Africa’s richest man says he needs 35 visas to travel in Africa – way more than a European visitor
The 67-year-old entrepreneur’s visa woes have reignited a fresh firestorm about the frustrations of traveling within Africa for Africans. But many African countries still require visas from other Africans and the experience is fraught with discrimination, hostility and sky-high fees. He has also been detained at airports in Kenya and South Africa because of his Nigerian passport. “There’s a fear in richer African countries that people from poorer nations might be looking for a way to permanently move there,” he explains. His new St Kitts passport allows him to go to more African countries than his Nigerian passport.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 22, 2024 09:31 UTC
OCP – Launch of Customized Solutions for Ethiopian Wheat
“OCP Africa’s support for this project will address the unique soil challenges in Ethiopia, such as salinity and acidity. By conducting comprehensive assessments of the local soil, climate, and cropping systems, we will develop customized solutions to improve soil health and fertility. Since 2019, OCP Africa has developed and tested customized fertilizer formulas, significantly improving productivity on acid soils. As OCP Africa embarks on this journey, the commitment remains strong to supporting Ethiopia’s efforts towards a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. Tags: wheat, yield, Ethiopia, agricultural sector, Global Center on Adaptation, African Development Bank, OCP Africa, Ethiopia's Climate Resilient Wheat Value Chain Development Project, Kingdom of the Netherlands
Source:Ethiopian News
May 22, 2024 08:08 UTC
One dead and 30 injured as Singapore Airlines plane makes emergency landing due to turbulence
A Singapore Airlines flight (flight SQ321), operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport due to severe turbulence. The Boeing 777-300ER, carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members, encountered unexpected severe turbulence as it flew over the Andaman Sea. Officials at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport confirmed the fatality but have yet to provide a complete tally of the injured. Singapore Airlines has not yet released detailed information on the number of passengers injured during the incident. The airline issued a brief statement confirming the emergency landing and indicated that an investigation is underway to determine the specifics of the incident and the cause of the severe turbulence.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 23:42 UTC
Minor Hotels exceeds revenue, profit expectations in strong Q1 earnings report
Minor Hotels’ core revenue in Q1 reached THB 29.6 billion, marking a substantial 17% year-over-year gain and surpassing budget projections. This robust performance was driven by the continued strength in revenue generation, with healthy rate growth recorded across the group’s hotel portfolio, particularly in Europe and Thailand. Minor’s owned and leased hotels portfolio contributed 80% of core hotel and mixed-use revenues in the first quarter, up 21% year on year. Global rate growth drives profitabilityMinor Hotels reported positive growth in Average Daily Rate (ADR), with system-wide Q1 figures up 11% year-on-year. Minor Hotels is targeting a rapid expansion of its hotel network, with a target of 200 new hotels by 2026.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 21:47 UTC
Volunteers help create new home for refugees in Western N.Y.
“Today we are doing a setup for an Ethiopian mom and her six children,” said Kathy Elias, creator of Kathy’s Happy Helpers. “It's a scary situation," said Kate Pelczynski-Walker, public relations and communication specialist for Catholic Charities of Buffalo. She pulls from a team of people in her Facebook group called "Kathy’s Happy Helpers." "But it's so gratifying.”While they usually don’t meet the families they serve, sometimes the people they help do join Kathy’s Happy Helpers. You can find them on Facebook or reach out to your local Catholic Charities branch.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 20:35 UTC
Ethiopia on track for 7.9 pct economic growth in 2023/24 fiscal year
Highlighting the "impressive performance" of various economic sectors, Assefa said agricultural products have achieved commendable outputs. Total government expenditure during the same period amounted to 495 billion birr (about 8.6 billion dollars), with capital expenditure accounting for a substantial 15.5 percent of the total. Ethiopia has generated about 2.5 billion dollars from the export of goods and 5.8 billion dollars from service exports. The minister expressed confidence that the projected 7.9 percent economic growth is achievable by the end of the fiscal year, attributing it to the positive outlook and progress made in key economic areas crucial for the country's macroeconomic development. Despite consistently high economic growth over the last decade, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries, according to the World Bank.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 18:11 UTC
Ethiopia upgrades consulate in Somaliland to full-fledged embassy
Ethiopia upgrades consulate in Somaliland to full-fledged embassyADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has reportedly upgraded its consulate in Hargeisa, the regional administrative capital of the Somaliland region, to a full-fledged embassy, which could escalate the existing conflict with Somalia. Ali Mohamed Hassan, alias Ali Marehaan, the minister for information and culture in Somaliland, said Ethiopia had confirmed the new status of relations with Somaliland, adding that this is the 'process towards recognition of Somaliland'. Over the weekend, Somaliland leader Muse Bihi Abdi hinted at the development, as the region celebrated its 33rd independence day. In an interview with the BBC, Ali Hassan Mohamed said the decision by Ethiopia had been announced by Muse Bihi Abdi, adding that the two parties shall recognize each other as sovereign states. Somaliland and Puntland vowed to work closely with Ethiopia on matters of development, ruling out warning from Somalia.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 17:27 UTC
Chinese-built railway boosts Ethiopia's import-export trade: official
ADDIS ABABA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti railway has significantly reduced logistics time and costs, boosting Ethiopia's import and export trade, according to the Ethio-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway Share Company (EDR). Currently, more than 15 percent of Ethiopia's overall import and export trade is conducted via this railway. Zenebe said the railway is particularly effective in streamlining the transportation of Ethiopia's major export commodities, such as coffee. He noted that 98 percent of Ethiopia's entire coffee export, a cornerstone of the country's agriculture-led economy, now passes through the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway. Official data reveal that the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway has transported 680,000 passengers and 9.5 million tons of cargo, with an average annual transportation revenue increase of 39 percent over the past six years.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 16:39 UTC
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said county was not told about Cuban delegation tour of Miami's airport
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said county was not told about Cuban delegation tour of Miami's airport Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the county's Chief of Public Safety James Reyes said they were caught off guard by the visit on May 20th.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 16:39 UTC
BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE AND ABEL "THE WEEKND" TESFAYE RELEASE THE BUNA TETU COLLECTION INSPIRED BY ETHIOPIA'S TRADITIONAL COFFEE CEREMONY
"The Ethiopian tradition of Buna Tetu is synonymous with home for me and has greatly deepened my appreciation for Ethiopian coffee," said Tesfaye. Ethiopia's Buna Tetu coffee ceremony served as inspiration for the creation of Buna Tetu Blend. Ethiopian coffee is renowned for its vibrant and expressive flavors, each cup representing a journey back to the very origin of coffee itself. Through Samra Origins, Blue Bottle and Abel invite coffee drinkers to discover the remarkable flavors of Ethiopian coffee and experience the country's rich coffee heritage and traditions. Contact:Blue Bottle Coffee[email protected]SOURCE Blue Bottle Coffee
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 16:02 UTC
Posts falsely claim that Ethiopian government confiscated archbishop’s passport for SA trip
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been at loggerheads with the government since an internal rift plunged the church into crisis in February 2023. “Abune Abraham’s passport was seized to prevent him from travelling abroad,” reads an Amharic post published on May 10, 2024. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the highest authority is the patriarch – currently Abune Mathias who was part of the delegation that travelled to South Africa on May 10, 2024. However, the claim that Abune Abraham was prevented from travelling to South Africa is unfounded. “Not true”The church explained that Abune Abraham had originally planned to travel to South Africa with Mathias, in a statement released on the same day the claim was published (archived here).
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 15:29 UTC
Ethiopia's economy poised for 7.9% growth in current fiscal year, reports Minister Fitsum Assefa
Fitsum Assefa, minister of planning and development (Photo: MoPD)Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s economy is on track for robust 7.9% growth in the current fiscal year, according to Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum Assefa. Additionally, rice production saw a dramatic increase, soaring from eight million quintals to 38 million quintals during the same period, according to the minister. “Digital transactions have increased by an additional four trillion birr this year compared to the previous year,” Minister Fitsum reported. Except for merchandise exports, Fitsum disclosed that service exports increased by 7.3%, remittances by 7.4%, and FDI by 4% during the period. These achievements, according to Minister Fitsum, are strong indicators that Ethiopia is positioned for a 7.9% economic expansion in the current fiscal year.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 15:17 UTC
Ethiopian Insurance Corporation Makes Strides in Risk Management and Growth
The Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC) is reporting a boost in its risk management capacity, exceeding Birr 6.2 trillion in the first nine months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year. These reforms focused on expanding the corporation's service offerings, modernizing its operations, and making insurance more accessible to the public. Additionally, the corporation paid out Birr 2.2 billion in compensation while achieving a record pre-tax profit of over Birr 1.2 billion. However, CEO Netsanet Lemesa acknowledges ongoing challenges in making comprehensive insurance accessible to everyone. To effectively manage current risks and claim costs, Netsanet emphasizes the need for appropriate adjustments to insurance premiums.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 14:49 UTC
KEFI announces launch of Tulu Kapi Gold project in Ethiopia
Gold and copper exploration company KEFI has announced the launch of the Tulu Kapi Gold project in western Ethiopia. The project was launched by the Tulu Kapi Gold Mines (TKGM) Board, which includes representatives from KEFI, the Ethiopian Federal and Oromia Regional Governments. The finance plan for the Tulu Kapi Gold project includes $190m in secured debt from development banks, around $100m in equity risk capital from KEFI’s shareholders and a $110m equity risk note from Ethiopian subsidiaries of multinational corporations, repayable in cash or KEFI shares. The Tulu Kapi Gold project is expected to create around 1,000 direct jobs and between 5,000 and 10,000 indirect jobs, with foreign direct investment of around $500m, including historical investment. KEFI executive chairman Harry Anagnostaras-Adams said: “Our launch timing is fortuitously coinciding with the improved conditions in Ethiopia and all-time high gold prices.
Source:Ethiopian News
May 21, 2024 14:47 UTC