#Safaricom’s mobile money rollout in #Ethiopia marks moment for ‘last frontier’

“By the end of #September we will fully launch M-Pesa here. We have been building technology, created products, and will have M-Pesa integrated with more banks — the opportunity is massive,” Peter Ndegwa, chief executive of Safaricom said.

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Ndegwa added that Safaricom made a bet “on the future of the country” when it secured the telecoms licence in 2021 at the peak of a brutal two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia, which ended with a peace deal in November last year.

“We knew that the political conflict had to be resolved or settled before the economic transformation was accelerated,” Ndegwa added. Since starting operations last year, the Kenya-based company has attracted more than 5mn mobile phone customers in Ethiopia. Its green billboards are almost as ubiquitous in Addis Abeba as they have been in Nairobi for the past three decades.

https://www.ft.com/content/09229ea0-aa7b-4121-b5c5-9cff60cae11f

One in four people in #Somalia have now fled their homes

Somalia's displacement crisis has hit record levels, with a quarter of the population now displaced by drought and conflict, according to Islamic Relief. Over 4.3 million people are internally displaced within Somalia, the highest figure ever recorded in the country.

The city of #Baidoa, in the southwest bay region, is one of the main centers of the displacement crisis. Vast camps encircle the city and stretch for miles. Although there are officially 740,065 people in these camps, aid workers believe the numbers could be even higher as many are unverified and unrecorded.

The drought in Somalia has killed people, livestock, and crops, leading to increased food prices and widespread destitution. As many as 43,000 people are estimated to have died in the drought last year, with half of the deaths being children under five years old. Half of Somalia's population is currently facing food insecurity, and close to 1.8 million children are suffering from malnutrition.

https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/one-in-four-people-in-somalia-have-now-fled-their-homes/#:~:text=A%20quarter%20of%20all%20people,displacement%20crisis%20hits%20record%20levels.

#Ethiopia: Police detain seven bishops spearheading “Oromia Orthodox Synod” in #Bishoftu

The police in Bishoftu have detained seven Orthodox bishops who were part of the movement to establish the "Oromia Orthodox Synod".

They were arrested along with their aides and are currently held in police custody.

https://addisstandard.com/news-police-detain-seven-bishops-spearheading-oromia-orthodox-synod-in-bishoftu/

Farmers in #Amhara region face setback as fertilizer distribution disruptions compound amidst reignited conflict

Farmers in the Amhara region are facing setbacks as over 20,000 quintals of fertilizer have been stolen amidst the escalating conflict between the government and non-state militia, Fano.

Regional authorities have grounded 81 trucks loaded with over 32,000 quintals of fertilizer to prevent further theft.

The delayed application of fertilizer is already jeopardizing the expected yield.

https://addisstandard.com/news-farmers-in-amhara-region-face-setback-as-fertilizer-distribution-disruptions-compound-amidst-reignited-conflict/

#Ethiopia: Gov’t decision resuscitates feud over city ownership, incites six-month long unrest in Southern #Oromia

The #Guji_Zone in southern #Oromia has been facing unrest for the past six months, exacerbating an already volatile security situation in the area due to conflict between the Oromo Liberation Army and government forces.

Protests ensued after the Oromia regional government announced the formation of the East #Borana_Zone, incorporating 10 districts from surrounding zones. The restructuring was intended to boost development opportunities, address security concerns, and curb corruption, but residents and officials oppose the decision, citing lack of public consultation and a top-down approach.

The protests have severely strained the local economy and pushed residents to the brink.

https://addisstandard.com/analysis-govt-decision-resuscitates-feud-over-city-ownership-incites-six-month-long-unrest-in-southern-oromia/

#Ethiopia: Concerns mount over well-being of detained MP, Councilmen

Relatives and legal representatives of #ChristianTadele, a member of the House of People’s Representatives; #YohannesBuayalew, a member of the #Amhara Region Council; and #KassaTeshager, a member of the Addis Abeba City Council, have raised concerns about their whereabouts.

It has been two weeks since anyone has had any knowledge of their current location, sparking worries about their well-being and safety.

https://addisstandard.com/news-concerns-mount-over-well-being-of-detained-mp-councilmen/

The demise of the SNNPR explained:

The Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s region (SNNPR) has effectively come to an end giving birth to four independent regional states.

Watch

African Union suspends Gabon’s membership after military coup

The #AU has suspended #Gabon's participation in all activities following the military coup in the country.

The coup followed disputed elections in which President #AliBongo was declared the winner.

The general who overthrew the Bongo dynasty will be sworn in as transitional president on Monday, while a meeting of heads of state is planned to determine the response to the coup.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/31/african-union-meets-on-gabon-situation-after-military-coup

Exclusive: #Ethiopia, #Angola to join Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance

The announcement, to be made at the Africa Climate Summit in #Nairobi, shows confidence in green hydrogen’s potential, says Jonas Moberg, CEO of the Global Green Hydrogen Organization.

Ethiopia and Angola will be announced as new members of the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA) at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi from 4-6 September, Jonas Moberg, CEO of the Global Green Hydrogen Organization, tells The Africa Report.

https://www.theafricareport.com/320559/exclusive-ethiopia-angola-to-join-africa-green-hydrogen-alliance-at-climate-summit/

#Ethiopia: Displacement, horrific violence continue in western #Tigray as #Amhara forces maintain control

Mulugeta Debalkew, the IDP coordinator at the center, stated that the fresh IDPs shared their reasons for fleeing, including escaping from prison and atrocities, as well as forced migration due to hunger, despite the signing of a peace agreement in November 2022.

Mulugeta also revealed that many IDPs were imprisoned including in #Maiytsebri, #Dima, and #Tselemti, where they were subjected to horrific violence and forced to pay a ransom of up to 135,000 birr. According to him, these atrocities and detentions increased following rumors that the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) had disarmed the Fano rebel group operating in the areas they controlled.

https://addisstandard.com/news-displacement-horrific-violence-continue-in-western-tigray-as-amhara-forces-maintain-control/

#Ethiopia: #Visa backs upcoming Enkopa tech and entrepreneurship summit

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has signed on as platinum sponsor for the Enkopa Summit in Addis Abeba.

The tech and entrepreneurship summit, organized by Laurendeau and Associates, aims to drive innovation and collaboration within Ethiopia's startup ecosystem.

https://addisstandard.com/asdailyscoop-visa-backs-upcoming-enkopa-tech-and-entrepreneurship-summit/

Editorial: #Saudi Arabia’s killing and inhumane mistreatment of #Ethiopian migrants with impunity must end. Victims cannot afford the indifference of the Ethiopian government and the world at large!

Over the past years, despite credible evidence, Saudi Arabia categorically denied this gross human rights violation, including the systematic killing and inhumane mistreatment of vulnerable migrants at its borders and inside the country’s notorious prison facilities which are more concentration camps.

Lack of meaningful measures from the international community including the UN to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its actions have now set a dangerous precedent that the country continues to kill and inhumanely mistreat migrants with impunity.

In this editorial Addis Standard calls on the Ethiopian government and the international community take a solid, urgent, and extraordinary stand to end more migrants from being killed at the Saudi border, and bring forward accountability including by bringing onboard Saudi Arabia to investigate and ensure justice for the hundreds already killed.

https://addisstandard.com/editorial-saudi-arabias-killing-and-inhumane-mistreatment-of-ethiopian-migrants-with-impunity-must-end-victims-cannot-afford-the-indifference-of-the-ethiopian-government-and-the-world-at-la/

IGAD members to adopt single electronic visa system

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is making progress towards implementing a single visa system to enhance regional integration in East Africa. Comprising eight countries, the #IGAD region aims to promote easy movement of tourists and business travelers by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Executive Secretary, discussed the objective of this system during a consultation meeting in Djibouti on 28 August. He emphasized that the unified electronic visa would facilitate the movement of people and goods across the region.

The meeting also focused on the implementation requirements and included a presentation on the adopted protocol for free movement of persons. This initiative aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Within 20 days, member states are expected to review the memorandum of understanding and express their willingness to participate. The free movement protocol was endorsed by IGAD ministers responsible for internal affairs and labor in February 2020.

https://regionweek.com/igad-members-to-adopt-single-electronic-visa-system/

Ethiopia- Super Typhoon Saola Buffets Hong Kong as One Airline Risks a Rare Landing

*Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner was the only aircraft to land at Hong Kong airport during a super typhoon on Friday evening.

*The daring landing took place on a wet runway with considerable wind shear and 32 knots of crosswind.

*Hong Kong’s airport saw a total of 460 flight cancellations due to the extreme weather, with Cathay Pacific suspending all its flights.

*The event was closely followed by 6,400 people on FlightRadar24, making it the most tracked flight globally at that time.

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Hong Kong - Super Typhoon Saola, a severe weather system with sustained winds of 210 km per hour near its center, posed significant challenges to the city’s aviation infrastructure. According to the local airport authority, a staggering 460 flights were cancelled on Friday. Cathay Pacific Airways, the flag carrier for Hong Kong, suspended all flights between 2 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. Public transportation services were largely suspended in the city as well.

https://www.airlinerwatch.com/2023/09/super-typhoon-saola-buffets-hong-kong.html

AfDB debars Beza Consulting Engineers plc, its chairperson for 15 months for fraudulent practices

The African Development Bank Group has announced a 15-month debarment of Beza Consulting Engineers PLC and its chairperson, Gidey Gebrezgabher Gebremariam. This action comes after an investigation by the bank's Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption uncovered fraudulent practices by Beza Consulting Engineers PLC and Gidey during a tender for consultancy services for the Kapoeta-Boma-Raad Road project. The project aimed to develop infrastructure connecting Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.

During the debarment period, Beza Consulting Engineers PLC and its affiliates, as well as Gidey, will be ineligible to participate in any Bank Group-financed activities. In order to resume participation after the debarment period, Beza Consulting Engineers PLC must implement an integrity compliance program in accordance with the bank's guidelines.

Similarly, Gidey will only be eligible to resume participation after completing an accredited business ethics and integrity training, also consistent with the bank's guidelines.

https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-debars-beza-consulting-engineers-plc-and-mr-gidey-gebrezgabher-gebremariam-15-months-fraudulent-practices-64008