was accepted by the EITI in 2014 and the country says it is working on the compliance process to meet the EITI Standard and become a member by 2017.

Ethiopia earned USD 540.5 million in 2014 from the export of gold, tantalum and gemstones; however, the contribution of the mining industry to the GDP remains below 2%. The sector’s contribution to job creation is growing. In 2010, 2000 jobs were created in the sector and this figure has shot up to 50,000 in 2013. In 1991, Ethiopia legalized the artisanal mining sector, which now provides livelihood for more than five million people.

“The EITI is helping to improve governance by creating a platform for open discussion about the management of the natural resource among important government organizations and local communities,” said Mining Minister and EEITI National Steering Committee Chair Tolessa Shagi.

Underlining the importance of good governance and strong long-term development planning, UNDP Ethiopia Resident Representative Eugene Owusu said “Countries can avoid the pitfalls of the resource curse, and provide quality services, such as water, sanitation, education and healthcare to their citizens

UNDP is working with the Government of Ethiopia on two-year program costing over half a million US dollars that promotes inclusive growth through strengthening accountability and transparency in the extractive sector. This initiative, which falls under UNDP Ethiopia’s Democratic Governance & Capacity Development intervention, complements UNDP’s global work around the extractive sector, which focuses on sustainable and equitable management of the sector to promote human development.

http://addisstandard.com/stakeholders-discuss-ethiopias-extractive-industry/

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Universities urged to produce ethical graduates

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Addis Ababa, 29 December 2014 –

The second University Ethics and Good Governance Movement summit has kicked off yesterday in Jimma University. Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Head Ali Sulieman said universities should pay equal attention to producing ethical graduates as much as training competent ones.

He added major construction projects at universities, bids on purchases, student canteen services, etc. should be based on accountability and transparency.

FDRE Education Minister Shiferaw Shigute on his part said universities should work with other stakeholders to produce ethical graduates.

The summit will end today after a report by the commission is discussed, identifying weaknesses and strengths and setting future steps to take.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16791-universities-urged-to-produce-ethical-graduates-

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New Print, Packaging Company to Launch

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Newaman Metal Packaging Manufacturing Plc to start manufacturing by July 2015

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A new Ethio-Italian company is to join the print and packaging industry in Ethiopia. The company is owned by the Italian NewBox S.P.A and Ethiopian investor Alemayehu Negussie.

The company, named Newaman Metal Packaging Manufacturing Plc was showcasing its sample products to potential customers at the Fifth Afri Print and Packaging Expo between December 11 and 13, 2014. Afri Print and Packaging Expo is an international trade fair for services, equipment and technologies for printing and packaging that is held in Ethiopia every year.

Newaman Metal Packaging Manufacturing Plc was established with a capital of 73 million Br. Alemayehu owns 55pc of the company while the rest of the shares go to NewBox. The company has been building its factory for the past year on a 6000sqm plot of land leased in Alem Gena town, 24Km from Addis Abeba, says the general manager.

The company will go through the commissioning process by March and start manufacturing in June or July, 2015, said the manager, who declined to be named. It will start with crown caps manufacturing and printing, according to Ottaviano Lucatello, NewBox S.A.P president. The company will have the capacity of manufacturing one billion crown caps a year, stated Ottaviano. After two years it will commence production of ornamented and regular cans, he added. The principal raw materials required for the production is sheet metal, which will be imported from abroad, according to the manager.

The local demand for crown cork is met through both local production and import. Ethiopian Crown Cork and Can Manufacturing S.C., CGF-crown Cork and Aluminum Cap Manufacturing Factory, Daylight Applied Technologies Pvt. Ltd Co. and Metal Crown are the four local factories in Ethiopia. Based on the existing production trend, it is estimated that 1.3 billion pieces of crown caps has been produced locally in 2013, showing 12.6pc production growth compared to the 2012 fiscal year, according to Central Statistics Agency (CSA).

At present, the major source of supply to the local market for crown cork is mainly import. During the period between 2011 and 2013, on average, about 93.24% of the total imports of crown corks were supplied by five countries, namely, India (42.39%), Spain (14.34%), Egypt (14.2%), Italy (12.97%) and France (9.35%), according to Ethiopian Revenue & Custom Authority (ERCA). Other countries supply the remaining.

There is a disproportional supply of crown corks when compared to the high demand, stated Fitsum Getu, One Cent Management & Marketing S.C. (OCM), chief investment and research director. The demand for crown cork depends mainly on the performance of its end-users such as beverage, mineral water and cosmetics industry, explains Fitsum. The current demand for the crown caps in Ethiopia from these industries, which is 3.3 billion pieces, is expected to grow to 5.5 billion pieces in 2015, according to a research by OCM, May, 2014. OCM is an Ethiopian private equity and assessment management share company established on December 3 2010. Newaman engagement will have greater significant to meet the increased demand, stated Ottaviano.

The fifth Afri Print and Packaging Expo was organised by Prana Promotion, Expo team and the Ethiopian Publishers and Printers Association. Prana promotion was established in 2008 with a mission to promote and fill the gap in potential sectors and industries in Africa. This exhibition is held in order to promote the print and packaging industry as well as to identify and fill gaps in the industry, said Nebyou Lemma, Prana Promotion’s managing director. Around 41 companies from all over the world had participated in the exhibition. This is a great way to keep ourselves up-to-date with the latest technology and share experiences, stated Mekdes Nega, a visitor from Akoatet Printing Plc. Though there is a great potential for the industry, it is characterised by a lack of educated human resource in the sector, according to Mekdes. Next year the exhibition will be held in Addis Abeba in a much bigger arena, stated Nebyou.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/new-print-packaging-company-to-launch/

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New meat processors in the making

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Euro Foods, a French-based meat processing firm, is considering setting up meat processing plants in Ethiopia as more and more foreign companies are drawn into the sector.

In his recent interview with The Reporter, Hailesilassie Weres, director of Ethiopian Diary and Meat Industry Development Institute, said that Euro Foods is on the verge of acquiring land to set up a processing plant in Ethiopia.

The company would invest USD 32 million if all goes according to plan, Hailesellaise told The Reporter.

The company is expected to raise whole fund through equity financing abroad to finance their project in Ethiopia.

Abebaw Mekonen, secretary general of Ethiopian Meat Producers-Exporters Association also confirmed that the French-based company is on the process to join Ethiopian meat industry.

Euro Foods represents the surge of growing interest for the meat processing industry in a nation with the largest cattle population in Africa.

According to Abebaw, a local firm called Kegna is well underway setting up a processing plant in south eastern Ethiopia- namely Awash Melkassa area. Companies like Jigjiga Export Slaughter House PLC are also successful new entrants in the business.

The government plans to amass quarter of a billion dollars this year from the export of honey, dairy and meat products by the end of this fiscal year. Hailesellaise said that some 49 thousand MT of meat products are expected to reach the international market mainly the Middle East.

It is to be remembered that the Indian based Allana Sons had joined the meat export business with a USD 20 million investment to set up a new plant in the Oromia Regional State at the town of Ziway some 159 km from the capital. Allana Sons was registered as Frigorifico Boran Foods PLC in Ethiopia and was able to acquire 75 hectare of land. Hailesellaise said the Indian food giant is also associated with yet another investment buying out a Turkish meat exporting company stationed in Ethiopia.

According to Hailessellasie, Organic Abattoir Slaughter, Abyssinia Export Abattoirs, Luna Export Slaughter House and Modjo Modern Export Abattoir PLC are among the fairly performing firms in the industry, while Elfora Agro Industries PLC, which belongs to the Midroc Technology Group, is among the poor performing export slaughter houses in the meat industry.

The value chain and animal feed shortages are hampering the growth of the industry according to an industry analysis by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). On the other hand, quality and meat hygiene are some of the critical barriers for Ethiopian meat exporters in the international markets competence.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2943-new-meat-processors-in-the-making

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Capital market helps to sustain Ethiopia’s economic growth: Scholars

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Economic scholars said Ethiopia’s debut exercise at the capital market by issuing a 1 billion USD sovereign bond will help it to sustain the economic growth.

The scholars whom ENA has interviewed asserted that it will have positive influence on the economy by strengthening the financial system, attract more foreign direct investment, increase role of the private sector and get additional hard currency.

Dr Tasew Woldehana, an economic lecturer at Addis Ababa University, a state-owned institution, told ENA that the economic growth witnessed over the past 10 years has resulted in huge demand for capital, energy, communication facilities and other infrastructures among the public.

Underlining the fact that meeting this growth driven demand requires huge sum of money, the capital market could be an alternative source of finance.

“Failing to meet this demand will create a difficulty in keeping the momentum of the economic growth” Dr Tasew said.

According to him, injecting huge amount of money to the infrastructure development will have good returns, since infrastructure is a backbone to the whole economic activity.

As the government decided to utilize the money on infrastructural programs, he pointed the importance of the decision by indicating that the county needs to improve its infrastructure facilities as it is at the initial stage in this regard and doing that will better off the economic performance.

According to Dr. Demelash Habte, an economics lecturer at Unity University, a private institution, capital market provides good opportunity to create efficient, effective and organized financial system and sustain economic growth.

In the long run, the capital market will create an opportunity to the private sector to secure funds for their projects thereby become an impetus for the growth.

The finance secured from the capital market will add energy to the consecutive economic growth of the country, noting that growth came so far using limited resources.

Noting that lack of resources were the major reasons for development projects to lag behind the plans, Dr Demelash said this new financial resource will help the government address challenges related to finance.

Joining the capital market, the government can now enhance the economic growth by establishing an investment bank and introduce an organized stock market, he suggested.

For his part, Senior Macroeconomic Expert Dr Eyob Tesfaye said the capital market will help to change the country’s economic dependence on import-export trade, bilateral and multilateral grant or loan.

He said it will also provide a good opportunity for Ethiopia to attract more foreign direct investment, in which the country is working at to strengthen its economy.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has disclosed last week that the finance secured from the capital market will be used to fund construction of new sugar factories and industrial zone.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16773-capital-market-helps-to-sustain-ethiopias-economic-growth-scholars-

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Ministry slashes Nyota’s concession near GERD

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The British mining firm prospecting for gold in Ethiopia, Nyota Minerals, announced that the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines slashed its gold exploration concession in western Ethiopia near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). 

Following submissions to renew the exploration licenses called Towcester and Brantham projects, in western Ethiopia, the Ministry of Mines has taken the decision not to renew any license areas or to issue new exploration licenses that would be affected by the development, along the Nile river.

A press release issued by Nyota last week, the company said the ministry’s decision affected the Towcester license, where the rationale for the renewal of the Gombo block was to conduct exploration and prospecting in support of the proposed mechanized mining of the alluvial deposits that would be inundated by the rising water level.

As a result, while the exploration license for the Towcester project had been renewed, the exploration area had now been reduced from 1 002 sqkm to 48 sqkm.

Similarly, the exploration license for the Brantham project was also renewed, but had narrowed the exploration area from 1 346 sqkm to 717 sqkm.

Nyota noted that the new licenses kept intact the North West-South East lineament of anomalies within the Brantham area and preserved for Nyota the extension of that lineament in the Towcester license; which was particularly important as this was immediately adjacent to the Boka West target.

“However, the remainder of the Towcester license has either been relinquished or was not renewed,” it stated.

Nyota added that the application for a mining license, submitted in the name of Towcester for the conversion of a portion of the exploration license as it was in April 2014, remained unaffected by the decision not to renew or to issue exploration licenses for any areas that would be affected by the rising water of the dam.

“Indeed, the intent of this application and its timeliness was precisely because the river gravels will be submerged and their value otherwise lost.

“The application is still being considered by the Ministry of Mines and, as is necessary, by other government departments. Those deliberations are internal and Nyota cannot, therefore, report progress with the application,” it reported.

Nyota, meanwhile, continued to review new opportunities as they arose.

The Minister of Mines , Tolossa Shagi Moti, told The Reporter that the ministry is evaluating Nyota’s proposal to mine the alluvial gold deposit along the Abay river, near the GERD. “A decision has not been made. We are assessing their proposals,” Tolossa said.

Nyota Minerals Limited is a gold exploration and development company dual listed on the London Stock Exchange and Australian Stock Exchange. Nyota has discovered a large amount of primary gold deposit in Tulu Kapi locality in western Wellega. The gold deposit at Tulu Kapi is estimated at 24 .9 tone.  Nyota recently sold its working interest on the Tulu Kapi mine to a company called KEFI Minerals, a London-based mining firm.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/2950-ministry-slashes-nyota’s-concession-near-gerd


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Agriculture, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Potash, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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02 January 2015 News Round-Up

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Official: Ethiopia dam project could start power generation by June

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A much-delayed $1.8 billion dam project under construction along Ethiopia’s Omo river could begin generating power by June and be fully operational by early 2016, an official said on Thursday.

Gilgel Gibe 3 will nearly double the country’s energy output, helping to resolve chronic power outages and sustain a booming economy. Work started in 2008 and was due to be completed around three years later, but the project has faced funding shortages over concerns about its environmental impact.

“88 percent of the work for the Gibe 3 hydropower project has already been completed,” Azeb Asnake, chief executive officer of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, told Reuters.

Two of ten units would be ready by June, Azeb said, while one additional unit would come on line each month after that. Upon completion the project will generate 1,870 MW of power.

Ethiopia plans to spend a total of $12 billion to tap the rivers that cascade down its craggy highlands over the next two decades in a bid to beat energy shortages and become Africa’s biggest power exporter.

The country’s economy is expanding by 9 percent a year, and the dam is part of an infrastructure plan aimed at sustaining that growth. A bigger project, the 6,000 MW Grand Renaissance Dam, is being developed along the Nile.

Power outages are common in this country of over 90 million, where a majority still rely on subsistence agriculture. Addis Ababa’s nascent manufacturing sector is also attracting firms from China, Turkey and India to produce clothes, shoes and other basic goods, but frequent blackouts hamper economic activity.

Ethiopia already exports power to neighbouring Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti, and it has signed agreements with Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan, as well as Yemen.

Critics of Gilgel Gibe 3 say it will reduce water flow and devastate the fisheries of Lake Turkana, which is fed by the Omo. Ethiopian officials admit criticism led the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank to turn down a request to disburse funds.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China stepped in four years ago with a loan of $500 million to pay for turbines.

Azeb dismissed the concerns, saying Ethiopia’s research suggests regulating river flow will stabilise fluctuating water levels. “If they read these studies, they would not continue with their arguments,” she said.

http://www.egyptindependent.com//news/official-ethiopia-dam-project-could-start-power-generation-june

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President says Ethiopia keen for more Nigerian investment

The government of Ethiopia is keen to extend support for Nigerian investors who are interested to engage in Ethiopia, President Mulatu Teshome said.

While talking to the departing Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia Bulus Paul Lolo in his office, Dr Mulatu said there are many business and investment opportunity that could make Nigerian companies profitable.

The President explained to the Ambassador about the various investment and business opportunities existing in the country.

There is a desire from the Ethiopian government to further boost the strong cooperation, according to a high level official who attended the meeting.

After discussing with the President, Ambassador Lolo told reporters that the Nigerian government is keen to enhance ties with Ethiopia and it is working to that end.

Activities are being carried out in both sides to improve investment ties, he added.

“Certainly we have many good ideas to bring private sector together to exchange trade mission so that Nigerian trade mission will visit Ethiopia and then Ethiopian trade mission will also visit Nigeria.”

Bilateral ties between the two countries started after Nigeria got its independence in 1960. Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Lagos a year after Nigeria’s independence in 1961.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1853-president-says-ethiopia-keen-for-more-nigerian-investment

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Addis Ababa’s $475m metro to complete next month

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The Ethiopian capital presently has 5 million people but no urban rail system (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The Ethiopian capital (pictured) presently has 5 million people but no urban rail system.

Ethiopia expects to complete the construction of Addis Ababa’s metro next month, the first urban light rail scheme to be built in a sub-Saharan country outside of South Africa.

Behailu Sintayehu, the project manager for the scheme, told the Reuters news agency that 80% of the track had been laid and that the system would be completed by the end of January 2015, three years after work began.

The commissioning period is expected to take another three months, before the first passengers board in May.

“We believe that it will have a great impact in alleviating the problem of transportation in the city,” he said. The capital’s 5 million inhabitants presently rely on crowded buses and vans to get around.

The metro will consist of two lines running for a total distance of 32km. It will have underground and overground sections, 39 stations, and two operators: the Ethiopian Railways Corporation and Shenzhen Metro.

The $475m cost of the scheme is mostly being met by a loan from China’s Exim Bank, and the construction work has been undertaken by the China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC).

Beijing has become a major partner in Ethiopia’s efforts to expand its infrastructure, with cumulative investments by Chinese firms reaching well over $1bn.

As well as the Metro, Chinese firms are constructing a rail link to neighbouring Djibouti.

Ethiopia also aims to treble the size of the road network by next year, from less than 50,000 km in 2010.

Ethiopia is one of Africa’s fastest growing economies, expanding by about 9% a year and attracting overseas investment with its with rock-bottom wages, cheap and stable electricity and transport projects such as the metro.

http://www.globalconreview.com/news/addis-ababas-475m-metro-com8plete-next-m5on5th/

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Ethiopian delegation of members of House of Peoples representative in Saudi Arabia

An Ethiopia delegation of members of the House of Peoples Representative’s led by Abadulla Gemeda went to Saudi Arabia over the week end

The delegation left for Saudi Arabia for a working visit upon invitation of Shura Council. In a meeting with the members of the Shura Council, Speaker of the House Abadulla Gemeda stated to that the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia is historic stresessing that the two countries are enjoying strong partnership currently.

The Speaker noted that considering the fact that Saudi Arabia needs large number of labor force the Ethiopian government is working to finalize labor agreements and so as export of labor is conducted in legal manner that avails protection to workers. He also noted that the government is working to address issues related to lack of skill in workers travelling to Middle East.

Speaking about investment, Abadula urged Saudi investors to take advantage of the investment climate in Ethiopia and opportunities in Ethiopia in manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

Representatives of the Shura Council extended their appreciation to Ethiopia’s development efforts. They also noted that the Shura Council is encouraged by the relation between Egypt and Ethiopia .The delegation is expected to sign bilateral agreements between the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives and the Shura council to further strengthen relations between the two legislative bodies.

The Ethiopian delegation is also expected to discuss with Ethiopian citizens in Riyadh.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1851-ethiopian-delegation-of-members-of-house-of-peoples-representative-in-saudi-arabia

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Mekelle University undertaking expansion with close to 3 bln birr  

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The Mekelle University in Tigray Regional State said it is undertaking expansion project in its all campuses with close to 3 billion birr.

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University President Kindeya Gebrehiwot, told WIC the expansion project includes construction of dormitories, cafeterias, classrooms, research and community service centers, laboratories, libraries, workshops, offices, sport academies, social centers, model community schools, among others.

He said the expansion project would enable the university to increase its enrollment capacity. The university enrolled 32, 000 students this academic year, of which 24,000 are regular students.

According to Kindeya, the university is training 2, 400 students in masters and 24 students in PhD program.

In order to ensure education quality, the university is undertaking special and continuous activities, including a modular system which enhances learning by providing students with intensive and focused time on each topic, he said.

Kindeya further said the university is building teachers’ capacities to maximize the quality of education. Out of the total 1,637 teachers in the university, 1,245 teachers are second and above degree holders.

He added that some 125 instructors were also hired from foreign countries to maintain the quality of the master’s programs being offered by the university.

The university is applying 1-to-5 network in all departments, where one student responsible for tutoring five slow learners, so that students can contribute their share to ensure education quality, he said.

Mekelle University aspires to become one of the top 25 universities in Africa by 2025, it was learnt.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16847-mekelle-university-undertaking-expansion-with-close-to-3-bln-birr-

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Germany extends 35 million Euros for TVET excellence program

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The government of Germany donated 35 million Euro to support technical and vocational education and training (TVET) excellence centres in Ethiopia.

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Germany has extended a total of 20 million Euro previously during the first and second phase of the program, which aimed to strengthen selected TVET institutions. 

German Development Bank (KfW) Deputy Director Saskia Birling said 11 institutions are eligible to this support.

Six of the 11 institutions have got priority and they will be furnished with the necessary equipment next month, she added.

Deputy Director-General of Ethiopia’s TVET Agency, Nguse Gebre for his part said the program is aimed at making selected institutions center of excellence for TVET.

The program will help to train and upgrade of the skills and competency of technical teaching staff thereby provide standard trainings for students, he added.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1849-germany-extends-35-million-euros-for-tvet-excellence-program

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Ethiopia building station to launch rocket

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Ethiopia is building a station at the northern part of the country to launch rockets up to 30km distance in to the space, project manager Eng. Mulualem HileMarian said.

According to him, construction of a station, Alpha Meles named after the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, is being built at the Tigray regional state.

Constructions of two underground stations, in which preparation activities and testing will be carried out are also being built. 

Testing for the system and capacity of the rocket to be launched will be finalized in these underground stations until the end of the month of July, he added.

Sixty engineers drawn from various fields are working day and night for the success of the project.

Parts of the station are fabricated locally by Mesfin Industrial Engineering and Mesebo Cement, local private companies and the Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), the stated owned military industry.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1834-ethiopia-building-station-to-launch-rocket

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Customs proclamation takes effect this week

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A new customs proclamation is promulgated and is in effect as of Wednesday December 24, 2014. The new bill has fully replaced the former customs bill, Proclamation Number 622/2009.

The new proclamation is dubbed Proclamation 859/2014 which aims at promoting and supporting the manufacturing industry and economic development has eight parts.

The newly passed bill introduces structural changes in the authority and its human resources management. In addition to this it has included provision that ensures free movement of goods for those organizations identified as Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), eases Post Clearance Audits (PCA), and decentralizes the activity of the authority.

According to Capital, the proclamation will fill gaps that were witnessed because of the customs proclamation that has been in effect for the past five years. The newspaper furthered it is the need for a more modern customs legal framework to support development of industries and investment has made the introduction of the new proclamation necessary.

Commenting on the promulgation of the new proclamation Girma Tafesse, Federal Inland Revenue Branches Coordination Office Directorate Director of ERCA, said; “The new proclamation will accelerate the international and local business in collaboration with the upcoming new proclamation for income tax”.

Draft proclamation which will amend the income tax legal regime governing is also on the making and is now at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) for final revision before it is delivered to the Councils of Ministers.

http://www.2merkato.com/news/alerts/3492-ethiopia-new-customs-proclamation-came-to-effect

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Why Africa’s degraded soils will cost the continent dearly

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The United Nations has named 2015 the International Year of Soils. You will be forgiven for not having it marked on your calendar already – but the truth is, the ground under our feet, particularly in Africa, should be getting much more attention than it currently does.

Africa is showing great promise, home to seven of the world’s fastest growing economies, with foreign domestic investment tripling in the last decade. But the continent is still haunted by unacceptably high rates of hunger and malnutrition that are hindering development processes. When we factor in that Africa’s millions of smallholder farmers, most of them women, are trying to grow their crops on famished soil, we may well be getting to the root of the problem.

It is estimated that 65 percent of Africa’s agricultural land is degraded, and that land degradation is costing sub-Saharan Africa approximately $68bn per year. Halting and reversing this will be fundamental to fostering Africa’s economic growth. We know that growth from agriculture is up to eleven times more effective at reducing poverty than growth in any other sector in Africa. Investing in restoring, conserving and enhancing Africa’s soils will certainly have a knock on effect on the overall development of the region through sustainable productivity increases.

With some 60 percent of the world’s unused agricultural land in Africa, the world and Africa stand to gain from investments to restore, conserve and enhance the fertility of Africa’s soils. That is why the Montpellier Panel is launching a new report this week that outlines concrete recommendations for donors and governments on what needs to be done to improve Africa’s soils.

This new report shows that the uptake of appropriate land management practices that would lead to healthier soils in Africa remains low. Too often, the choice is made to forego better practices in favour of more affordable, less labour intensive or alternative uses of resources. Traditional approaches to restoring and conserving soil health have been steadily abandoned by smallholder farmers as population increases have shortened or eliminated fallow systems, climate change takes hold on weather and rainfall patterns, and farm labour remains in short supply. Yet more modern approaches – involving herbicides, improved seeds and synthetic fertilizers for example – remain prohibitively expensive and unavailable in remote areas, leaving African soils in limbo.

Farmers must be equipped with the tools they need to adopt an integrated approach that combines traditional approaches such as water harvesting, erosion control, intercropping and the use of organic fertilizers with the appropriate use of necessary inputs like mineral fertilisers. Donors and governments must focus on investing in the training farmers need, as well as making the inputs they need more readily available and affordable.

The Soil Health Programme run by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has been working towards these goals since 2009. AGRA has trained almost two million farmers in 13 countries in “Integrated Soil Fertility Management” (ISFM) and has reached out to another 3.5 million farmers through radio and other communication channels to promote for ISFM practices, such as fertiliser micro-dosing combined with the use of improved seed. In Tanzania, Malawi and Ghana, farmers participating in AGRA’s soil health initiatives are doubling and even tripling yields of maize, sorghum, pigeon pea and soybean.

Currently, donor and government strategies do not pay sufficient attention to land restoration and management. Where commitments have been made by donors to combat degradation of Africa’s soils, these are not aligned with investment plans already put in place by African governments in their Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Compacts, nor are these commitments easily quantified, monitored or evaluated.

Recommendations for action outlined in the report also advocate creating incentives for Africa’s smallholder farmers to invest in their land. Here, secure land rights through titling would be an important tool. This would encourage farmers to make long term investment decisions to enhance the fertility of their soils.

Encouraging political leaders to commit to a Zero Net Land Degradation target for halting land degradation will also be key. The Sustainable Development Goals – which will succeed to Millenium Development Goals as a framework for guiding global development policy in 2015 – are currently being formed. These debates present an ideal opportunity to bring the issue of land degradation to the fore at a high level.

Bridging gaps in data available on African soils through the use of advanced remote sensing systems, dense networks of local weather information and “citizens’ science” networks is critical. Soil mapping schemes are already underway in Ethiopia – such initiatives must be supported and replicated across the continent.

To similar effect, a new generation of African soil scientists must be nurtured so that they will have the capacity to carry out this continued analysis and implement soil health restoration programmes. Africa’s soils are as varied as the farmers who work them. Appropriate solutions for each region will only be found when local scientists and farmers work together.

Africa cannot afford to leave its land in limbo. A vibrant, agriculture-driven rural economy is the continent’s most promising exit route from poverty. This cannot be achieved with degraded soils.

Namanga Ngongi is a member of the Montpellier Panel and former president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

http://www.thisisafricaonline.com/News/Why-Africa-s-degraded-soils-will-cost-the-continent-dearly

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Efforts underway to supply cooking oil demand with local products

Several efforts geared towards addressing the growing demand for cooking oil with locally produced oil is well underway.

As such, 11 types of pulses and oilseeds with potentials to enable the country produce affordable cooking oil in large quantities have been identified. In particular, soya beans have been selected as the most viable oilseed for this purpose. Plans to mass produce soya beans and supply it to cooking oil factories will be activated shortly. The Ministry of Industry and The Ministry of Agriculture are working in collaboration to link farmers with the raw materials and factories that need the pulses and oilseeds.

State Minister of Industry Mebrahtu Meles (Ph.D.) said farmers producing oilseeds in Bahirdar and Adama have established working relations with cooking oil producing factories.

Ethiopia exports a large amount of oilseeds but imports cooking oil at a much expensive price tag. The latest effort to produce cooking oil locally is aimed at resolving this irony.

Efforts to promote the mass production of soya beans also include arrangements with Sugar Corporation to plant soya beans on farm fields not hosting sugar cane. Wonji and Metehara Sugar factories have already tried this scheme.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1836-efforts-underway-to-supply-cooking-oil-demand-with-local-products

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Is Somaliland truly ‘open for business’?

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BY

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Somalia has the reputation of being a mysterious and conflict-ridden land. Who hasn’t heard of the infamous “Black Hawk down” episode, the militant group al-Shabaab or the pirates off the Somali coast?

But in the northwest corridor of war-ravaged Somalia lies Somaliland, a self-declared independent state that claims to be open for business. Really?

It’s easy to dismiss the “open for business” claim by Somaliland’s Ministry of Planning as mere fantasy or wishful thinking. Flying from Nairobi on a painfully slow UN-chartered plane, being greeted at the hotel by Kalashnikov-armed guards, or travelling to your meeting in an armoured car is enough to discourage even the most adventurous entrepreneur.

At first sight, Somaliland has all the characteristics of a fragile and conflict-affected situation (FCS). However, you never want to judge a book by its cover. In Somaliland, I’d argue that the conventional narrative of fragility needs to be revisited.

The Republic of Somaliland has been an internationally recognised autonomous region but has not been recognised as an independent state since it broke away from Somalia in 1991 after the fall of Somali dictator Siad Barre. Somaliland’s GDP per capita is estimated at US$347, one of the lowest in the world, according to the World Bank.

However, like many FCS economies in sub-Saharan Africa, Somaliland has embarked on a path to reform its business environment. This has partly been possible thanks to the relative peace and stability that prevails and thanks to the existence of a functioning democratic government. The 2012-2016 National Development Plan sets out an ambitious capital investment proposal of $1.19bn. But the regulatory framework will need to be improved to foster investments.

According to the Doing Business in Hargeisa 2012 report, many crucial reforms need to be considered in order to improve the investment climate. If one compares Hargeisa to the 183 economies measured by Doing Business 2012, it would rank 174th on ease of doing business – ahead of economies like Eritrea (180th) or Chad (183rd), but behind Djibouti (170th).

To complement the regulatory reform process, a team from the World Bank Group’s Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice is working with the government and private sector to lay the groundwork for the Somaliland Business Development Forum (SBDF), the state’s first public-private dialogue (PPD) platform. The World Bank Group held a workshop in November to raise awareness and discuss the Doing Business indicators. More than 85 representatives from the government and the private sector, including heavyweights like Dahabshiil and Telesom, participated and showed their support for PPD and a better business environment.

Leading this workshop was one of the toughest jobs I’ve ever had as facilitator – not due to any resistance from the participants, but rather due to the overwhelming passion and appetite for PPD and for the opportunities that it offers. Somaliland is a country of traders who use dialogue as a traditional way to deal with conflicts and find sustainable solutions. Public-private dialogue seems to be a natural fit. The private sector has had the upper hand for many years, substituting for the government in areas like public service provision, taxation, licensing, and law and order.

In Somaliland, and in Somalia in general, it’s crucial to redefine the fundamentals of development: Instead of trying to reduce the role of the state in the economy, one has to bring the state on board. This has to be done by engaging the private sector and providing reassurance that the rehabilitation of the state will not come at the expense of business. Companies want to operate on a level playing field, and they require a more solid regulatory environment. The public and private sectors need to engage in a structured policy dialogue in order to identify the bottlenecks impeding the investment climate and, together, find solutions.

Joint commitment from the government, the Chamber of Commerce, and business entrepreneurs at large can help Somaliland move past the seemingly inalterable fragile-states narrative.

As I was about to board my UN plane to return to Nairobi, I realised that there was an Ethiopian Airlines jet on the tarmac. I learned, to my surprise, that it flies daily to Addis Ababa. It may just be a sign, but it seems as if Somaliland is indeed slowly opening up for business.

Steve Utterwulghe is a senior private sector development specialist. This article was first published on the World Bank’s blog network.

http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/is-somaliland-truly-open-for-business/45674/


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2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

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Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 49,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 18 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.


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07 January 2015 Ethiopia Business Briefs

 

 

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Agency Importing Over 8.6 Billion Birr Worth Agricultural Inputs

Addis Ababa: January 7, 2015 (FBC) - The Ethiopian Agricultural Development Supplier Agency disclosed that it is importing over 8.6 billion birr worth agricultural inputs that would be distributed across the country.

Among the inputs include fertilizer, vegetable seeds, pesticides and herbicides as well as vet medicines and spraying machines.

The agency said 400,000 metric ton urea and over 521,000 metric ton N.P.S fertilizer bought with 8.5 billion birr is being transported inland.

Out of this, more than 144,000 metric ton has reached port, and the balance will be fully transported by the end of May, 2015, it was indicated.

The agency said the imported inputs would be distributed to cooperative unions in all the regional states in line with the amount allotted by the Ministry of Agriculture.  

The agency has also been providing logistics support by purchasing 40 vehicles, it was learned.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1901-agency-importing-over-8-6-billion-birr-worth-agricultural-inputs

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Government to allow the private sector in multimodal scheme

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The Ministry of Transport is considering sharing the multimodal (land, sea, or road) transportation services with the private sector.

Since the government introduced the multimodal scheme about three years ago it has been decided to control the system on monopoly basis. The private sector engaged on logistics service has been complaining about the monopoly for the last couple of months.
They have also pointed out the issue to the Prime Minister to get the opportunity to be involved.

Aiming to boost the multimodal system, the government has formed an enterprise with the amalgamation of three public logistics enterprises, Ethiopian Shipping Lines, Dry Port Services and Maritime Enterprise.

A week ago the government stated that it has interest to include the private sector in the scheme.
Getachew Mengiste, State Minister of Transport, told Capital that the aim of involving the private sector is to speed up logistics facilities.
“We are considering how the private sector will take part in the multimodal scheme,” the state minister explained.
“We will not decide by our self but we will involve other stake holders and we will discuss it thoroughly,” Getachew said.
He declined to give the exact time when the government will allow the private sector to engage on the scheme.

Frequent private requests to deliver import containers, quickly has forced the Ministry to consider allowing the private sector in the multimodal service. “The multi modal service that we have been doing for the last three years has been deliveringproducts in around seven days but we would like to see that number reduced to five days,” he said on the discussion with representatives of major import/export actors and logistics companies, held on Saturday December 27, at Elilly International Hotel.

Freight forwarders and shipping agents have been stated their concern that the multimodal scheme has significantly damaging their business.
‘‘We are drafting the documents that will allow the private sector to get involved in the multimodal scheme, then we will conduct a meeting to have a feedback from stakeholders,” said the state minister added.
The private sector representatives told Capital that in several occasions the government stated that it will allow the private sector to be involve in the multimodal scheme. “But it is very delayed,” they said.

Multimodal Transportation Implementation Directive enforce all shipments that belong to the government to use multimodal transport through Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE). In addition the directive also instructs all vehicles of three tonnes or less to be under the new scheme and goods being shipped through the ESLSE, which was formed with the conglomeration of the three enterprises, are responsible to use a multimodal transportation service.

The multimodal arrangement is a scheme whereby the transportation of goods is under a single contract but performed with two or more different means of transportation. The transporter is accountable for the entire journey, including the shipment’s delivery at the final destination. The transportation can be carried out by rail, sea, and road.

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4850:govt-to-allow-the-private-sector-in-multimodal-scheme-&catid=54:news&Itemid=27

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EEP to build wind farms worth $ 3.6bln

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Détente Group LLC with its Pan African Partner Tristar Group LLC (TSG) last week signed a contract with the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) for the construction of four wind farms – IteyaI, Iteya II, Weldiya, and one among micro-scale sites and for the construction of 36 future bankable sites “the Microscale Project” worth USD 3.6 billion.

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According to Paul Delkaso, President and CEO of Tristar & Tritente Global Energy Group, the four sites combined will generate 1200MW and the project will be program based not project based. Most importantly Delkaso added, the advantages of the Government of Ethiopia adopting wind power, power generation diversification and continuation of the government’s zero carbon footprint, as well as green power revolution is well thought, admirable and should be commended as a pilot program for most countries in the world.

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Ethiopia’s power generation mix is predominately hydro power based, for the obvious reason that hydro has the lowest renewable power generation cost. Given the undo risk associated with periodic droughts on a predominately hydro based power supply, the government’s decisive steps toward taking a very long-term planning view and definitive steps towards introducing alternative renewable energy power generation should be commended, said Delkaso. An example of a country that failed to diversify its power generation base is Pakistan. The extended drought that they have experienced has much of their hydro plants operating at run-of-the-river water levels, resulting in frequent brownouts which have crippled the economy.

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Financing

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According to Brien Morgan, Managing Partner Détente Group, all project contracts are fully funded by US Ex-Im Bank’s Loan Guarantee Program or GOV– GOV program. Morgan also added that the bulk of the financing associated with the contractor’s PMO (Project Management Office) Contract shall be obtained through the US Ex-Im Bank’s Loan Guarantee Program or GOV-GOV program.  At the direction of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), the contract price and quarterly invoice payment schedule will be modified downward in order to arrive at the maximum Ex-Im Bank loan guarantee amount of 85% for all projects.

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Wind Farm and Power Evacuation Contract Financing

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In addition to financing the Contractor’s PMO Contract, the contractor is also proffering to arrange the financing of the four Wind Farm and Power Evacuation system irrespective of the vendor’s country of origin.  If EEP decides to select a US Vendor, the US Ex-Im bank would be the export credit agency with whom the contractor would work with to finance the purchase and construction of the four Wind Farms. Although the contractor’s services are financed by the US Ex-Im Bank, in no way is the contractor or EEP obligated to select US Vendors.

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Education, training programs and knowledge transfer

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An effective partnership among U.S. and Ethiopian universities, governments, and the private sector can play a key role in energy sector technical capacity-building. According to Morgan and Delkaso, this project will include and build a successful technical exchange program needed to successfully develop energy resources and best practices technology transfer.

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Education and training programs for wind energy will be developed through collaboration between George Mason University (GMU) and Addis Ababa University (AAU), and Symposia and workshops will be organized to support sustainable wind energy development in Ethiopia.
Demitu Hambisa, Minister of Science and Technology in a letter to the Prime Minister office credited the project saying that it will help the Universities in their scientific advancement.

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The GMU/AAU capacity building educational services will provide comprehensive educational support for next generation scientists and engineers in wind energy technology and applications, said Morgan.
Educational, certificate and programs will complement ongoing vocational training with a synergistic approach to sustainable wind energy development (SWED), focusing on collaborative, multi-disciplinary education, training and best-practices knowledge transfer for practical applications, he said.

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The Joint Center of Excellence for Energy Sustainability (J-CEES)

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J-CESS, a collaborative effort between GMU’s Global Environment and Natural Resources Institute (GENRI) and AAU’s Ethiopia Wind Energy Center of Excellence will offer a comprehensive blend of technology and appropriate indigenous knowledge to ensure success for sustainable and adaptive management solutions to AAU as well as two other Ethiopian Technical Universities. J-CEES will develop and implement a holistic academic program that offers certificates of training for specialization, and computer-based training programs. This collaborative effort will ensure a holistic approach to implement best-practices knowledge transfer through the specialized center, he explained.

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This program will also support, the Ethiopia Wind Energy Information Service (EWEIS) and will provide a web portal information technology and communication (ITC) hub for all educational training and outreach resources to ensure effective communication and transfer of knowledge-based technology, tools and resources between J-CEES. EWEIS will provide a mechanism for exchange of instructional design strategy, methods to assess training effectiveness, and online Computer-Based Training (CBT) Modules and Best Practices Training Manuals (BPTM). The comprehensive academic training program will focus on improving skills to strengthen long-term sustainability of EWEP.

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The ultimate goal of J-CEES is to build a center of excellence that offers cutting-edge information technology in sustainable wind energy development.
Academic Wind Energy Demonstration Project (AWEDP)
AWEDP, a continued collaborative effort between GMU’s Global Environment and Natural Resources Institute (GENRI) and AAU and two other Ethiopian Technical Universities, will entail the installation on Ethiopian university provided research sites a dedicated 80 meter Met Mast in order to provide a full range of environmental data for research and operational applications.

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Through AWEDP, the Met Masts and LiDAR systems will be sufficient to prove out the wind resources at each of the Ethiopian Universities’ research site allowing AWEDP to implement, as an integral part of the Iteya I, Iteya II and Weldiya PMO Projects, one full size wind turbine demonstration units, and requisite power evacuation system during their respective implementation schedules. To facilitate AWEDP achieving its wind turbine operational goal, EEP allowed the Contractor to include the provision of demonstration unit wind turbine and sundry equipment and services within the Iteya I, Iteya II and Weldiya PMO Project wind farm procurement as a weighted and graded, immediately due, trade offset credit requirement. The opportunity also exists for the AWEDP to both self-fund and fund J-CEES by way of potentially creating a revenue stream through the sale of power to EEP.

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The company also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) for developing an atlas of Ethiopia’s national wind energy resources. The two year project which will determine the potential of the country’s wind energy will cost about USD 5.8 million. The study was presented to MoWIE free of charge as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility funded by the company and the World Bank.

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The DÉTENTE GROUP, LLC incorporated in the United States of America, provides investment banking and strategic consulting services to governments and corporations ranging from middle market companies to Fortune 500 corporations.

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Tristar Group LLC (TSG), Tritenet global energy group (TGEG) is specialized in managing and developing urban communities, developing green energy projects (EPC CO.) and bridge transfer of technology specifically generation of power from alternative sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal between companies and investors in the United States with government entities and private companies in Africa.

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Recently other two companies based in the US state of Maryland; Global Trade and Development Consulting and Energy Ventures, agreed with the ministry to develop solar energy in the eastern part of the country with a capacity of 300mw.

Another US and Icelandic joint venture, Reykjavík Geothermal (RG), also has plans to generate electricity from geothermal energy. These are not the first US based companies that have proposed investing in renewable energy in the country.

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Terra Global Energy Developers, LLC (Terra), a San Francisco based firm is working to generate 400 mw of electric power from a wind farm that it plans to build near Debre Birhan town, 130 km north east of Addis Ababa in Amhara national regional state.

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Wind Farm Project

Project #1:
Atlas Of Ethiopia’s National Wind Energy Resources (the “Mesoscale Project”);

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Project #2:
Microscale Wind Farm Bankable Resource Assessments, Power Evacuation Studies and Sale of Related Meteorological Masts, separated into an initial Phase I of twelve (12) Client-provided sites and options for a follow-on Phase II of twelve (12) sites and Phase III of an additional twelve (12) sites (the “Microscale Project”); Which will create 36 future bankable sites (program based) if more power needed.

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Project #3:
PMO Services for the Iteya 300MW, Rated Capacity Wind Farm constriction , Power Collector System and Power Evacuation to the National Power Grid Point of Interconnection (the “Iteya I PMO Project”);

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Project #4:
PMO Services for the Iteya II 300MW, Rated Capacity Wind Farm constriction, Power Collector System and Power Evacuation to the National Power Grid Point of Interconnection (the “Iteya II PMO Project”).

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Project #5:
PMO Services for the Weldiya 300MW, Rated Capacity Wind Farm, constriction Power Collector System and Power Evacuation to the National Power Grid Point of Interconnection (the “Weldiya PMO Project”); and

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Project #6:
PMO Services for one (1) Candidate 300MW, Rated Capacity Wind Farm, Power Collector System and Power Evacuation to the National Power Grid Point of Interconnection, to be developed from among the Microscale Sites (the “PMO Project IV”

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4843:eep-to-build-wind-farms-worth–36bln&catid=54:news&Itemid=27

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 Ethiopia: There is a big need for infrastructure – Jemal Ahmed

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By Jacey Fortin in Addis Ababa

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Jemal Ahmed Chief executive, Saudi Star Agricultural Development, Ethiopia. Photo©Jacey Fortin

Jemal Ahmed Chief executive, Saudi Star Agricultural Development, Ethiopia.

Reap what you sow

Sept. 23, 1970 – Born in Addis Ababa

1993 – Left Ethiopia for the US to pursue higher education

1994 – Returned to Ethiopia 

1994 – Founded Ahfa, a company that imported cooking oil

2004 – Switched businesses from auto parts to fast-moving consumer goods

2008 – Opened Horizon Plantations

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From his office on the 15th floor, Jemal Ahmed has a bird’s-eye view of the pitch where players face off against international contenders. But he does not have much time for watching matches these days – indeed, most of the time he is not even in his office, a bright space with sparkling white floors and expansive windows.

“I work 24 hours a day, whether it’s from home or in the field,” he says.

When it comes to private enterprises in Ethiopia, the conglomerate MIDROC is a behemoth. It is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi, a Saudi-Ethiopian businessman who is the country’s largest private investor and the 75th richest man in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

The company’s assets include Ethiopia’s only commercial gold mine, its biggest cement factory and the world’s largest contiguous coffee plantation.

Agriculture, which employs more than 80% of the Ethiopian population, is a focus for three of the enterprises under MIDROC’s vast umbrella, and Jemal has a supervisory role in all of them. He is the new chief executive of Saudi Star, the managing director of Horizon Plantations and Al Amoudi’s representative for Ethio Agri-CEFT.

Processing pioneer

According to Jemal’s estimates, Ethio Agri-CEFT produces coffee, tea and cereals across an area of about 25,000ha, while Horizon is currently cultivating about 32,000ha and plans to invest another 500m birr ($25m) in coffee and oranges, two of its “bread- and-butter” products.

Saudi Star controls 14,000ha of land in the western region of Gambela, where it plans to grow rice and cotton.

Though Ethiopia depends heavily on agriculture, crops alone will not be enough to sustain this fast-developing country, where gross domestic product (GDP) grew 10.3% in the last fiscal year according to official figures.

The government wants Ethiopia to diversify away from commodity sales by investing in value-added exports and supporting industrial development.

In that arena, MIDROC is a pioneer in Ethiopia. Its processing plants roast coffee, turn oranges into marmalade and reduce tomatoes to a paste.

“When agriculture is integrated with industry, it boosts economic growth,” Jemal says. “In Ethiopia, with the population we have and the labour we have, I think we could compete in medium-scale industries.”

Despite the government’s ongoing efforts to restructure the economy, Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector represents just 4.2% of GDP.

Jemal pins the blame on poor trade logistics and a lack of infrastructure. He says that he looks forward to the completion of government projects, including dams and railways, that will make it easier for exporters to operate efficiently.

“There has been a big need for infrastructure, which we didn’t have, but the government has been investing heavily in that,” he says.

MIDROC, too, has been making investments in support of Ethiopia’s economic goals. It purchased bonds worth 500m birr – more than any other private enterprise – to support the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a flagship project that will raise electricity generation to more than three times its current level.

Right place, right time

Addis is Jemal’s home town. He went to the US to pursue an education but this was cut short when his father died and he returned to Ethiopia to support his family.
He learnt his trade on the shop floor.

“I started as a trader at my father’s shop, importing auto spare parts and then moved into commodities by importing cooking oil,” he says.

The company he founded, Ahfa, became one of Ethiopia’s largest cooking oil importers. Jemal met Al Amoudi through mutual friends, and the two became business partners in 2007.

“I learned a great deal about Ethiopia’s economic growth through cooking oil. The consumption was just skyrocketing year after year. Sheikh Mohammed and I got together and wanted to develop a cooking oil project in Ethiopia, so with that we established Horizon,” he explains.

The government took over all palm oil imports in 2008, but by then Jemal was well on his way to a position of power within Al Amoudi’s diversified agricultural empire.

MIDROC rose to prominence as a key player in Ethiopia’s long-term privatisation drive.

The current ruling party overthrew the Soviet-allied Derg government in 1991, and although the government has retained strong control over sectors like telecommunications and electricity, it has spent two decades selling various state enterprises to the highest bidders.

“We have bought a lot of companies from the government,” says Jemal, though these purchases often come with stringent conditions: “They will put clauses in the contracts that will bind you, like you cannot lay off employees or you have to invest the amount that you put on your business plan or else face penalties.”

MIDROC is especially adept at navigating the business environment, says Jemal. “In the last 20 years, we have faced different challenges, so we have earned a lot of experience.”

But the company is not without controversy. With its collection of diverse assets and tight ownership structure, MIDROC’s inner workings are shrouded in secrecy.

Saudi Star is a subject of particular scrutiny, and human rights groups have lambasted it for participating in ‘land grabs’ in which the government leases huge tracts of land to companies while ignoring the rights of locals.

Jemal says the criticism is unfounded: “There was nobody there,” he says, referring to Saudi Star’s land in the Gambela region. “It was a virgin land. It is bush that we are clearing. There is no one displaced because of Saudi Star – not a single person.”

Saudi Star has also failed to produce crops according to schedule.

Aside from a 4,000ha plot recently acquired from the government, the land leased for rice has not reached commercial production.

The company cleared its plot but it is now overgrown. It will have to be cleared again before the scheme can take root.

The farm also requires irrigation from the nearby Alwero Dam, and Saudi Star is completing a 21km canal.

Construction of the conduit has slowed, sparking claims that MIDROC is facing financial troubles – a charge Jemal denies. He admits the project is “very behind schedule” but insists the firm’s ambitions will be realised: “We are hoping that by the end of 2015 we will develop the whole 10,000ha.”

Jemal does not seem worried about the prospects of Saudi Star or any of the enterprises under his watch.

But there is one thing he has yet to accomplish, and it has to do with the very thing that attracted him to agriculture in the first place: cooking oil.

All these years later, MIDROC has yet to secure the land Jemal and Al Amoudi want for the cultivation of ground nuts and oil palm.

“Cooking oil is still the best project I would love to get into!” he says. Available land has so far been hard to come by – mostly because Jemal and Al Amoudi do not want to start small.

“It’s just that we want to do it in a very big way,” he says. “I think both of us are very ambitious, and if we think there is potential, we try to grab it and develop it.”●

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopia-there-is-a-big-need-for-infrastructure.html

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Investment Projects with 5.3 Billon Birr Capital Go Operational

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Some 94 investment projects with a registered capital of 5.3 billon birr have become operational during the past five months, according to the Ethiopian Investment Commission

EIC Public Relations Director, Getahun Negash, said the projects have created over 3,000 permanent jobs.

The projects engaged in manufacturing, service and agricultural sectors will create additional jobs on becoming fully operational, he added.

In addition to those, 228 projects have received licenses during the same period, according to the director.

The licensed projects had deposited the 200,000 USD minimum capital required before they were allowed to start to work, it was learned.

The director also indicted that the Commission has been working together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other partner organizations to attract more investment to the country.

According to Getahun, the plan to issue 2,633 licenses during the first four years of the GTP period has been exceeded.

The projects have created 61,000 permanent and temporary jobs in the stated period, he pointed out.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1900-investment-projects-with-5-3-billon-birr-capital-go-operational

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 Turkey proposes first foreign owned bank in Ethiopia 

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Ziraat Bank, a Turkish agricultural bank, tabled its proposal to the Ethiopian government to open its branch in Ethiopia, Capital learnt.

The bank has sent its proposal for the government to operate in the country, but the nation’s law and the ruling party’s policy strictly prohibits operation of any foreign financial institutions in Ethiopia.
A delegation from the bank, which is known as one of the top two banks in Turkey, is expected to visit relevant offices in the near future to talk about forming the bank in Ethiopia.
Turkey is one of the three major FDI promoters in the country along with China and India. Within almost a decade Turkish investment in Ethiopia has reached USD three billion, which is expected become even higher this year.

Representatives from several companies accompanied the Turkish Economic Minister, Nihat Zeybekci, in December. During this visit the minister mentioned opening a bank for top government officials.
Osman R. Yavuzalp, Turkish Ambassador to Ethiopia, confirmed that the bank submitted a proposal to the government.
He told Capital that officials of the bank will come to Ethiopia to talk about the formation of Ziraat, which is state owned, here.
“We will negotiate this from our side but it will depend on the talks with Ethiopian officials,” he said. “Ethiopia has the final say because the establishment will be based on the rules and regulations of the country,”Osman explained.

After Christmas, a Turkish delegation will come here to talk about technical issues first and details will follow.

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4849:turkey-proposes-first-foreign-owned-bank-in-ethiopia-&catid=54:news&Itemid=27

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City to Launch Ground Water Project

Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority announced that it is going to launch a ground water project that would avail 86,000 cubic meters of water in a day to inhabitants of the capital city.

The authority has concluded a 47-million birr contract with the Federal Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise which would provide designing and consultancy services. 

In another development, the Omo Rift Valley Private Limited Company has started work after it concluded over five million birr agreement with a Turkish company to provide study, design and consultancy services for irrigation development.

The project is undertaking the study on 6,000 hectares of land in South Omo, it was indicated.

The company is reportedly expected to finalize the work within four months.

http://www.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/1897-city-to-launch-ground-water-project

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 Chinese Solar Home Systems to Light up Rural Ethiopia

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The 11,488 solar systems from China were bought for 2.8 million dollars

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The Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy (MoWIE), through its Rural Electrification Fund (REF), has procured 11,488 solar home systems (SHS) from the Chinese Company Cecep Oasis New Energy Company, which are expected to be delivered within three weeks.

The IDA provided the financing, a total of 2.8 million dollars, for the purchase of the systems which will be distributed to 11, 488 households that are members of the 207 cooperatives in the regions.

At different times previously the Ministry had procured and distributed institutional solar systems, says Yisehak Seboka, the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) Coordinator at the Ministry. The first was in 2006 when 200 health posts received these systems.

Out of these systems, Afar received seven, Somali 14, Benishangul-Gumuz four, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) 37, Harari two, Amhara 49, Tigray 14 and Oromia 69. Then the Ministry distributed 100 institutional solar systems to 100 schools around the country. Then the Ministry used 918,388 dollars of GEF grant to buy 270 institutional Solar Systems from Zhejiang Holly International Co., Ltd; these were distributed to as many schools. After that the Ministry bought 345 institutional solar systems from the Indian M/S Lucky Export using 1.6 million dollars of GEF grant; these were distributed to 345 health institutions.

The IDA, too, had supported the home system in a much larger scale, providing 10.4 million dollars, with which 25,000 units were bought from the Chinese Poly Technologies; these were distributed to 25,000 households. A second purchase after that availed 3,735units.

The current solar home systems procurement was shipped from China on December 29, 2014.

Oromia,Amhara and the Southern regional state will be the biggest beneficiaries from the latest purchase, each getting 2,861SHSs, 2,654, and 2,346, respectively. Tigray will get 1,217, Gambella 694, Benshangul-Gumuz 494, Harari 487, Diredawa 385, Somali 250, and Afar 100.

The generation capacity of the newly shipped SHSs will be 480.7kw, which will be additional to the existing generation power of 145,149.98kw of the SHSs.

The REF, which was established in 2003, is intended for the creation of access to electricity for off-grid rural residents.

The five-year’s Growth and Transformation plan for the SHSs is to reach 150,000 SHSs, and electrifying 3,000 rural institutions.

The REF, with 40 million dollars loan from the World Bank, plans to distribute 37,000 SHSs, 176,000 solar lanterns, 100 fuel saving stoves, and construct 10,000 biogas plants until September 2017.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/chinese-solar-home-systems-to-light-up-rural-ethiopia/

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WASHING MACHINE DEMAND BOOM

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Big Brands Compete for Market Share of Key Household Item

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Aggravated by his mother’s fatigue and the stress of having to wash the household clothes every week, Mesfin Tefera, 24, a resident at a Kebele house and an employee at a bank with a monthly salary of 3,000 Br decided to buy a washing machine a few days ago.

He had heard his neighbors, who had bought a washing machine recently, saying that the LG brand grants a two-year warranty. Thus, he was searching for a similar brand at three LG branches, though he could not find the type of washing machine he wanted to buy. The LG brand is imported and distributed by Metro Plc.

There are two types of washing machines, automatic and manual. The automatic is a type that is directly linked with the pipeline and can be adjusted based on wash, rinse and spin degrees. The manual one is not however linked with the pipe line and works upon the control of the user.

The price of the washing machines is also different based on their type, brand and the weight of clothes they can wash at a time. A manual washing machine of LG brand with a washing capacity of 11 kilograms and 14 kilograms at a time are sold at 9,500 Br and 11,300 Br respectively. Whereas the automatic LG brands with 13 kilograms and 17 kilograms are sold at 35,000 Br and 37,000 Br, respectively. Similarly, the manual washing machine of Samsung brand, which is exclusively imported and distributed by Garad Plc, is sold at 8,700 per 13 kilograms and 13,000 Br per 16 kilograms, whereas the automatic Samsung brand is sold at 10,800 Br and 11,250 Br for six kilograms and eight kilograms, respectively.

The type Mesfin wanted to buy, a manual machine whose brand is LG and has a washing capacity of 12 kilograms was not available at the two branches of LG found at Merkato and Piazza, he told Fortune.

A washing machine user, Semaynesh Eshetye, 45, a house wife who resides in one of the condominium houses found around Gotera, purchased a washing machine three months ago of Hisence brand, which is imported and distributed by Glorious Plc. The machine she bought at 8,450 Br, which is a manual washing machine with a capacity of washing 10 kilograms, is making her burdens easier and saving her from additional expenses. Three months ago, she used to wash all by herself, occasionally paying to an irregular servant who comes around just to wash clothes. She said with great delight that the machine has made her burdens easier and minimizes the costs she used to spend for a washing servant, which was 600 Br per month. The machine averts drain and makes convenience to wash at one hand and to do other household staffs on the other hand at the same time.

Selamawit Kassa, 24 sales agents at Omedad, which is an importer and distributer of Panasonic, Ocean and Ignis brands, stated that there is more demand of washing machine, especially on the manual type of washing machine that has a washing capacity of 11 kilograms and 13 kilograms. This is because the manual type is convenient to use at any time despite water interruptions and is cheaper in terms of price when compared to the automatic one, Selamwit added.

With the difficulty of washing at condominium houses, most residents are demanding washing machines and the brand of Panasonic, which has a washing capacity of 10 kilograms is preferred by our customers, she added.

The average order for washing machines per one week is three times. Each time they order five machines. That means that they receive 15 washing machines, which are sold within three days in the LG branch of Churchill Street. Similarly, a Konka branch in Piazza orders six washing machines per week; the manual type and these washing machines are sold within one week. Most of the time, the buyers are newly married couples, new house owners with middle and higher living standard, Abdela Kerem salesman at Konka’s Piazza branch, told Fortune. The demand for a washing machine has been increasing since the mid of 2012, he added.

There has been high demand for washing machines since 2014, especially for the manual ones, according to Rahel Getachew, a sales manager of LG at the Churchill street branch. The reasons she mentioned for the increase in the demand of manual washing machine is simplicity of usage and water managing. Unlike its automatic counterpart, the manual one can be used with less water and if and when the water goes out, it can still be used, as it is not directly linked to pipeline. In addition, the manual can be easily used without program adjustment, which is convenient for household servants. The price rate is another factor that makes the manual type more appealing.

Manual washing machines of the Samsung brand, which is imported and distributed by Garad Plc exclusively, are sold at 13, 000 Br and 8,700 Br for machines with the capacity of 16 kilograms and 13 kilograms respectively. Whereas the automatic Samsung washing machine is sold at 10,800 Br whose washing capacity is six kilograms. Eight kilograms is sold at 11,250 Br and 12 kilograms is sold at 38, 000 Br, manager of the branch Meseret Assefa states. Though she does not want to disclose the number of machines the branch orders and sells per day or per week, she said the demand for washing machine has been increasing since the beginning of this year.

Despite this, the manger of Ariston branch of Churchill Street, who did not want his name to be disclosed, said that though there is a boost in the demand of washing machines, the increase is not significant in number. He noted as an example that during the Ethiopian New Year F&M Trading had announced under advertisement made at Radio that it had arranged a six-month payment term for private and public servants. However, there was no one who could afford it in spite of the facilitation, he said. Ariston is a brand that is imported and distributed by F&M Trading.

However, many retailers of electronic goods have confirmed that there is a trend in the increase for the demand of washing machines and that the orders the branch retailers made to head retailers is increasing both in terms of rate of order and number of machines per one order .

http://addisfortune.net/articles/washing-machine-demand-boom/

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Holidays Come with a Boost in the Oven Market

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Bread is the staple of most Ethiopian holidays, with most families preferring to make their own large round breads. And the business of supplying those households with special baking ovens, with heaters on both sides, as this thick mass of dough needs to be heated on either end is mushrooming in the city.

The business of supplying this stove is making an impact on the daily bread and livelihood of those that make them so much so that Aynu Abdella expresses amazement how his life has changed for the better over the years. Aynu, 26, has been making injera and bread baking stoves for the past six years. That was when he stopped working as a taxi assistant (woyala) and became an apprentice at a friend’s shop.

“Even when I was an assistant on a taxi, I used to earn a good deal of money; but I did not think of tomorrow and had no vision for my future,” remembers Aynu.

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Aynu Abdella in his shops in which four of the readymade Injera oven steels being seen at his back.

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That was over when his friend invited him to join him as an apprentice. Within six months after that he had opened his own business renting a small workshop around Semien Mazegaja, off Dejazmach Belay Zeleke St. In those early days he was making small stoves with one heater, gradually transitioning to stoves with double heater. Then he started making the injera ovens and more recently the bread ovens with heater on the top and bottom. The top cover of the bread stove is also transparent.

When Aynu started the business for himself, he sells three stoves a day and later one oven a month. The stoves are sold better than the ovens as the ovens require special times like holidays to be sold.

“The market for the ovens is seasonal and many come to me when the holidays approach and when they leave their placed buying a condominium house,” Aynu explains.

Aynu uses steel plate bodies for the making of the Injera ovens and the stoves that he makes. But the bread baking ovens need to be made of aluminum to avoid rust. He buys the readymade steel and aluminum plates from Merkato, the largest market place in the country for 600 Br and 1,100 Br, respectively.

In addition to these materials he has to buy sockets for 30 Br, and the switches for 1100 Br each. And the making of one Injera oven costs him 900 Br and the bread oven up to 1,500 Br.

Having started the business with just 700 Br in his pocket, he now proudly speaks as he owns a taxi cab as well as pays, rent for his house and workshop.

Another person in the business Yohannes Engidawork who started the business five years ago, leaving his mother’s home in search of job holding only 50 Br and an old Injera oven, now has one automobile and four shops with his central shop located around Arat Kilo. He started by maintaining old and broken ovens and stoves going door to door. Before he went to the making of the stoves and the ovens, he took short term training in technical schools in electronics and began working with the stoves.

“Now I want to specialize in bread baking stoves which I found interesting in its complication and satisfaction I find from working on it,” he said.

Being in the business for the past five years, Yohannes has managed to buy an automobile for himself and employs 10 workers.

“One bread baking oven takes up to 1,100 Br and is sold for 1,700 Br but they do not have market except for the holidays; the stoves have better market than the ovens,” he said.

Yohannes spends three days to make one bread baking oven and most of his customers are people that come hearing his reputation.

“The market for the bread oven is still to grow and I am spending more time on it to upgrade the quality, especially to improve its electric consumption,” he says.

One young man of 18 whom Fortune met at one such workshop was employed in order to get the experience. A friend who had for a while worked in such workshop is now working in a different area waiting for him to get enough experience so that the two could open a shop together.

The stoves that are displayed at Yohannes’ shops sell for 650 Br if they are double. The single stoves with switches and without switches sell for 250 Br and 350 Br respectively. Injera ovens sell for 1,900 Br if they are with a box for the flour mix to put in and if it has no box, it is sold for 1,400 Br. The bread ovens sell for 1,600 Br.

Although these persons remain to seem happy by the current market they have, they also have a major problem in the market linkage and getting sustainable markets.

“People say that this holiday [the Ethiopian Christmas] is bread holiday; so many buy bread ovens on this holiday than any other time,” says Aynu. “But this market is not sustainable and we might not find market for the following two or three months as there is no place to display our products.”

Aynu has been ordered to make two bread ovens for the holiday and Yohannes three ovens although the latter has already gotten the ovens in hand.

“I have at least three bread ovens in each of my four shops and they will wait for customers until the holiday approaches as our market is seasonal,” says Yohannes.

The same purpose oven that comes from Turkey that the Ethiopian Household and Office Furniture Enterprise (ETHOF) sales is priced 2,700 Br and it can bake from 2.5kg to three kilograms of dough at a time. The oven has two trays, one for the three kilograms dough and the other for the 2.5kg dough which can be exchanged depending on the size of the bread that the baker wants to make.

“The ovens and the stoves that we make are cheaper compared to the imported ones and they are easy to maintain as they are home made,” says Yohannes.

Now he plans to have one big display and selling place for the products he makes especially for the promotion of the bread ovens.

Although the culture of using these machines is yet to grow, the implication seems that the customary way of baking bread being drowned by the smoke of the woods for the fueling of traditional baking steel plates or potteries is changing.

A bakery of bread that sells bread around the Addis Abeba University on the way to Yekatit 12 Preparatory School says that except for the electric consumption, the use of electric equipment is better than the customary way.

“I make at least three breads a day that I supply to the market cutting into pieces. Using the electric ovens saved my time and I have got rid of the smoke that would happen by the wood fuel,” she says.

She sells pieces of breads that she cuts for five Br and she makes at least 30 cuts from one circle bread. She pays 100 Br to 150 Br a month for electricity.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/holidays-come-with-a-boost-in-the-oven-market/

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Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, EEPCO F.C., Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Potash, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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Costly fertiliser holds back a green revolution in Africa

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Sub-Saharan farmers are being denied high yields because they cannot afford the chemical means to replenish nutrient-depleted soil

Soil isn’t sexy – but it could explain hunger in Africa

 

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fertiliser in Uganda

The ‘container village’ in Kampala is Uganda’s main agricultural trading centre.

The bunches of bananas that Teo Kataratambi and her husband, Silver, grow on their land fetch the equivalent of only £1.40 each. The larger bunches that they used to grow sold for double that amount.

A few years ago, though, the Kataratambis noticed a drop in the size and quality of the fruit they produce on their small third-generation farm in Nyamiyada village, south-west Uganda.

“In the first years, the soil was good but then it changed,” says Silver. Teo adds: “We don’t make much money. We can’t break even.”

The change was caused by years of farming without using sufficient fertilisers to replenish the soil’s nutrients. The result, as the Kataratambis now see, is poor crop yields.

In contrast with their counterparts in the global north and Asia, many farmers in sub-Saharan Africa rely on manure rather than chemical fertilisers. But the organic alternative cannot meet the demand.

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Fertiliser in Uganda

Fallen leaves help fertilise the soil on a banana plantation in south-west Uganda

In Europe, organic farming makes up only 5.4% of all agricultural land, according to Eurostat. Food and Agriculture Organisation data shows that, globally, less than 1% of agricultural land is farmed using organic methods.

Organic fertiliser can help freshen up Africa’s ailing, rusty-red soils, but there is not enough land available to produce manure in sufficient quantities, says Professor Ken Giller, a soil scientist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. One cow can produce about 15kg of nitrogen in manure annually. But a healthy maize crop needs up to 100kg of nitrogen a hectare, Giller says.

Manure doesn’t contain all the nutrients that plants need to grow, adds Giller, leader of the N2Africa programme, which encourages African farmers to grow legumes to help fertilise their soil. Harvests have stagnated on the continent since the 1960s, according to data from the World Bank. On average, farmers in Africa harvest about one ton of maize (corn) a hectare, whereas their American counterparts reap up to 12 tons.

“Sub-Saharan Africa has by far the lowest rate of improved seed and fertiliser use of any region … [leading to] increased hunger and food insecurity,” says Sarwat Hussain, a World Bank spokesperson. Ugandan farmers are among those that use fertiliser the least.

The changing climate and booming populations will add further demands on Africa’s overworked soils. At the UN climate change conference in Lima, Peru, in December, politicians and scientists will discuss the impact on agriculture and the role of fertiliser.

African farmers are sometimes put off chemical fertiliser because of cost. The Kataratambis say they can’t afford to buy chemical fertilisers – consistently.

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Fertiliser in Uganda
Simon Weteka is a fertiliser dealer in Kapchorwa, east Uganda.

A bag of fertiliser could cost Ugandan farmers the equivalent of £40 – double the sum paid by their American or European counterparts. Much of the extra expense comes from import and transport fees, since chemical fertiliser is often manufactured abroad. Some economists claim international fertiliser companies are manipulating the market by charging certain African nations more than richer countries.

Martin Byamukama, sales manager of a fertiliser dealership, sits in a quiet alcove off the main drag of Kampala’s bustling Container Village – the country’s main trading area for agricultural products. Byamukama and his colleagues travel by road to Kenya to buy fertiliser (Uganda is land-locked). This travel ramps up the cost. Byamukama calculates that it costs him about £4.60 in fuel, import and loading fees to transport a 50kg bag of phosphate fertiliser from Mombassa in Kenya back to Kampala. Byamukama’s customers – farmers and smaller fertiliser dealers, many of whom work in villages around 200km away – can add another £14 to the bill.

About 1,800 meters up Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, Betty Liaibich’s one acre plot of rocky land feeds her 10 children and pays for their school fees. Her success is down to her tenacity and the chemical fertiliser she uses each season on her maize, beans and cabbages.

Roughly 20 years ago, Uganda’s publicly funded National Agricultural Research Organisation showed Liaibich and her neigbours how fertiliser works. They have been using it ever since.

“Once you have introduced fertiliser, you won’t go back,” says Liaibich.

Fertiliser is slightly cheaper here. The area is close to Kenya, and local dealers cross the border to Kitale to import the fertiliser themselves, rather than buying from Ugandan middle men. But still, Liaibich and her neighbours cannot afford to buy the recommended amounts to get the best out of their crops.

Subsidising the cost of fertiliser could encourage farmers to use more. National subsidy schemes in Malawi and Rwanda are showing some success. But they are controversial; the World Bank warns that subsidies often benefit the wealthiest farmers rather the poorest, and that they can stifle the private sector and economic development.

Organisations such as the FAO are pushing for greener solutions, including encouraging farmers to grow trees and legumes to fertilise the soil. But most experts agree Africa’s green revolution can’t blossom (pdf) without chemical fertiliser.

“Using legumes is a great way to help fertilise the soil, but we recognise that, on its own, it is not enough,” says Giller. “The bottom line is there is not enough in the system to keep it going organically.”

The process of revitalising African farming must be based on both conventional and alternative approaches, agrees Dr Bashir Jama, who runs a programme on soil health for the Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa (Agra), an NGO working to improve food security.

There is more to improving soil health than chemical fertilisers, says Jama, but they are essential to increasing production and meeting the goal to end hunger in Africa by 2025, which was agreed by African leaders in June.

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Fertiliser in Uganda
Nana Prossie owns a small stall in Kampala’s container village selling fertiliser and other agricultural products.

Without fertilisers, Jama warns, farmers will increasingly struggle to feed their families as the drain of nutrients from African soils becomes a major threat to food security on the continent over the next 20 years.

“It is a misconception to say Africa can grow crops using just organics. The rest of the world is fed using fertiliser,” says Jama.

Chemical fertiliser can help kickstart Africa’s farms and, as crop yields rise over time, farmers can use the extra crop residues as organic manure, and so reduce their dependence on chemical fertiliser, suggests Jama.

Organic approaches are more sustainable in the long run, he says, but chemical fertiliser use is unlikely to grow in Africa to the levels seen in the West and Asia that cause environmental problems, he says. Without fertilisers, Jama warns, some vulnerable countries, including Niger, will struggle to feed their growing populations in as little as three years.

The reporting trip to Uganda was facilitated by an innovation in development reporting grant from the European Journalism Centre

Sourced here  http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/dec/05/costly-fertiliser-holds-back-a-green-revolution-in-africa

 


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments Tagged: Africa, Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Potash, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1, Uganda Image may be NSFW.
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Hey all! Vote for Cam Read as your alternate appointee and reject the rest of the Allana board!

09 December 2014 Business News (UPDATED)

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Intra-COMESA Trade now at US $20.9 billion

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Intra-regional trade in COMESA has steadily risen from US $3 billion to US $20.9 billion since the establishment of a Free Trade Area in 2000.

This however, excludes the informal trade across the borders that currently goes largely unrecorded but which has been estimated at over 30% of formal trade.

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According to the 2013 status report presented to the COMESA Intergovernmental Committee (IC) in Lusaka, Zambia (4-6 December 2014) intra-COMESA trade is still low partly due to the similar products that compete for the same market within the Member States and the existence of Non- Tariff Barriers (NTBs).. For example in 2013, intra-COMESA trade was recorded at 7% as compared to other regions such as the ASEAN that have recorded 25% intra-regional trade.

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In his address while opening the IC meeting, Zambia Minister for Commerce and Industry Hon. Bob Sichinga said that focus should now be place on addressing the bottlenecks to intra-regional trade, such as NTBs, supply side constraints, border measures that affect and impact on volumes and values of intra-trade.

“It is incumbent upon all the stakeholders to address these bottlenecks to sustain the momentum thus far achieved, deepen COMESA’s integration agenda beyond the FTA, and attain a fully functional common market by 2018,” the Minister told the IC meeting which is comprised of Permanent Secretaries from Member States.

He appreciated that COMESA’s had developed draft NTB Regulations that would enable the region to address barriers related to intra-regional trade under a legal framework such as the arbitrary imposition of NTBs.

“The Annex on NTBs that also includes enforceability through the invocation of Article 171 of the Treaty is before this Committee, and the expectation is that pursuant to past Council decisions, you will now recommend the same for adoption by the Council of Ministers to facilitate its implementation,” the Minister urged the PSs.

COMESA has focused on industrialisation to address part of the supply side constraints and has subsequently put in place the Clusters Programme initiatives in the cassava, textiles and leather sectors. These clusters aim at establishing linkages between the SMEs to the particular cluster value chain; for instance, the cassava cluster links the small scale farmer to the market, through the making of industrial starch.

“Such initiatives go a long way in addressing the supply side constraints, but more importantly, increased value addition, leading to diversification of intra-regional exports,” the Minister said.

http://www.comesa.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1401:intra-comesa-trade-now-at-us-209-billion&catid=5:latest-news&Itemid=41

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UNCTAD and Luxembourg join forces to strengthen competition policy and consumer protection in Ethiopia

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09 December 2014
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The UNCTAD Secretary-General and Luxembourg’s Ambassador signed an agreement to reinforce the capacities of Ethiopian enforcement authority on 5 December 2014 in Geneva.

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Ambassador Hoscheit and Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi
H.E. Mr Jean-Marc Hoscheit and Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi

In response to a technical assistance request from Ethiopia and in consultation with its government, UNCTAD developed a project proposal based on the needs of the Ethiopian Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg provided financial support for the three-year project, set out in an agreement signed in Geneva on 5 December between UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi and Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to United Nations at Geneva Jean-Marc Hoscheit.

The project aims to reinforce the capacities of the authority in implementing competition and consumer protection laws.

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Kituyi expressed his appreciation to Luxembourg in supporting this project, and said that UNCTAD looked forward to its work in Ethiopia.

Mr. Hoscheit said that his country was happy to support the project in partnership with UNCTAD, an organization with which Luxembourg has had a long-term relationship.

The project, which starts in December 2014, will cover four broad areas; the policy and legal framework, the institutional framework, enforcement capacity building, and advocacy for competition and consumer protection.

http://unctad.org/en/pages/newsdetails.aspx?OriginalVersionID=896

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A Paradigm Shift: Entrepreneurship Taking Precedence Over Public Jobs In Ethiopia

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VENTURES AFRICA – In Ethiopia, a country of 90 million the main and almost the only source of employment was the government. Previously many young graduates dreamed of joining a government offices and becoming a public servant. But these days this attitude has been replaced by the idea of becoming an entrepreneur or self-employed.

Getahun Ekyawu is one of these new thinkers. He graduated six years ago from Hawassa University in Hawassa City, 268km south of Addis Ababa. He began thinking about starting his own business even when he was student at the university. After graduating, he started his first business, establishing a mushroom farm with an initial capital of $450.This business has blossomed into a $10,000 entity and employs over 15 people. Gethaun’s learnt about entrepreneurship from a course he took at the university. However, there are now a number of private training institutes for young or prospective entrepreneurs. These institutes offer short and long term courses ranging from three to nine months. The average cost of such trainings is between $45 and $110.

Dr. Werotaw Bezabeh owns a training centre. He established Genius Entrepreneurs Training Center 10 years ago with an initial capitalization of $2250. It currently generates more than $25,000 in revenue annually. “We have trained students for 413 rounds and our plan is to train one million entrepreneurs,” said Werotaw. Identifying business opportunities, how to prepare business plans and business ethics are some of the courses offered at Genius.

http://www.ventures-africa.com/2014/12/a-paradigm-shift-entrepreneurship-taking-precedence-over-public-jobs-in-ethiopia/

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Ethiopia’s $1bn eurobond oversubscribed on debut

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By Tinishu Solomon
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Ethiopia has declared that its debut on the Eurobond market was a success after its $1 billion bond was oversubscribed by 260 percent last Thursday.

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The East African country debuted with a 10-year- $1 billion Eurobond at a coupon rate of 6.625 percent.

According to the Finance and Economic Development ministry, the success of the bond “affirms widespread positive receptivity to Ethiopia’s track record of significant economic growth, prudent fiscal management and targeted reform agenda”.

Investors remained engaged throughout the process

“The transaction successfully crystallised the positive momentum generated from Ethiopia’s international roadshow, during which over 80 institutional investors were visited in the United States and Europe,” the ministry added in a statement.

Ethiopia attracted high quality investor interest despite a challenging environment in the market.

“Investors remained engaged throughout the process and reflected sizeable appetite to participate in the deal,” the Finance ministry said.

Initial price projections for the bond were put at a yield level of around 6.750. The government eventually settled for 6.625 percent for the $1 billion bond.

Ethiopia focused on a 10-year maturity rate to create a strong benchmark, which matched its preference for duration given its infrastructure-driven use of proceeds.

The transaction was distributed primarily to United State investors who accounted for 50 percent of the subscribers, followed by those in the United King (35 percent), Europe (14 percent) and others (1percent).

Fund managers dominated allocations (receiving 96 percent), underscoring the high calibre of demand.

A company from France acted as a financial advisor to the Finance and Economic Development ministry.

Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan acted as joint lead managers for the transaction.

Ethiopia has said the funds would be used to finance new infrastructure for the Horn of Africa nation, which battled against famine three decades ago and now boasts some of the fastest economic growth rates in Africa.

Ethiopia’s success follows that of Kenya whose $2 billion Eurobond in June was heavily oversubscribed.

http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ethiopias-1bn-eurobond-oversubscribed-on-debut.html

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A new frontier for yield

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With developed market bonds yielding record low returns, fund managers are venturing into frontier and emerging markets – notably in Africa, the fashionable destination for intrepid investors.

Ethiopia, for instance, is seeking to raise up to $1bn (£630m) with a 10-year bond, following a recent roadshow to European and US investors. The aim is to build roads, railways and hydroelectric dams.

Rated B1 by Standard & Poor’s and B by Moody’s and Fitch Ratings, Ethiopian sovereign debt is well into junk bond territory. Yet this has not deterred pension funds, insurers and sovereign wealth funds from subscribing to the issue.

The bonds are expected to generate a yield of approximately 6-7 per cent a year, compared to consensus forecasts for emerging market debt of 4 per cent (down from 9 per cent), according to Amin Rajan, chief executive of Create Research.

Meanwhile, former Barclays chief Bob Diamond is targeting Africa’s banking sector through his Atlas Mara vehicle, and private equity group KKR recently took a $200m stake in a Kenyan flower farm.

Retail fund managers are also eyeing esoteric plays. One is Mary-Therese Barton, an emerging market debt manager at Pictet Asset Management, who plans to take advantage of higher-yielding markets such as Lebanon and Vietnam. Unlike the debts of China, Malaysia and Mexico – which move with US Treasuries due to their dollar peg – these countries’ debts move in relation to domestic issues, she says.

Martin Harvey, deputy manager on the Threadneedle Global Opportunities Bond fund, says he has increased exposure to “quality markets” such as Mexico and Columbia. At the same time Zsolt Papp, who works on the emerging market debt team at JPMorgan Asset Management, says it has taken tactical trading positions in Brazilian debt after the price fell and the yield rose correspondingly.

The team is also reviewing the Ethiopian bond issue. “Like with any emerging market debt investment, if it carries a strong growth story and good valuations, then it is something we would consider gaining exposure to,” Mr Papp says.

Anthony Gillham, who co-manages multi-asset funds at Old Mutual Global Investors, thinks emerging market government bonds issued in local currencies are currently among the best value assets across the entire fixed income spectrum.

“Yields are above 6 per cent, which compares very favourably with developed market government bonds, particularly when you risk-adjust these yields,” he says.

“A 10-year gilt offers just 25 basis points in yield per year of duration, whereas Brazilian 10-year government bonds offer approximately 2 per cent yield per year of duration.”

He thinks many of the factors that have held back emerging market currencies since 2013 are abating, which will boost bonds denominated in those currencies. Indonesia has stabilised its balance sheet in terms of imports versus exports, he says, while weaker commodity prices have been a tailwind for nations such as Turkey.

“Given such reasonable valuations in the more mainstream parts of the asset class at the moment, I question whether it is necessary to move into frontier markets such as Ethiopia, particularly at a time when market makers are structurally pulling back from providing secondary market liquidity,” adds Mr Gillham.

Mr Papp argues esoteric corporate bonds are not necessarily less safe than esoteric government bonds, since their issuers recognise they could be shunned by the capital markets if they fail to meet their debt service obligations.

This pressure is perhaps more potent where companies are concerned, he says, because governments can rely on financial support from supranational lenders such as the International Monetary Fund.

He adds that investors should differentiate between fundamentally sound sovereign issuers and those facing a deteriorating or vulnerable macro backdrop.

“One of the main factors is the ability to absorb potential contagion from global financial market events, such as higher bond or foreign exchange market volatilities or a hike in US Treasury rates,” he says.

Mr Papp favours countries with strong solvency and foreign currency reserves, low debt ratios and no problems refinancing their budget or current account deficits.

“As commodity and energy prices look likely to stay under pressure, we believe commodity importers are better positioned than exporters, including central-eastern European issuers such as Hungary or Slovenia, but also South Africa, India and Panama,” he predicts.

Mr Papp says average emerging market debt yield and spread levels look attractive, with the company’s index of emerging market government bonds trading at approximately 350bps, implying an average yield of roughly 5.7 per cent.

Even with the recent rises in Russian, Brazilian and Venezuelan yields, he thinks emerging market debt offers attractive relative value, but cautions that risk-averse investors should maintain a broadly diversified portfolio.

This does not necessarily mean developed market debt should be substituted for emerging market debt, he says, but that it might suffice to add some emerging market debt to an existing portfolio to improve its Sharpe ratio.

“If investors decide to replace developed with emerging market debt, we would suggest maintaining a similar rating and duration distribution in the new portfolio, in order not to radically change underlying portfolio risks and interest rate sensitivities,” Mr Papp says.

http://www.ftadviser.com/2014/12/09/investments/a-new-frontier-for-yield-avjD9kyK3PXByqLLoT8nON/article.html

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Unlocking East African businesses’ access to Indian markets

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by ITC News

East African businesses are set to trade more with India by learning to take advantage of the country’s duty-free market access scheme, facilitated by the Supporting India’s Trade Preferences for Africa (SITA) project of the International Trade Centre (ITC).

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Following an amendment two years ago to India’s Duty-Free Trade Preference Scheme, least developed countries will receive preferential zero-duty access on 98% of Indian tariff lines. This means goods exported from least developed countries should have a competitive edge when entering the Indian market.

However, the five SITA countries – Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Kenya, the only non-least developed country – have not seen trade with India increase to the expected levels since the scheme went into full effect in October 2012.

‘For beneficiary countries to reap the most benefits from the scheme, they just have to send letters of intent and meet the rules of origin requirement as specified in the scheme,’ said Pranav Kumar, Head of International Policy and Trade, Confederation of Indian Industry. ‘Much needs to be done to raise awareness of the scheme among members of the Indian private sector, as they have yet to fully understand how to source products from less familiar trading partners, and also invest in least developed countries to export products to India.’
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Representatives of business, government and international organizations gather at SITA’s second Partnership Platform meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss priority sectors for development in East Africa

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Tackling trade obstacles

To promote such awareness and understanding, African and Indian entrepreneurs, policymakers and members of international organizations will discuss ways to make better use of the scheme at SITA’s third Partnership Platform meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 4-5 December, following previous meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, and Kigali, Rwanda.

‘Further investments from India would certainly help Tanzania make better use of the scheme,’ said Adam Zuku, Director of Industry Development, Tanzanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. ‘It would help address the country’s limited capacity to meet export demands, and Indian investors would be better placed to source the right products and access the right buyers.’

‘Building productive capacities, market linkages and enhancing investment attractiveness in the selected sectors will be a key way to ensure that SITA delivers impact and provides a sustainable template for similar South-South trade and investment projects,’ said Govind Venuprasad, SITA Coordinator. ‘It will also allow companies working in these sectors to become export ready to supply other markets.’

At the meeting, members of the East African public and private sectors will learn about the Duty-Free Trade Preference Scheme’s compliance and market requirements, particularly in sectors with high untapped export potential. Representatives of the Indian private sector will learn to make better use of the scheme to source products from Africa. The discussions will also focus on addressing procedural and regulatory obstacles to trade, in part through governments creating a more business-friendly environment through effective policies.

The stakeholders, representing business, government and civil society, will work together to finalize SITA’s intervention plan, focusing on specific activities in the selected sectors in each of the five East African countries. The sectors, selected through a series of consultative meetings, reflect demands in international markets as well as the capacity of African suppliers, and are selected in line with national and regional trade development goals.

The goal of SITA (2014-2020) is to enable East African enterprises to enhance their competitiveness to produce high-quality goods that match overseas market requirements. Indian businesses will partner by providing technology, skills know-how and investment to build capacities in SITA African countries for value-added production in sectors such as cotton, coffee, pulses and beans, oilseeds, and information and communications technology. SITA is funded by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s Department for International Development.

http://www.intracen.org/news/Unlocking-East-African-businesses-access-to-Indian-markets/ 

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Non-Tariff Barriers in Focus at COMESA Ministers Meeting

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COMESA Council of Ministers held their 33rd meeting in Lusaka yesterday with a call to address the Non-Tariff barriers inhibiting intra-COMESA Trade.

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The most frequently reported NTBs, reported through the online system are customs and administrative procedures, transport, clearing and forwarding issues. Currently intra COMESA trade stands at only 7% and has slowly been rising since the establishment of a Free Trade Area in 2000.

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Acting President of Zambia Dr Guy Scott who opened the Ministers meeting cited the Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures imposed by regional states on agriculture and tourism as major bottlenecks to trade.

“I have received complaints from the industry all the time on the non-tariff barriers that they can’t move their products because of Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements by importing countries”, Dr Scott said.

He added; “It was disappointing to note that some countries had continued to request for the certification of Yellow Fever despite the low prevalence levels of the disease in our countries. This has made the tourism industry to suffer because it restricts movement of people.”

Dr Scott cited Zambia as one of those faced with tremendous difficulties in exporting or importing their products as a result of the NTBs. He called on the secretariat to come up with harmonized rules and regulations that will allow member states to trade freely a scenario, which will result in, reduced cost of doing business.

In their last meeting held in February this year, the Council of Ministers had directed that the COMESA Secretariat undertake an audit and impact assessment of existing NTBS in order to come up with a schedule of their removal.

Article 49 of the COMESA Treaty provides for the elimination of NTBs and prohibits Member States from introducing new ones.

The report presented to the Ministers showed that NTBS have a negative impact on trade flows and were mainly responsible for the high cost of doing business in the region.

The meeting of the Council which was held under the theme of “Consolidating intra-COMESA trade through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises development” ends Tuesday 9 December 2014. It is expected to come up with a raft of policy decision to be implemented by the Secretariat and Member States including those aimed at eliminating non-tariff barriers.

http://www.comesa.int/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1402:non-tariff-barriers-in-focus-at-comesa-ministers-meeting&catid=5:latest-news&Itemid=41

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Ethiopia’s development throws in to regional economic integration: Djibouti emphasizes

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Djibouti, 9 December 2014 (WIC) -

The past ten years witness that the overall development in Ethiopia has brought a huge possibility to regional economic integration of the Horn of Africa, Djibouti Ports & Free Zone Authority said.

The Chairman of the Djibouti Ports & Free Zone Authority,  Aboubaker Omar Hadi,  told journalists the double economic growth in Ethiopia has played greater roles in economically integrating the countries in the region.

The chairman said that Djibouti is at a point where Africa, Europe and Asia are intersected that about 50 per cent of world shipping passes in part of the country’s maritime routs.

Due to the boosting infrastructure in Ethiopia, Djibouti is connected to Ethiopia by road and rail via which Djibouti will reach to the heart of Africa.

Ethiopia has now a huge and fast growing economy with a large market and population, 80 per cent of the goods handled by Port of Djibouti belongs to it, the chairman said.

Ethiopia has also been transporting 95 per cent of its oil through Port of Djibouti, the chairman said, adding that Djibouti has modernized and developed Horizon Djibouti Petroleum Terminal with storage capacity of 371, 000 cubic meters, he added.

Djibouti had made an additional 20 ha of dry yard area available so as to particularly accommodate the growing demand of Ethiopia, WIC learnt.

According to the chairman, the fast economic development and boosting of road infrastructure in Ethiopia has come with a bright future, which is mutual development and economic integration of countries in the region.

The sustainable development of Ethiopian market has paved ways for the expansion of port of Djibouti and the development of new ports like the Lac Assal and Tadjourah.

The newly under construction Export Terminal Project at Lake Assal with a coast of about 64 million USD is expected to load 6 million tones of salt per year extracted from the Assal lake, Engineers at the site pinpointed.

According to Djibouti Officials, the plan is to export salt extracted from Lake Assal to china and Japan and European countries.

The Tadjourah Port is also under construction with a cost of about 70 million USD and is designed for the export of potash. 25 percent of the construction has already completed, according to the site Engineer.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16463-ethiopias-development-throws-in-to-regional-economic-integration-djibouti-emphasizes 

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Ethiopia’s Economy Expands By 9% Annually

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Ethiopia said on Friday it had completed raising $1 billion with its debut Eurobond with a term of 10 years and coupon of 6.625 per cent, adding that the offer had been oversubscribed.

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Ethiopia is the latest African sovereign to receive a strong response on its first foray into the international debt markets. Investors have been eyeing Africa’s sturdy growth rates and Ethiopia’s economy is now expanding by about 9 per cent a year.

“Ethiopia attracted high quality investor interest despite a challenging market environment,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement, adding the 10-year maturity aimed to create a benchmark and proceeds would be invested in infrastructure.

Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan were the lead managers. The ministry said a French firm had acted as financial adviser but did not name the company.

Despite strong growth rates, analysts said Ethiopia had limited hard currency earnings, making its debt-servicing capacity weaker than some African states. It will also be more difficult for Ethiopia to build foreign reserves, which now cover little more than two months of imports, they said.

Kenya, Ethiopia’s southern neighbour which issued its debut Eurobond earlier this year, has reserves to cover around four months of imports

http://www.spyghana.com/ethiopias-economy-expands-by-9-annually/

See also  http://www.borkena.com/2014/12/09/ethiopia-inflation-rises-5-9-pct-year-november/

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Expansion of Ashegoda Wind Farm to help Ethiopia add 40MW of power

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Adama wind farm Ethiopia
Adama wind farm in Ethiopia

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Vergnet Group SA is conducting a feasibility study in Tirgay Regional State for expansion of the Ashegoda Wind Farm, a project that will help the country add to the grid a total of 40MW in Tirgay Regional State. Lodovic Dehondt, Ashegoda’s project director for the first phase has said the project is expected to end in 2015.

Ashegoda is considered to be one of the windiest places in Ethiopia and its one of the 11 sites that had been identified by experts with the potential to generate power from wind. Feasibility studies in the area commenced in October this year. The wind farm has capacity to produce 10 – 40 MW of electricity once it becomes operational.

German-based company Lahmeyer International GmbH has been hired by the government to provide project consultancy services and contract supervision and administration works. The funds for the project will be sourced from European banks and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The Minister of water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) Alemayehu Tegenu, and the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Debretsion Gebremichel have also entered into another agreement to expand power generation.

Ethiopia aims at generating 10,000Mw electric power from water, wind and geothermal sources through the Ashegoda wind farm and Adama wind farm during the conclusion of the government’s five-year growth plan.

Vergnet Group SA is based in French firm and deals with power generation from  wind,  solar  and  hybrid  sources. It has installed 900 wind turbines and operates in nearly 35  countries. Ethiopia has recently announced setting aside US$20bn for energy projects in a bid to construct 10-12 new power generating projects between 2015-2020.

http://constructionreviewonline.com/2014/12/05/expansion-ashegoda-wind-farm-help-ethiopia-add-40mw-power/

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GERD progressing well

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Addis Ababa, 9 December 2014 (WIC) -

Ethiopia’s mega hydroelectric power project being built on the Blue Nile River, known by the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), is progressing well, Ethiopian officials have said.

The project in the East African country will generate 6000-MW of electric power upon completion.

The dam is being constructed in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State of Ethiopia, western part of the country, about 40 km east of the border with Sudan.
Engineer Simegnew Bekele, Project Manager of the GERD, told Xinhua on Saturday that the project is progressing well in all its activities.
All the activities on the project “are progressing healthily in order to realize the project.

“We are mobilizing all the people, nations and nationalities of Ethiopia, including the Ethiopian Diaspora,” said Simegnew.

Ethiopia is now harnessing its potential for renewable energy to fight against poverty and improve the lives and livelihoods of its people, said Simegnew.

“This is a green energy; and this supports other renewable energy; and Ethiopia is the power hub; we have tremendous natural resources.
“So, we are now exploiting; we are now harnessing this potential to improve lives and livelihoods of individuals,” he noted.

“This is our primary agenda, number one agenda for our country; this is a project which is equipping us to fight poverty, our common enemy.
“The government has devised a strategy to improve the lives and livelihoods of individuals, the citizens.

“And we have already started developing such kind of infrastructures that allow us to fight poverty,” he said.

He said, “On Nov. 28, 2014 we already booked world record with a daily average of 16,949 m3 roller compacted concrete.

“At the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam hydroelectric project on the Nov. 28, 2014 we have already placed 16,949 m3 of concrete, which is roller compacted concrete.”

Bereket Simon, Policy Study and Research Advisor Minister to the Prime Minister, told Xinhua on Sunday that the project is progressing on the schedule.
“It is amazing; right now it has reached around 40 per cent.

“We are right on the schedule in all fronts; the clearing of the bushes, the forest has been done well; construction, filling of the Dam have been done also according to plan,” Simon said.

Ethiopia celebrates Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day on December 8 annually to commemorate the Day on which the country’s constitution was adopted about 20 years ago.

This year the Day is marked under the theme, “Constitutionally Embellished Ethiopianess for our Renaissance,” in Asosa, capital of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. (Xinhua)

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16472-gerd-progressing-well

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Ceramics Factory to Launch in 10 Months

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Medtech is going to be the second ceramic manufacturer to join the sector

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Medtech Ceramics Manufacturing Plc (MCM), a ceramic and sanitary ware manufacturer, is expecting the delivery of two ceramic manufacturing machines in three months, for the factory which could begin operation in 10 months. MCM was established jointly by Medtech Ethiopia Plc and Sheikh Faisal bin Al Qasimi, chairman of Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, and Star Group Holdings.

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The Company, established six months ago with a capital of 450 million Br, has finished construction of its factory building on a 20ha land. It is situated in Butajira, Southern Regional State, 132Km south of Addis Abeba, according to Mohammed Nuri (MD) general manger of the ceramic factory.

Medtech Ethiopia, a local pharmaceutical products manufacturer, has a 30pc share. The two United Arab Emirates (UAE) based shareholders, Sheikh Faisal and Star have 30pc and 40pc shares in the ceramics and sanitary products company, respectively.

“The main aim of the factory is to substitute imported ceramics,’’ said Mohammed.

Ethiopia imported ceramic products worth four billion Birr during the 2012/13 fiscal year; imports mainly come from China and the United Kingdom (UK), according to ceramic importers in Merkato.

Medtech says its goal is to produce 30,000sqm of floor and wall tiles on a daily basis when production begins in September 2015. It could employ 500 people, some of them coming from India and Arab countries.

The company and the Ministry of Mines (MoM) have identified an area adjacent to the factory site, where the company will mine red ash. It will only receive a mining license from the Ministry when it has finished the factory, according to a Ministry source.

The Company will get 98pc of input locally and the remaining two percent will be imported, including dices, mixers and colouring materials, according to Mohammed.

“We decided to establish the Company because thanks to the recent construction boom there is high demand for ceramic products which cannot be met by current production,’’ says Mohammed.

The only local ceramic manufacturer currently is Tabor Ceramic Products S.C, which was founded in 1989 on a 206,259sqm plot of land in Hawassa, in the Southern Regional State. It manufactures ceramic electrical insulators, table ware products, sanitary products and tiles.

Medtech made the order for the two machines three months ago from Caravan & Marine Equipment Company (CAMEC), a machinery equipment manufacturer, for 10 million dollars, according to Mohammed.

“The Medtech that is already planted in Butajira is at phase one. We are in phase two, getting land for the project in Addis Abeba,’’ Mohammed told Fortune.

Medtech-Ethiopia and Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries were inaugurated in February, 2013. It is a 170 million Br pharmaceutical manufacturing factory in Bole District, Addis Abeba, and has a production capacity of 25 million bottles of suspensions and syrups, 500 million tablets and 200 million capsules annually.

http://addisfortune.net/articles/ceramics-factory-to-launch-in-10-months/ 

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Ethiopia seeks Indian help to revitalise higher education

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As the Ethiopian government works towards revitalising higher education to meet growing demand by boosting investment in education under the country’s Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), India, with its long experience in the education sector, could help invest in Ethiopia, officials state.

This was stated at a three-day international seminar on “India and Africa: Developmental Experiences and Bilateral Cooperation”, and the Sixth Doctoral Scholar International Conference in African Studies that started here Monday.

The three-day seminar is being organized by the Wolkite University of Ethiopia in collaboration with the Policy Research Institute of African Studies Association (PRI-ASA) of India and the Centre for African Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

“This seminar can contribute ideas or innovations in this field so that we can incorporate this officially to the second phase of the GTP that we are now preparing”, Admasu Shibru, president of Wolkite University, told IANS.

“It is very important for us to realise the educational vision and transform the socio-economic situation of this country even as we are trying to benchmark all possible innovations in terms of developing each sector.”

The seminar under the theme of “Development, Diaspora and International Relations of African Countries” is being attended by academicians from India as well as the business community, civil society organisations and NGOs from Ethiopia.

“The very important thing that we are doing today is establishing the collaboration so we are just starting and once it is established we have to continue strengthening by shaping the partnership strategies that we are going to have,” Shibru further stated.

“This conference that has brought experts from across the world will explore the various faces of their bilateral cooperation from different paradigms,” said Aparajita Biswas, president of ASA, Mumbai.

“It is not only contributing to the global discourse on India and Africa but it will hopefully alter the existing narratives of this complex relation,” she said.

“This initiative is certainly the beginning of a fruitful relationship between ASA India and Wolkite University as we can work together for an enriching partnership to promote the exchange of the knowledge and people across the Indian ocean.”

India is known for its knowledge economy, it is known for its contribution to the world economy in areas of knowledge in modern science and technology and in social science and literary writing, says Dubey, director of Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai.

“Exposing them to African countries and establishing interaction with them will enrich their own experience as well as give access to African academics and help postgraduate students link up and see developing countries’ academics how they are seeing the world and how the situations are in similar paradigms,” he said.

“Different countries were confronting almost similar issues of development, proper action in healthcare and negotiating globalisation from a developing country’s perspective”.

According to Dubey, India’s policy on Africa needs to first look at the basic educational sectors. “As a knowledge-based economy, our scientists, our academicians, and our literary writers are making a difference all over the world. Therefore, it gives an opportunity to share this experience with Africa and the world”, he asserted.

This seminar that has so far been organized every two years was previously held in Kenya along with the University of Nairobi and in Durban, South Africa.

“Seminars like this have the power to fill the serious lack of academic interaction amongst academicians and scholars of India and Africa,” a participant of the seminar told IANS.

“This seminar is expected to come up with long term and sustainable partnership with India and Ethiopia and Africa in general. Then this will bring about sharing of all sorts of technologies, skills, innovations of all kinds which could help us improve our education quality.”

 http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/228370077

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Meta Abo Brewery to source all cereal raw materials in Ethiopia locally

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Meta Barley

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Meta Abo Brewery S.C., a Diageo company, announced last week that it will source 100% of all cereal raw material needs in Ethiopia locally in time for Meta’s 50th Anniversary, by the end of 2017. This local sourcing strategy will serve as a commitment across the entire Meta business and will not be limited to specific products or brands.


According to a statement from the company, currently, more than half of the brewery’s raw materials are sourced locally. It also said that for the past three years, Meta has pioneered local sourcing in the Ethiopian beer industry, being the first multinational brewery to engage in the contract farming of barley through its “Partnership for Agricultural Growth in Ethiopia.”
“Together with partners such as the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency, the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture, Technoserve, Syngenta, BASF, Nyala Insurance, and local distributors, Meta has contracted 6,113 farmers across Arsi, West Arsi and South West Shewa Zones of Ethiopia and works with 5 farmer unions and 39 farmer cooperatives as part of this contract farming agreement.”
By 2016, the brewery plans to engage 10,000 smallholder farmers, increasing this number to 20,000 by 2017.
Francis Agbonlahor, Meta Abo Brewery’s Managing Director, stated that, “’Diageo continues to demonstrate its long term commitment to the socio-economic development of Ethiopia. Locally sourcing 100% of our raw material needs is a major milestone on this journey and I am deeply proud about the phenomenal progress we have made thus far.” I am looking forward to continuing to partner and collaborate with the Government of Ethiopia, our numerous farmers, and our key partners to deliver even greater successes in the years to come.”
The scope of Meta’s work in local sourcing addresses many aspects of the supply chain, including barley varieties, seed availability, input sourcing and mechanization. All farmers that Meta contracts receive a comprehensive “Meta Package” that includes seeds, DAP and Urea fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, training and crop insurance which is pre-financed by Meta and repaid by farmers after they sell their harvested barley. In addition to these inputs, capability building is carried out for farmer groups, cooperatives and unions in the areas in which farmers are contracted.
Meta’s local sourcing work is part of Diageo Africa’s strategy to source at least 70% of raw materials locally by 2015 and an even greater percentage by 2017.
“The brewery’s pledge to sourcing locally is a key piece of Meta’s overarching strategy of growth and sustainability in Ethiopia. One pillar of this strategy is investment in the communities in which it operates,” the company said. The business is also committed to promoting responsible drinking, most recently launching the first fully-fledged Don’t Drink & Drive campaign in Ethiopia, Shoom Shufair. On a global level, Diageo was one of the 13 leading global producers of beer, wine and spirits to sign the “CEO Commitments” to implement the World Health Organization’s global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with a collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Meta Beer, and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).

http://addisstandard.com/meta-abo-brewery-to-source-all-cereal-raw-materials-in-ethiopia-locally/ 

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Ethiopia to invest US$1.4bn in petroleum pipeline project

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Ethiopia would spend US$1.4bn to build a petroleum pipeline from the Port of Djibouti to a storage facility in order to reduce the cost of transportation in the country

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The petroleum pipeline project is expected to take two years to construct.

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According to the government of Ethiopia, the 550 km of pipeline would carry oil directly from the vessels at the port to a storage facility in Awash. The trucks would then distribute fuel from Awash to the rest of the country including Addis Ababa.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) confirmed that the proposal had been submitted and they would look into it before discussing it further with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Ministry of Transport (MoT).

Demelash Alamaw, assistant CEO at Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise, said, “In 2013 Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise imported 2.6mn tonnes of fuel. In 2014 it has plans to import 2.9mn tonnes.”

The Djibouti government noted that the current port infrastructure is not big enough to meet Ethiopia’s long-term needs. Currently, the demand for refined fuels in Ethiopia is growing at 10 per cent per year.

http://www.oilreviewafrica.com/downstream/downstream/ethiopia-to-invest-us-1-4bn-for-pipelines

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 Press 4 for fertilizer – M-farming in Ethiopia

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ADDIS ABABA, 3 December 2014 (IRIN) -

One reason farmers in Africa mostly produce so much less than those in other parts of the world is that they have limited access to the technical knowledge and practical tips that can significantly increase yields. But as the continent becomes increasingly wired, this information deficit is narrowing.

While there are other factors, such as poor infrastructure and low access to credit and markets, that have helped keep average yields in Africa largely unchanged since the 1960s, detailed and speedily-delivered information is now increasingly recognized as an essential part of bringing agricultural production levels closer to their full potential.

In Ethiopia, which already has one of the most extensive systems in the world for educating the 85 percent of the population who work the land for a living, this recognition has driven the development of a multilingual mobile phone-based resource centre.

The hotline, operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, and Ethio Telecom, and created by the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), has proved a huge hit. Since its July launch and still in its pilot phase, more than three million farmers in the regions of Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) have punched 8028 on their mobiles to access the system, which uses both interactive voice response (IVR) and SMS technology.

“On average we get approximately 226 new calls and 1,375 return calls per hour into the system,” Elias Nure, the information communication technology project leader at ATA, told IRIN. When the number of lines doubles from the current 90, he said, “these numbers should significantly increase.”

More than 70 percent of users are smallholder farmers, he said.

Timely, accurate information

Ethiopia has the largest agricultural extension system in sub-Saharan Africa, the third largest in the world after China and India, according to the UN Development Programme.

This system has led to the establishment of about 10,000 Farmer Training Centres, and trained at least 63,000 field extension workers, also known as development agents. It facilitates information exchange between researchers, extension workers and farmers.

However, the reliance on development agents means that sometimes agronomic information reaches farmers too late or is distorted.

Push and pull factors

The agriculture hotline was proving popular due to its “pull” and “push” factors, according to ATA’s chief executive officer, Khalid Bomba.

Farmers could pull out practical advice, while customized content could be pushed out, such as during pest and disease outbreaks, to different callers based on the crop, or geographic or demographic data captured when farmers first registered with the system.

Recently, it warned registered farmers about the threat posed by wheat stem rust.

“These alerts and notifications were not available to smallholder farmers in the past and could greatly benefit users of the system by getting access to warnings in real-time,” said ATA’s Elias.

According to Tefera Derbew, Ethiopia’s minister of agriculture, ATA should boost its content to meet more needs.

“The IVR system offers users information relevant to the key cereals and high value crops, but I envisage that in the near future there will be the opportunity to upscale the service to include content relevant to all of the major agricultural commodities in the country, including livestock,” said Tefera.

The hotline currently focuses on cereal crops such as barley, maize, teff, sorghum and wheat, but plans are under way to provide agricultural advice on other crops, such as sesame, chickpea, haricot beans and cotton, while incorporating farmers’ feedback on needs.

For Ayele Worku, a teff farmer in Gurage zone of Ethiopia’s SNNPR State, the system’s benefits outweigh the frustrations of a patchy mobile network.

“The way of farming, especially for row-planting for teff is kind of new for me although I heard rumours about its advantage a while ago,” he told IRIN.

This break with tradition in the way teff is sown has seen yields increase by up to 75 percent.

An agricultural extension and rural development expert working at Addis Ababa University, Seyoum Ayalew, said: “The new service could build a synergy with the previous approaches of the public extension system, which is largely based on trickle down approach of communication.”

Seyoum noted that within the traditional extension system, “where information passes through different channels before reaching the farmers, [it] is subjected to distortion through filtering and translation errors.”

http://www.irinnews.org/report/100911/press-4-for-fertilizer-m-farming-in-ethiopia

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Eurobonds and potash will boost Ethiopia and Africa’s food security

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Ethiopia issued a dollar based bond to fund its development goals focused on increasing agricultural production, power generation and transportation infrastructure including the 6,000 megawatt Millennium Dam hydroelectricity project on a Nile river tributary. Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan will be handling the sale of the ten year bond (yielding 6.75%).

Ethiopia has been Africa’s fastest growing economy for the past few years; it follows in the lead of other African countries that have issue similar bonds (Eurobonds) recently, including Kenya, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ghana. Ethiopia’s bond issue reflects both the scope of its development ambitions – needing to raise at least USD$ 50 billion before the end of the decade to complete its development targets – and foreign investors’ growing interest in the country and Africa in particular. The Millennium Dam is seen as crucial to boosting agriculture in Ethiopia as well as some of its neighbors such as South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda. Indeed, Ethiopia has taken full responsibility for funding the Millennium Dam in order to establish greater control over the flow of the Nile waters and its power will allow Ethiopia to become a regional hydro-electricity hub.

It was exactly 30 years ago when the world learned of a terrible famine in Ethiopia, which also included present day Eritrea at the time prompting worldwide relief campaigns punctuated by songs like ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’ and ‘We are the World’. Much has changed today: Ethiopia is home to the third largest agricultural industry on the African continent and it is on track to achieve food security. Despite the huge challenge of expanding agriculture in a country that was not long ago on the brink of famine to ‘Africa’s bread basket’ is a huge challenge but thanks to farming method innovations and research, the country will, in the very near future, achieve food security. But Ethiopia’s ambitions reflect the wider agricultural growth phenomenon that has been occurring throughout Africa, which have been fueling the enthusiasm of local populations and private investors alike. With increasing urbanization and an exponential growth of the middle class, the African food market just waiting to grow and is expected to triple by 2030 according to a study by the World Bank in 2013. There is also a growing food deficit between demand and regional supply, which has contributed to interest in agriculture. Ethiopia and Africa will gains benefits in development and wealth creation along with agricultural best practices, better yield per hectare, and more intense trade links to developed countries. Recently a US private equity fund (KKR & Co) has made its first investment in Ethiopia.

The international investment and financing such as today’s aforementioned bond issue will help to address the technical challenges to agriculture throughout Africa as multiple land expansion projects are being planned all over the continent.  Thus, the enthusiasm of the private equity companies for Sub-Saharan Africa is accelerating, agriculture appears as a natural investment sector. An international law firm, Freshfields, has pointed out that agriculture investments in Africa have increased by 137% in the first half 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, facilitated by improving political risk and easier transactions. It should be reminded that Africa is huge, covering the second largest area after Asia, holing the second largest population. Moreover, the UN has noted that Africa has 17% of the world’s arable land and agriculture accounts for more than 20% of the Continent’s GDP. Farming now occupies 60% of the workforce in Africa.

African agriculture has tremendous growth potential because the continent still has many reserves of uncultivated land, counting 226 million arable land but being able to reach almost 500 million. Much of Africa is well irrigated and the climate is favorable to the production of maize, soya and sugar cane. The Chinese are well aware of this potential and have signed leases in the long term, using already 2-3% of the resources and Ethiopia is one of their leading targets. Africans will need more arable land and implement agriculture to increase food production yields. Production costs are low and the workforce is young and plentiful. If over the past 15 years, it has been Brazilian agriculture’s turn to shine, now is the time of Africa and it is estimated that the continent will become a net exporter of corn and soybeans in the next ten years. Other cereals include barley, sorghum, cotton, sugar cane, groundnut, millet and cassava. However, investment in infrastructure is not enough. African agricultures needs the right soil and productivity to flourish.

Potash and other mineral fertilizers are one of the keys to the Continent’s agricultural growth strategy. To this effect, Allana Potash (TSX: AAA | OTCQX: ALLRF) could become one of the largest potash producers in Africa thanks to a promising project in Ethiopia, addressing domestic, African and Asian potash demand. The Horn of Africa, from where Allana’s potash will be shipped, is strategically located to serve India, China and more importantly, all of the markets where potash demand is rising fastest such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Laos – all countries featuring potash intensive palm oil production. But it is Africa, where potash consumption, now among the lowest in the world, is slated to increase the most. Ethiopia alone will guarantee significant sales for Allana. Indeed, Ethiopia, which is home to some 90 million inhabitants, has ambitious economic growth plans and agriculture is its highest priority given that some 85 percent of the people work in that sector.

There is room for growth because most agricultural production revolves around a vast number of small rural areas with operations smaller than one hectare. Now, there are 12.5 million hectares of arable land in Ethiopia but the potential is 50 million hectares. The country has already sought international cooperation to help improve land productivity and make fallow land available for farmers. There is no more effective way to achieve this process than through a greater use of potash, which is essential to increasing yields and providing the kind of nutrients that African soils are known to lack. In the 1960’s-70’s, the use of mineral fertilizers grew considerably in Latin America while dropping in Africa. Not surprisingly, those decades (and until now) saw various famines in Africa, while food production increased in Latin America. Now, the International Fertilizer Industry Association suggests that African potash use could reach five million tons over the next few years. It is now not even close to a million tons. Allana is edging ever closer to production phase having been granted all relevant mining permits from the Ministry of Mines of Ethiopia; its strategy is to help develop and expand the mineral fertilizer market in Ethiopia and Africa in general – even if the initial focus will be East Africa. The African continent presents tremendous market potential for mineral fertilizers and potash in particular, given that it has the potential to attract 880 billion dollars of investment in agriculture by 2030, which will drive demand for products such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and machinery as Africa develops its own production of biofuel, grain refinement and food.

http://investorintel.com/potash-phosphate-intel/eurobonds-potash-will-boost-ethiopia-africas-food-security/ 

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Will A Eurobond Boost Ethiopian Food Security?

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By Dana Sanchez Published: December 8, 2014

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Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan will handle the sale of a 10-year, dollar-based Ethiopian bond yielding 6.75 percent to fund increased agricultural production, power generation and transportation infrastructure, InvestorIntel reports.

Agriculture investments in Africa increased by 137 percent in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, thanks in part to improved political risk and easier transactions, according to international law firm, Freshfields,

Ethiopia has been Africa’s fastest growing economy for the past few years, according to InvestorIntel. It follows the lead of other African countries that issued similar bonds (Eurobonds) recently, including Kenya, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ghana.

Ethiopia’s bond issue reflects both growing interest of foreign investors in the country and Africa, and the scope of its development ambitions, according to the report. The country needs to raise at least $50 billion USD before the end of the decade to complete its development targets.

Ethiopia has taken full responsibility for funding the Millennium Dam, considered crucial for boosting agriculture in Ethiopia as well as some of its neighbors such as South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda. This will give Ethiopia greater control over the flow of the Nile. Its power will allow Ethiopia to become a regional hydro-electricity hub.

Ethiopia is home to the third largest agricultural industry on the African continent, according to InvestorIntel. Not long ago the country was plagued by famine. Now it’s on track to achieve food security thanks to farming method research and innovation.

But Ethiopia’s ambitions reflect the wider agricultural growth occurring throughout Africa, which has been fueling private investors. The African food market is expected to triple by 2030 with exponential growth of the middle class and increasing urbanization, according to a 2013 World Bank study.

U.S. private equity fund KKR & Co recently made its first investment in Ethiopia.

International investment and financing such as the bond issue will help address the technical challenges to agriculture throughout Africa, according to InvestorIntel. Enthusiasm is growing among private equity companies for Sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture appears to be a natural investment sector.

 http://afkinsider.com/81039/will-eurobonds-boost-ethiopian-food-security/

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Insurance for Ethiopian herders aims to combat drought, conflict – TRFN

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YABELO, Ethiopia - Nomadic livestock herders in Ethiopia have received their first payout from an insurance scheme that tracks poor pasture conditions with satellite technology.

Ethiopia has difficulty drawing full advantage from its livestock resources – the largest in Africa – because of the unreliability of pasture and water caused by persistent drought.

The new insurance scheme, known as index-based livestock insurance, aims to reduce losses, support pastoral communities, and lower the risk of conflict sparked by pastoralists migrating into agricultural areas in search of forage or water.

Coverage has been sold since July 2012 in southern Ethiopia’s Borena zone by Oromia Insurance Company (OIC), with technical assistance from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), U.S.-based Cornell University, and Mercy Corps, an international development organisation. Just over 500 pastoralists took up coverage initially.

The scheme was based on an earlier insurance effort rolled out in 2010 in neighbouring Marsabit region in northern Kenya, said Andrew Mude, principal economist at ILRI in Nairobi.

There, payouts were based on livestock deaths. But “the (experience) we had with the Kenyan programme was that some animals are more hardy than others, and so (with) differential mortality rates … (it) was a bit complex,” Mude said.

The insurance offered by OIC in Ethiopia instead offers coverage based on the actual scarcity of the herders’ forage, rather than the mortality rate of their livestock.

HOW IT WORKS

The insurance uses NASA satellite data to look at forage availability in the Borena zone. Experts from ILRI and Cornell University compare current images with historical data from the past 30 years.

“We provide the technical expertise to understand how to use the information from satellites on the state of forage on the ground,” Mude said.

The timing and amount of insurance payouts are then calculated based on the severity of the lack of forage.

OIC’s insurance will pay out up to 6,000 Ethiopian birr ($300) for a cow, 10,000 birr ($500) for a camel, and 800 birr ($40) for a sheep or goat annually. Pastoralists pay premiums averaging about 7.5 percent of the value of the maximum payout.

If forage levels become scarce compared to the index based on the historical satellite data, the herder receives compensation, even if no livestock have been lost.

In response to poor forage conditions, OIC made its first payout to all the insured holders, totalling 570,000 birr ($28,300), at the beginning of November this year at a ceremony in Yabelo, a town 565 km (353 miles) south of the capital, Addis Ababa.

Mude said that although livestock is the key productive asset and source of income for pastoralists, the novelty of insurance in this remote region initially made it difficult to sell.

ILRI spent two years researching the needs of the Borena zone herders before formally launching the insurance.

A further challenge is how to assess the damage suffered by policyholders when dealing with a mobile population.

Mude explained that an important feature of the insurance is that pastoralists remain covered even if they migrate out of the woredas (districts) where they are insured, since migration itself implies that there is a severe lack of forage. Compensation is therefore calculated based on the area where they were initially insured.

Wondimu Beteyo, a pastoralist who received a payout for his cattle and goats, says that until recently he had to trek several days for pasture and water. Now, he says, the money he has received will allow him to replenish the cattle he lost during the recent drought.

Dono Kotelo, from Teltale woreda, insured his two goats and two cattle for a total of 1,048 birr ($50) after learning about the insurance scheme. Although none of his animals died, because he migrated to find pasture, he received a payout of 192 birr ($10) for costs associated with the dry season and said he plans to buy insurance again for the coming year.

LOWERING CONFLICT RISK?

Getaneh Eerena, a livestock insurance officer at the micro-insurance department of OIC, said that in the long run the programme is not just about financial payments but about avoiding conflicts.

“The area tends to have high conflict incidence, both within (the) pastoralist community and against agricultural communities,” Eerena said.

Kotelo, the herder, said his Borena community used to cross into the land of agricultural communities when their own pastures were exhausted, often leading to deadly clashes.

Mude and Eerena said their organisations planned to extend the insurance scheme eventually across the country.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/12/05/ethiopia-insurance-idINL6N0TP1GW20141205

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Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Addis Ababa, Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Potash, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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Sub-Saharan Africa Manufacturing: Where To Build A Factory?

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Originally posted on EMerging Equity:

By Kurt Davis Jr.

Amidst a continent experiencing unprecedented levels of economic growth, a growing middle class, more stable political conditions, and favorable tariff terms from mature markets, there has been no better time to build manufacturing sites on the African continent. But this continent is vast – geographically, culturally, and politically. Mr. Davis’s piece identifies three of the most promising markets in Sub-Saharan Africa for firms and individuals to explore manufacturing-related development and investment opportunities.

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Sub-Saharan Africa is ‘on the rise’. There are growing GDPs and an emerging middle class. Sub-Saharan Africans are buying more and exciting investors in the consumer good space from all corners of the globe.

Manufacturing accordingly is a ‘buzz’ word as investors imagine local producing machines that could satisfy a growing market at home and an always consuming market abroad. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which ensures that several products produced in over 45 African countries…

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Filed under: Economy, Infrastructure Developments Tagged: Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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12 January 2015 News Round-Up

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ICL Announces Potash Program for Ethiopia

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ICL Launches "Potash for Growth" Program in Ethiopia

ICL, a global manufacturer of products based on minerals in the agriculture, processed food and engineered materials markets, announced that it launched a Potash for Growth program in Ethiopia. The program is designed to unlock the potential of agriculture in Ethiopia by promoting balanced fertilization among its small and private farmers in order to increase their agricultural productivity and economic benefits from farming.

The Potash for Growth program launched by ICL, in collaboration with its Ethiopian partners, includes a range of activities to increase awareness by Ethiopian farmers of the benefits of potassium fertilizers.

The program’s activities include:

Potash demonstration plots and outreach to farmers:

During 2014, over 600 potash demonstration plots were developed on farms in the states of Tigray, Amhara, Oromiya and Southern regions to demonstrate that potassium fertilizers increase yields of major Ethiopian crops, such as teff, wheat, barley and sorghum. Several hundred additional plots will be established on farmers’ fields and farmer training centers during 2015. Field days for farmers will also be organized at these demonstration plots.

Soil fertility mapping:

Potash for Growth also supports a nation-wide soil fertility mapping program that is being conducted by the Ethiopian Agriculture Transformation Agency in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and its regional partners. The mapping will enable Potash for Growth to recommend the most appropriate fertilizer applications at the district and PA (Peasant Association or Kebele) levels.

Research and validation:

In collaboration with Ethiopia’s national universities, ICL’s Potash for Growth program supports research by graduate students in the areas of potassium in soil and plants in Ethiopia in order to increase knowledge of balanced fertilization on various crops and to assist in developing specialists in plant nutrition.

Commenting on the Potash for Growth program, Stefan Borgas, President & CEO of ICL, said, “We are honored to play a role in Ethiopia’s rapidly growing agricultural sector by contributing our broad expertise in helping farmers to optimize their agricultural output, as well as our financial support, to enable Ethiopian government agencies to boost the country’s agricultural productivity. We believe that the Potash for Growth program will yield substantial benefits for the Ethiopian farming community, and, in the long-run, for food security in Ethiopia. By partnering with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture and the ATA, we hope to demonstrate the vital role of balanced fertilization in creating sustainable food production in Ethiopia.”

http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2015/01/12/icl-announces-potash-program-for-ethiopia/

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Ethiopia’s Fertilizer to Arrive in Batches Every Month

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And, in what should be no longer be a surprise to anyone, Yara is the big winner again.

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The government is expecting to receive three consignments of fertilizers, each carrying 50,000 quintal this January, which is part of the 900,000ql the government purchased with 431.9 million dollars from five companies.

The five supplier companies are Yara Switzerland Ltd, Agri Commodities Group, Witraco, Helm AG and India Agro. The fertilizer started entering the country by the beginning of November 2014 and seven consignments close to 350,000 quintal have reached the port of Djibouti and have started entering the country, according to Shiberu Demisse, director of agricultural input marketing at the Agricultural Input Supply Enterprise (AISE).

The Enterprise announced a tender in August 2014 for the purchase of 521,000tn of NPS and 373,000tn of Urea. For the tender, a total of 11 companies have responded but only one of them, Yara, made an offer for each of the two kinds of fertilizers, while the remaining made an offer only for one type of fertilizer. This is the second year in a row that the Enterprise has bought NPS, a replacement for DAP, which it dropped two years ago. NPS has become favored over DAP because it has everything DAP has and Sulfur, according to Amarech Bekele, director of communication at the Enterprise.

Yara will supply 571,000ql of fertilizers, of which 371,500ql is NPS with a total cost of 286.4 million dollars, Agri Commodities won for the supply of 100,000ql of Urea with 30 million dollars, Witraco will supply 150,000ql of NPS with 78.5 million dollars, Helm Ag is to supply 50,000ql Urea with 19.1 million dollars and India Agro will deliver 22,539ql of Urea with 9.8 million dollars.

Yara, a Swiss based international grain and fertilizer trader with a history of financial awards to Ethiopian officials through Yara International, has been prominent in Ethiopia’s fertilizer market for many years and is now going to supply over half of the current round of government fertilizer purchase.

The tender was floated in 19 lots, eight for Urea and the remaining 11 lots for NPS. Yara won 11 lots while the remaining eight went to the other four companies. The expected delivery time for all the fertilizers is May 2015. The auction was divided into 19 different lots to avoid overlaps in the delivery to the Enterprises and at the Djibouti port, said Shiberu.

Many products are imported through the port of Djibouti, so to avoid the overlap we scheduled to transport only three consignments every month, he added.

While the price of fertilizers per ton was 321 dollars in October 2014, the time when the government purchased the fertilizers, by the next month, it had declined to 311 dollars per ton. But it increased to 312 in December 2014, according to YCharts, a provider of financial information based in Chicago and New York (US).

The Agricultural Inputs Supply Enterprise (AISE) is a public enterprise established in 1985 and accountable to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). The Enterprise has 31 million Br in assets, including 22 warehouses, seven distribution and sales outlets and 36 vehicles. It managed to achieve a net profit of 35.4 million Br during the 2011/12 fiscal year and 35.6 million Br during the following year.

The AISE buys and distributes agricultural inputs, including fertilizers, farming chemicals, different kinds of seeds, plants and animal medicines and vaccines, and laboratory equipment. The Enterprise imported 552,000tns of fertilizer in 2010/11 and 560,000tn the following year. Its imports in 2012/13 were down to 477,000tns.

The government is constructing four fertilizer factories in the Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Southern regional states, with annual capacities of 25,000tns of fertilizer.

Currently, the Country cultivated 14.1 million hectares of land with cereal and pulses and the use of fertilizer per hectare reached 63Kg, according to a data from the MoA.

The government is constructing four fertilizer factories with annual capacities of 25,000tns


http://addisfortune.net/articles/ethiopias-fertilizer-to-arrive-in-batches-every-month/

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Export said essential to develop foreign currency, create jobs

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The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) honored exporters and money transfer agents who promoted the bank’s portfolio in terms of earning huge foreign exchange here Thursday at Sheraton Addis.

The award is aimed at recognizing them and strengthening the export sector. The Bank has been giving its services for the last 70 years uninterruptedly regardless of changes of government.

The exporters are those engaged in money transfer, coffee, leather, textile and mineral sectors. MIDROC Ethiopia, Western Union and Dehabshiil Money Transfer agents earned over 150 million USD while Belayneh Kindie, an exporter earned around 140 million USD receiving the highest awards and Certificates of Appreciation.

CBE President Bekalu Zeleke said that the Bank was successful in expanding export trade, introducing local products for foreign market, making local products get recognition, and in building its capacity to be competitive in the international markets thanks to its investors’ continuous hard work.

Bekalu also said that as export trade is essential to develop foreign currency and to create employment, CBE has been working on how to support and encourage customers to work on export trade.

“We believe that our Bank has a problem on the export trade sector, even if our government has taken measures to boost export trade and recognize our investors efforts in their role to improve the growth of the national economy,” Bekalu said. “But it is undeniable that CBE is showing faster growth in the last few years. It has 9.4 million customers in its 909 branches in the country. The Bank’s total asset has reached over 250 billion Birr.”

Bereket Simon, Adviser to the Prime Minister with the Rank of Minister and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the CBE, said that the government and its people have long been working hard to eradicate poverty and to make the country join the level of middle income countries through the implementation of various strategies.

The Minister said: “The country’s continuous registration of fast economic growth has been going on for the last seven years. To increase the pace of such growth to even higher levels the government’s role in leading the people is significant.”

According to Bereket, due to the fall in the price of coffee in the global market in 2012/13 the country’s income was forced to decline. However, despite this the export trade of the 2013/14 year has shown a marked improvement. Compared with the previous year, coffee has shown an increase of 41.5 per cent, oil seeds 17.1 per cent, meat and meat products 12.6 per cent while fruits and vegetables have shown an increment of 8.7 per cent.

Bereket said that government creates conducive environment for the export of manufactured products for local investors. Development partners and exporters should focus on working jointly by sustaining export trade to help the country sell its products and get more benefits from the sector.

Country Representative to Dahabshiil Money Transfer Limited, AL. Jama Guush said on his part that Dahabshiil is the only African company working in Ethiopia, employing 5,000 people across 126 countries. It works with 17 banks in Ethiopia. Dahabshiil has more than 40 years experience in the provision of valuable lifeline in the Horn of Africa and it remains committed to its original values of trust, reliability, integrity and customer-focus.

Dahabshiil plans to strengthen its position in the market and to further expand its network of agents throughout the world by building strong partnerships and adding new products and services to meet the growing expectations of its valued customers worldwide.

Belayneh Kindie Importer – Exporter, the leading exporters of oilseeds and other cereals to different countries in the world especially to China started six years ago and has brought 60 million USD through CBE and 15 million USD through other banks. This success is a result of the hard and continuous efforts of its employees and managers in addition to the policy and strategy that are undertaken by the government.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/explore/16993-export-said-essential-to-develop-foreign-currency-create-jobs-

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FOREX Africa: Is 2015 Ethiopian Birr’s Time To Shine?

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By Jeffrey Cavanaugh

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As a frontier market, the countries of Africa represent both tremendous opportunities and tremendous risks. On the risk side of the ledger are all the usual complications of international trade and investment compounded by the problems inherent in a developing, emergent continental market consisting of 54 countries and 1.1 billion people – it’s a lot to keep track of.

Luckily, the ups and downs of the African currency markets aren’t one of them if you know where to look. To help with that, AFK Insider has compiled all the news you need to know now in order to slim down your currency risk in the week ahead. Let’s see what’s happening out there.

From Band Aid to Investor Darling

Early last month Ethiopia marked a remarkable milestone in its history. Thirty years ago the country was in the grip of a deadly, mostly man-made famine caused by civil war and government mismanagement.

As the Marxist regime fought for control of the countryside in a war that it was ultimately going to lose, media reports from the stricken country showed hordes of refuges and children with stricken bellies scratching out a bare existence in overwhelmed aid camps.  Such was the country’s plight that it became the subject of the original Band Aid song Do They Know It’s Christmas?

How things have changed.  On December 4th Ethiopia’s inaugural Eurobond issue raised $1.0 billion from investors, paying in the process the relatively low yield of 6.625.

By way of comparison, Ethiopia is paying what copper-rich Zambia is paying for its notes and less than a full percentage point higher than what neighboring Kenya, which has a much larger economy, is paying for the $2.0 billion in debt it issued earlier in 2014.

Indeed, as the venerable Financial Times pointed out at the time of the sale, the remarkably low rate was similar to what developed countries were paying as recently as 2000.

This success for Ethiopia is sourced from two places.  First, Ethiopia has been the fastest growing economy in Africa for the past ten years, averaging according to the IMF’s numbers an average rate of growth of 10.9 percent over the past decade.

This is quite a record and means Ethiopia has now been growing faster than China, which last saw growth in excess of 10 percent way back in 2010, for several years now.

Of course, much of this is due to Ethiopia starting from such a low starting point – it is one of the poorest countries in Africa and poorer countries tend to grow very quickly when growth begins – but it is also due to conditions generally getting better within Ethiopia itself.

Still, Ethiopia’s success isn’t entirely self-made.

As with Africa’s other commodity producers, it has benefited greatly from demand growth elsewhere—especially the Middle East and China, which have increasingly snapped up Ethiopian coffee, vegetables, cattle and sheep as they have grown richer.

Luckily, this increase in demand for Ethiopia’s products has coincided with better, more stable government so its economy, compared to the war torn days of the 1980s, is better able to react to the market and take advantage therein.

What’s even more fortunate, this growth in trade hasn’t been based on oil, either, but on agriculture, which employs a lot more people, spreads wealth around more evenly, and, most important, has a fairly steady demand and price given the growing number of mouths to feed worldwide.

An oil windfall in reverse

This lack of oil in the Ethiopian growth equation is especially important now that the price of that commodity has collapsed.  That’s because it will immediately help Ethiopia’s economic growth rather directly.

According to the latest data available, Ethiopia spends about $2.2 billion importing refined petroleum for its fuel needs, or about 19.25 percent of its total import bill.  With oil about 40 percent less costly and assuming it imports the same amount as it has in previous years, that number should shrink to about $1.32 billion if prices stay this low going forward:  a hefty savings considering the country just borrowed $122 million more than that on the bond market.

When looking at the Ethiopian economy as a whole, then, oil’s price collapse effectively just paid for nearly all of what the country borrowed—and that windfall will be spent on investment and additional consumption in the coming year, boosting growth further.

What’s more, what applies to Ethiopia applies to most of its trading partners, too, meaning they will also have all that additional spending power to buy what Ethiopia is selling.  That means more cut flowers going to Europe, more coffee to China, and so on.

It’ll even be cheaper to ship since the cost of transportation will, again, decrease because of the massive decline in oil.

So, looking ahead to 2015, barring any disasters—and Ethiopia was quick to remind investors that it was still subject to terrible things happening to it—the coming year should be a good one.

Not only will it have $1.0 billion in additional capital to spend on roads, bridges and all the other vitally important infrastructure it needs, but will also have nearly that much again in additional consumption power to spend on whatever else it needs, too.  That’s a huge gain, meaning that if these predictions are borne out the birr could do well indeed.

Jeffrey Cavanaugh holds a Ph.D. in political science with a specialization in international relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Formerly an assistant professor of political science and public administration at Mississippi State University, he writes on global affairs and international economics for AFK Insider and Mint Press News.

http://afkinsider.com/84146/forex-africa-2015-ethiopian-birrs-time-shine/

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Most developing countries will benefit from oil price slump, says World Bank Group

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The decline in oil prices reflects a confluence of factors, including several years of upward surprises in oil supply and downward surprises in demand, receding geopolitical risks in some areas of the world, a significant change in policy objectives of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and appreciation of the US dollar. Although the relative strength of the forces driving the recent plunge in prices remains uncertain, supply-related factors appear to have played a dominant role.

Soft oil prices are expected to persist in 2015 and will be accompanied by significant real income shifts from oil-exporting to oil-importing countries. For many oil-importing countries, lower prices contribute to growth and reduce inflationary, external, and fiscal pressures.

However, weak oil prices present significant challenges for major oil-exporting countries, which will be adversely impacted by weakening growth prospects, and fiscal and external positions. If lower oil prices persist, they could also undermine investment in new exploration or development. This would especially put at risk investment in some low-income countries, or in unconventional sources such as shale oil, tar sands, and deep sea oil fields.

“For policymakers in oil-importing developing countries, the fall in oil prices provides a window of opportunity to undertake fiscal policy and structural reforms as well as fund social programmes. In oil-exporting countries, the sharp decline in oil prices is a reminder of significant vulnerabilities inherent in highly concentrated economic activity and the necessity to reinvigorate efforts to diversify over the medium and long term,” said Ayhan Kose, director of development prospects at the World Bank.

The analysis on oil prices in Global Economic Prospects is complemented by two special features on how trends in global trade and remittance flows are impacting developing countries.

Global trade weak on cyclical and long-term factors

Global trade expanded by less than 3.5% in 2012 and 2013, well below the pre-crisis average annual rate of 7%, holding back developing country growth in recent years.

Weak demand, mainly in investment but also in consumer demand, is one of the main causes of the deceleration in trade growth. With high-income countries accounting for some 65% of global imports, the lingering weakness of their economies five years after the crisis suggests that weak demand continues to adversely impact the recovery in global trade. However, long-term trends have also slowed trade growth, including the changing relationship between trade and income. Specifically, world trade has become less responsive to changes in global income because of slower expansions of global supply chains and a shift in demand from trade-intensive investment to less trade-intensive private and public consumption.

The analysis finds that these long-term factors affecting trade will also shape the behaviour of trade flows in the years ahead — in particular, that the expected recovery in global growth is not likely to be accompanied by the rapid growth in trade flows observed in the pre-crisis years.

Remittances have potential to smooth consumption

A second special feature reports that remittance flows to many low- and middle-income countries are not only significant relative to GDP but also comparable in value to foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign aid. Since 2000, remittances to developing countries have averaged about 60% of the volume of total foreign direct investment flows. For many developing countries, remittances are the single largest source of foreign exchange.

The study finds that, in addition to their considerable volume, remittances are more stable than other types of capital flows, even during episodes of financial stress. For example, during past sudden stops, when capital flows fell on average by 14.8%, remittances increased by 6.6%. The stable nature of remittance flows, the analysis concludes, means that they can help smooth consumption in developing countries, which often experience macroeconomic volatility.

http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/most-developing-countries-will-benefit-from-oil-price-slump-says-world-bank-group/45984/

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GE to build wind farm

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A consortium that includes General Electric, a US based company, is going to undertake the wind farm project at Aysha, Somali regional state.

The consortium that delivered its study for the development of 310mw of electric power from wind is expected to bring a detailed proposal.
According to sources, Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has approved the consortium’s feasibility study to generate electricity in the area.
“EEP is now waiting for the technical and financial proposal of the consortium for final negotiation,” sources said.
Lafto Turbine Technologies plc, a German based company, plans to develop 120mw of electric power from wind on a similar location at Aysah.
The new design undertaken by GE shows that the area has the potential of generating 310mw of electric power at the location expected to be developed by Lafto, according to experts.
According to studies, Aysah is a major wind power source in the country, although it has yet to be developed.
The area has a potential of generating 10,000mw electric power from wind. The country also has a capacity to generate over one million megawatts of electricity from wind power.
GE is currently working with EEP on capacity building trainings for local staff, according to sources.
The private sector interest is now growing to get involved in the power sector. This will expand the opportunity to select the perfect and genuine private sector company.
The interest of the government has also grown to include the private sector as they seek to export power regionally.
In the coming quarter of a century the power sector (generation, substation and transmission) investment demands USD 177 billion or USD four billion every year. The distribution investment is not included in this figure.
The private sector is expected to foot the bill for most of these endeavors.
In the next 25 years, 27,000mw power generators, 19,000km transmission lines, and more than 300 new substations are slated for construction.
In the coming five year plan (GTP II) the power sector target would be 15,000mw and the investment demand will be USD four billion per year.
In the GTP II several investments will be expected. Experts said the EEP has targeted to shrink the hard currency demand from the current amount. “In the coming GTP the local currency investment would be at least 40 percent of the total investment in the power sector,” Mekuria Lemma, head of Strategy  and Investment Division at the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) explained during his presentation on the Powering Africa event held in November last year.

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4856:ge-to-build-wind-farm&catid=54:news&Itemid=27

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Sudan, Ethiopia agree to remove obstacles facing trade exchange

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 العرب اليوم - Sudan, Ethiopia agree to remove obstacles facing trade exchange

Wagdy Mirghani

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Khartoum - Sudan and Ethiopia on Saturday agreed to remove all obstacles hindering trade between the two countries.

Chairman of the Sudanese Exporters Chamber Wagdy Mirghani said a meeting was held with an Ethiopian high-level economic delegation to discuss all problems hindering trade exchange.
The two parts agreed to do their best to enable the flow of goods between Sudan and Ethiopia, he added.
Ethiopian goods face no problems in entering Sudan, while Sudanese goods face several problems to enter Ethiopia, causing an imbalance in the balance of trade, he added.

http://www.arabtoday.net/gcjug-iek/sudan-ethiopia-agree-to-remove-obstacles-facing-trade-exchange.html

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Japan to support Ethiopia’s industry through Kaizen

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Phase three Kaizen project is expected to be launched with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by the beginning of 2015.

The project expected be last until 2020, will contribute to strengthening industrial competitiveness to the country, according to Jim Kimiaki, chief representative of JICA Ethiopia Office during a press conference held on January 8, 2015 at its office off of Ethio-China Avenue.

JICA provides bilateral aid in the form of Technical Cooperation, according to the chief representative.

It has been providing monetary and technical support to Ethiopia since the Hailesilasie regime. Currently, JICA is engaged in agricultural and rural, private sector & industrial and infrastructure development.

JICA has been providing technical assistance on Kaizen promotion in Ethiopia since October 2009. Ministry of Industry was the counterpart in Phase one and Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (EKI) was established for Phase two.

During the last fiscal year, the agency trained 20,957 trainees rising from 11,996 are trainees in 2012/13 fiscal year.

http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php/editors-pick/16999-japan-to-support-ethiopias-industry-through-kaizen

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Etur Textile to start export to Europe, US

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The Turkish textile manufacturer, Etur Textile has announced on Monday that it would start exporting its products to markets in Europe and America having conducted successful trial exports to Algeria and Morocco. 

According to Adil Basoglu, board member and executive director of Etur, the factory has fully embarked on production and it will soon start export into the larger overseas markets.

Etur Textile, one of the largest textile factories operating in Ethiopia, is located in Wonji road,  six km. from Adama town in the south east of the capital Addis Ababa.

According to the executive director, the textile factory aims at becoming the biggest exporter in the country.

“We have moved here to become more productive and help out the countries vision in the sector,” Basoglu said.

Hiring more than 800 employees, the factory has stepped up its production to start export in full capacity. However, employees complain of meager wages, a portion of which is deducted for the recruiting agency but the company denies.

“We have no clear response for that since we know we are paying them relatively higher salary,” Basoglu said.

Basoglu said  high turnover of employees is forcing the company to bring in untrained labor which is only aggravating work-related accidents inside the main production units. “We have no clear response for that since we know we are paying them relatively higher salary,” Basoglu says. In addition to this Basoglu also told journalists visiting the company that dust blowing up from the gravel road by adjacent to the factory is set up has also been affecting business in the production unit. “We have told the city administration so many times but no quick response yet,” Basoglu said.

Currently there are 110 textile companies in Ethiopia of which Turkish, Chinese and Indians are major contributors for the textile and garment export which has reportedly grown by 28 percent year on year during the previous fiscal year (2012-2013). Under the five years Growth and Transformation Plan, currently on its final year, Ethiopia aims to earn USD one billion from the textile industry But the country is still far from achieving the target mainly plagued by shortage of raw material such as cotton.

In the last five months of 2014, Ethiopia imported more than 3,000 tons of cotton to meet the demand of domestic textile industry as a short-term measure, Textiles Industry Development Institute (TIDI) said this week.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/3004-etur-textile-to-start-export-to-europe-us

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Maaza partners with Petram to open Ethiopian bottling plant

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Maaza International, the UAE company behind a popular mango beverage brand, has partnered with Petram, one of Ethiopia’s largest and most successful companies, to open a bottling plant with an installed capacity of 3.5 million cases a year.

“It’s a bottling and distribution arrangement we have with Petram and similar to arrangements we have for Saudi Arabia or Kuwait,” said commercial director Samer Salah, noting that it was Maaza first bottling partnership in Africa since a previous arrangement in Sudan 11 years ago.

“Ideally, we would like to go further into Africa, markets like Tanzania or Kenya. These are markets ripe for higher growth rates.”

“They had been importing our products earlier and there was merit in upgrading the relationship to a franchise. Apart from within Ethiopia itself, the bottler can distribute to some outside territories as well.

“This is the second Maaza bottling arrangement we have in Africa after we introduced it in Sudan 11 years ago. Ideally, we would like to go further into Africa, markets like Tanzania or Kenya. These are markets ripe for higher growth rates.”

The deal shortly follows UAE pharmaceutical giant Julphar’s plans to build a $49.5m insulin factory in Ethiopia through its local subsidiary Julphar Ethiopia Pharmaceutical Industry.

In another recent Gulf-Ethiopia deal, Bahrain’s Ibdar Bank concluding a $100m deal with Ethiopian Airlines for the bank’s acquisition of four aircraft back for lease back to the airline.

Ethiopia also inaugurated its long-anticipated embassy in the Al Bateen area of Abu Dhabi, in a diplomatic reflection of the ever growing economic connection between the two countries.

 

http://www.gulfafricareview.com/en/news/386-maaza-partners-with-petram-to-open-ethiopian-bottling-plant

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China to further increase presence in manufacturing, infrastructure

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Ethiopia is asking for China’s support in three areas of the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II), Capital learnt.

China who is a major partner of Ethiopia has also played a vital role in helping the government to realize its development strategies in the first GTP which was endorsed in 2010.
Most of the mega infrastructure projects are eitherbeing financed or constructed by China and companies from the second largest economy in the world.
Diplomatic sources at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia recently told Capital that in the coming GTP II the Ethiopian government requested the support of China on establishing and enhancing the transportation sector in regional states.
China has been one of the major allies in the construction of road infrastructure in the country and they have provided money and human resources in large numbers.
According to diplomatic sources, the Ethiopian government officially expressed its desire to work with China in manufacturing during the GTP II, which will be endorsed this July.
In the current GTP that will end this budget year China’s investment in manufacturing dramatically increased.
For instance the major footwear manufacturer Huajian, one of the top three shoe companies in the world, established its factory during the current GTP.
Even though in the beginning of the GTP the government disclosed that manufacturing would be the leading economic sector by the end of the five year plan, the number of local and foreign investments and developments in the sector are below expectations.
Poverty reduction, which has been a priority for the Ethiopian government and the ruling party since it became the  leader of the country about two decades ago, is the third major area that China has been asked to assist in.
On several dimensions the government has been attempting to eradicate poverty from the country. According to the information from Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the country has registered significant achievement on poverty eradication in the past year.
The per capita GDP (USD nominal) has increased to USD 632 in the 2013/14 fiscal year, which was USD 558 a year ago. By the end of the GTP the government planned to raise the per capita income to USD 700.

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4859:china-to-further-increase-presence-in-manufacturing-infrastructure-&catid=54:news&Itemid=27

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Wonji-Shoa Sugar Factory boosts production to ease shortage

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Wonji-Shoa Sugar Factory has started producing with full capacity making 7221 quintals of sugar per day to curb shortage of the sweetener that recently gripped the nation. 

The factory has been undertaking an expansion with an outlay of three billion birr since 2011 in Wonji area; 110 km south east of the capital, in the Oromia Regional State. The expansion work was carried out by Uttam Group of India after the Indian government extended a USD 640 million loan for three sugar factory projects including two expansion projects at Fincha and Wonji and a new factory in Tendaho, in the Afar Regional State.

The Wonji/Shoa crushes 6250 tons of sugarcane per day to produce the much needed sugar which was in a critical supply a few months back. The Ethiopian Sugar Corporation (ESC) attributed the shortage to suspension of sugar production during the rainy season in the three existing sugar factories – Wonji/Shoa, Metehara and Fincha – as well as delay in Tendaho Sugar project which was expected to enter production in May last year.

While briefing journalists who were on a field visit to the project site, Wonji Shoa Factory officials said part of the problem in sugar supply lies with the distribution channel in place. They blamed the state owned Merchandize Wholesale and Import Trade Enterprise (MEWIT), which is responsible for the distribution of sugar to institutions and regional states outside Addis Ababa.

“We have plenty amount of sugar in store but the transportation is below the production level,” Dadi Bekele, property unit head of the factory, told The Reporter.

According to him 85,574 quintals of sugar is already stored in the warehouse waiting to be picked up for distribution.

A similar scenario was witnessed at Metehara Sugar Factory. Zenebe Yimam, general manager of the factory, said there is a stockpile of 72,000 quintals of sugar waiting for distribution.

However, MEWIT insists it has been distributing sugar according to the time table it has set out.

“Out of the 395,000 quintals we are expected to distribute in four months we have distributed more than 70 percent so far. We still have a month to go at which time we will transport the rest,” Gemeda Alemi, general manager of MEWIT, told The Reporter.

Despite the government ambition to realize competitive sugar industry, sugar is still one of the commodities that majority of the people hardly find in the market. According to factory managers, the three fully functional sugar factories found in Wonji, Metahara and Finhca are inadequate to meet the domestic demand. But the domestic market can expect a boost when Tendaho, whose construction has been completed, enters production.

Established in 1951 in the reign of Emperor Haileselassie after a lease agreement was signed with H.V.A, Dutch company, Wonji had been the only sugar factory that supplied sugar for the entire nation until Metahara Sugar was founded a decade later in the central Rift Valley South-East Shoa.

 http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/3008-wonji-shoa-sugar-factory-boosts-production-to-ease-shortage

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Julphar plans $49.5m insulin factory in Ethiopia

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Ras Al Khaimah-based Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries has plans to establish a $49.5m insulin factory in Ethiopia through local subsidiary Julphar Ethiopia Pharmaceutical Industry.

“We are hoping that the land for construction will be handed over to us in the next two weeks,” said Mukemil Abdella, Julphar’s country director for Ethiopia, adding that the company intends to make Ethiopia the insulin hub of Africa.

Trade between the Ethiopia and the UAE has soared over the last decade, rising from $123m in 2002 to $934.5m in 2011.

Julphar first entered the Ethiopian market in February 2013, when it inaugurated its existing $9.6m factory under Julphar Ethiopia Pharmaceutical Industry — an Ethiopian arm that is 55% owned by Julphar and 45% owned by local firm Med-tech Ethiopia.

The existing Julphar Ethiopia factory has an annual production capacity for 25 million bottles of suspensions and syrups, 500 million tablets and 170 million capsules.

According to reports, the new insulin factory is going to be constructed on an 11,051m2 plot of land and is expected to begin production within two years.

The deal comes at a time of a soaring trade between the Ethiopia and the UAE — growing from $123m in 2002 to $934.5m in 2011, while in Dubai alone, the emirate’s chamber of commerce has registering 318 Ethiopian companies.

The investment is in all types of project, but particularly in manufacturing (38%), real estate (27%) and agriculture (23%), with 12% split across fields such as education and construction.

In 2013, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) also signed a $10m loan for a road-building project in Ethiopia, where huge projects are also currently underway to expand the countries 70,000km road network, including 400km of road plans for the Benishangul region.

http://www.gulfafricareview.com/en/news/385-julphar-plans-495m-insulin-factory-in-Ethiopia

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 Ministry suspends issuing exploration licenses in mineral rich areas

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The Ministry of Mines announced that it has stopped issuing mineral exploration licenses in the South Western part of the country, a region known for different mineral deposits.

In a public notice issued last week, the Ministry of Mines, Mineral Licensing and Administration Directorate, announced that it has suspended issuing mineral exploration licenses in South West part of the country as this area is reserved for a joint geological study being undertaken by the Ethiopian and Chinese geological survey institutes. The directorate revealed that it will not accept applications from companies requesting exploration areas in this part of the country for unspecific period of time.

Local and foreign mining companies expressed their discontent over the large concession held by the Chinese and Ethiopian geological survey institutes for the joint geological study.

Based on a bilateral agreement signed by the governments of China and Ethiopia the Ethiopian and China geological survey institutes are undertaking a joint geological study in the South Western part of Ethiopia since 2012. The South Western part of Ethiopia is known for different mineral resources including gold. The concession includes tens of thousands of sq. km. of land in South Western parts of Ethiopia. The geological surveys are trying to identify the mineral resources of the concession area. Chinese and Ethiopian geologists are jointly working to learn about the types of the existing minerals. The cost of the exploration project is covered by the Chinese government. However, Ethiopian and foreign mining companies are not happy about this project. They are wary of the Chinese move saying that this gives comparative advantage for Chinese mining firms.

The Ministry of Mines, Public Relations and Communication Directorate director, Bacha Fuji, told The Reporter that the Ethiopian and Chinese geological survey institutes are assessing the mineral potential of the area for the past two years. “They are collecting useful geological data. They are adding value to the concession. Hence, the Mineral Licensing and Administration Directorate will not process exploration license applications until the joint study is finalized,” Bacha said. However, he said the Ministry will avail the crucial geological data for all local and foreign mining firms once the joint study is finalized.

“Apart from the concession area held by the joint study other concessions are open for interested local and foreign investors,” Bacha said.

The Ministry of Mines recently introduced a stringent mineral exploration licensing procedures. It has also evaluated the performance of companies engaged in mineral exploration activities and revoked 56 companies licenses who failed to execute exploration work according to their commitments.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/3006-ministry-suspends-issuing-exploration-licenses-in-mineral-rich-areas

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The Reporter Newspaper – NEWS IN BRIEF

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Vitol Bahrain to supply diesel, benzene to Ethiopia

Vitol Bahrain, part of the Vitol Group a multinational energy trading company, will supply 30 percent of Ethiopia’s import of diesel and benzene starting from this month, the Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) announced.

The contract has given to the company that won the bid for the importation of the products for the coming year, Demelash Alemu, Adviser to the CEO of the Enterprise, said.

The fall in the price of oil globally benefited Ethiopia. The nation has managed to save more than 103 USD because of the price decline over the past six months, Demelash said.

The nation saved this amount of money in spite of the increase in the consumption of oil nationally by 8 percent compared to the previous year, the adviser added.

Ethiopia could still stand to gain from the continued tumble in the price of oil with the nation expecting to save another USD 600 million.

Ethiopia imports 70 percent of diesel, kerosene for airplanes and benzene from Kuwait, while light and heavy diesel oil for industries are imported from Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopia marks 365 days without reported cases of Polio

Since 5 January 2014 no new cases of wild polio virus have been reported from the Somali region of Ethiopia, where the last case of polio in the country was reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Pierre M’Pele-Kilebou (PhD), WHO Representative to Ethiopia, and Dr Omar Mohammed Farah, head of Somali Regional State Health Bureau, visited Wardher town in Doollo Zone, Somali region, on 5 January 2015 to congratulate the Zonal Administration and WHO/UNICEF Operations Base staff for their persistent efforts to ensure that every last child gets vaccinated against this paralyzing disease.

The high level delegation acknowledged the excellent collaboration with the Polio Partners Group in Ethiopia to kick polio out of the country and the Horn of Africa. Until August 2013, when the first case of wild polio virus was confirmed from the Somali region, Ethiopia had been polio-free since 2008. Ethiopia’s fast and aggressive response together with immunization partners helped to halt the spread of the disease, but intensified efforts must continue as the virus continues to circulate in neighboring Somalia.

Al-Shabaab lost 80% of the areas under their control – AU

The Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group Al-Shabaab has lost ground in 80 percent of the areas it used to control in Somalia, African Union (AU) envoy said. 

AU Special Representative to Somalia and head of AMISOM, Ambassador Maman Sidikou said this at a press conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Shedding light on the security situation of Somalia and the achievements of African Union peacekeeping troops, the ambassador said Al-Shabaab lost control of over 80 percent of the areas under their control through joint military operations by AU troops and government forces.

The ambassador stated that Al-Shabaab shifted their strength and capability to the rich agricultural areas of Lower Juba region controlled by the Interim Juba Administration.

Sidikou has not specified the exact date when the military operations against Al-Shabaab will be launched, but said there are ongoing negotiations and consultations on the issue.

The ambassador has been in Addis Ababa the last few days to discuss issues with the regional leaders related to the operations against Al-Shabaab that are expected to begin in few weeks time.

Turkish president to visit Ethiopia in Africa tour this month

Turkish President Reep Tayyip Erdogan will go on his first overseas trip of 2015 to the African continent. World Bulletin reported citing information from the Presidency sources that Erdogans’ first round trip, which will be in January, will include Ethiopia, Tanzania and Somalia.

Turkish investors with over 3 billion USD capital are engaged in various sectors in Ethiopia, the country’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Osman R. Yavuzalp, disclosed.

This makes Turkish business persons the leading foreign investor in Ethiopia in terms of capital volume. According to the ambassador, the trade exchange between the two countries had jumped over 400 million USD.

Ethiopia imports machinery, metals, plastic products, drugs and factory products while exporting oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, cereals and textile.

The two countries would work together in climate change, fighting terrorism and other international issues, Ambassador Yavuzalp said.

Erdogan will go to four separate tours and will visit a total of 12 countries in Africa. As the prime minister, Erdogan visited Somalia in 2011 and he will go there as the president this time.

http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/3002-news-in-brief


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, East Africa, Economic growth, Ethiopia, Fertilizer, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1, Yara International Image may be NSFW.
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Ethiopian 2015 (and beyond) prospects appear very bright indeed!

With the appreciation of prices in the 3 main exports Ethiopia offers, it appears the sky’s the limit in 2015.

It seems all the stars have aligned quite nicely for Ethiopia in as 2015 unfolds. The price of Arabica has achieved multi year highs, gold seems on a trajectory which appears ready to see upsides reaching it’s apex of 2012, floriculture, and agricultural productivity seem ready to hit their stride. The textile industry is exploding concurrently, with hydro power for domestic and regional sale not far behind. Things couldn’t be aligning better for Ethiopia and many could nations only wish they were so well positioned going forward.

Add to this what appears to be an upswing in agricultural commodities after some doldrums after the last two years, an upswing in green energy capital allotments, an upsurge in interest in African infrastructure funding, and a huge over-subscription in Ethiopia’s first foray into the sovereign bond market, and it would seem few have so much going for them through 2015 and beyond.

But they’re not done yet. With the collapse of world oil prices Ethiopia’s largest foreign reserve weight has taken from it’s shoulder to help give even more lift to it’s wings. This is a nation that has already been among the world’s top ten growth leaders the last decade and with the new realities coupling with all the work and directives now in place, Ethiopia is one of the few truly bright economies going forward.

With the second phase of it’s industrialization about to kick in come 2016, watch for even more incredible achievements. The progress that’s been seen in the last five years has been well beyond anyone else as measured by the UN Millennium Development Goals already, and they’re just getting started. It would do any smart investor their measure to seriously research this market and pick their spot now as many forward corporations already have.

I invite anyone wishing to know more to utilize the search bar of this blog by any subject or keyword to find out more….

 


Filed under: Ag Related, Economy, Infrastructure Developments, News Round-up Tagged: Addis Ababa, Agriculture, Allana Potash, Business, East Africa, Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Sub-Saharan Africa, tag1 Image may be NSFW.
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