After a year of breathtaking changes in the Arab world, what awaits in 2026 is hard to predict
On the last day of 2025, while much of the world was on leave, four major developments occurred that will likely shape how 2026 will unfold in the Middle East. Third, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump and informally launched his election campaign. While the ramifications of those actions will unfold, one thing is certain: the UAE is pulling out its forces from Yemen. And yet, the Middle East is not one “Middle East” - and the Arab world extends beyond its regional borders or even Asia, deep into Africa. Syria, perhaps, stands out most of all as a country that is choosing to turn the corner on war and destruction.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 18:01 UTC
Ethiopia's Efforts in Improving Coffee Quality, Productivity Gaining Momentum
Ethiopia's ongoing efforts to improve coffee productivity and quality are generating strong results, creating significant potential for foreign exchange earnings, and strengthening the country's competitiveness in the global coffee market, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority. The Authority reported that the adoption of improved coffee varieties, modern agricultural technologies, and sector-wide reforms have delivered tangible gains in production and export performance. Coffee remains Ethiopia's leading foreign exchange earner, and recent productivity improvements are translating into rising export revenues. These reforms have also contributed to a steady rise in foreign exchange earnings. Moreover, efforts are underway to expand value-added coffee products in international markets in addition to exporting raw coffee.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 17:12 UTC
South African and Portuguese firms win contract for 150 MW Weranso Solar Plant in Ethiopia
...South African and Portuguese firms win contract fo...South African and Portuguese firms win contract for 150 MW W...South African and Portuguese firms win contract for 150 MW Weranso Solar Plant in Ethiopia
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 15:32 UTC
Ethiopian government denies “no political” Prisoner
However, the Ethiopian government is denying that there is “no political prisoner” or a person arrested because of “identity.”The Minister for Justice, Hanna Arayaselassie, on Thursday appeared at the Ethiopian parliament to present a report and address questions from parliamentarians over 95 percent of whom are from the ruling Prosperity Party. He joined the Ethiopian parliament with National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) and was making a reference to parliaments who were thrown to jail soon after the Ethiopian government started military operations in the Amhara region of Ethiopia in August 2023. “There is no person who was charged because of a political stand or because of identity,” the minister responded to Abebaw’s question. Recently, there has been a rumor that the Ethiopian government is releasing political prisoners and journalists ahead of the upcoming general election in June. The lawyer, whose name was unspecified, responded “so far no prisoner has been released.”__Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkenaLike borkena on FacebookBorkena Ethiopian News Youtube ChannelTo submit Press Release, send submission to info@borkena.comAdd your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business DirectoryJoin the conversation.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 15:09 UTC
Caught in the crossfire of war, a community in Ethiopia keeps preaching peace
The Arwa Amba is a pacifist pocket of around 500-600 people nestled in the northern mountains of Amhara, over 550 kilometres from the capital, Addis Ababa. Now, Arwa Amba members are loath to even leave the village for fear of violence. There are many bandit groups," explained Claudio Maria Lerario, a photographer who spent months living in Arwa Amba documenting daily life. There is no difference in status between men and women in the Arwa Amba community," Gebeyehu said. Ethiopia's multi-ethnic society has witnessed profound violence in the decades that the Arwa Amba has existed.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 07:05 UTC
Ethiopia's 2025 Ascent - From Reform to National Power
Reform and Self RelianceKeep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedInIn 2025, Ethiopia's Homegrown Economic Reform agenda reached maturity, delivering measurable macroeconomic stability and sectoral growth. Energy Sovereignty, Regional InterdependenceThe full operational launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in 2025 redefined Ethiopia's energy and diplomatic standing. Completed after 14 years of domestic financing, GERD secured national energy sovereignty while opening new avenues for regional cooperation. Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa underscored its strategic impact, saying, "GERD has secured Ethiopia's energy future while opening a new era of regional power trade." In summary, by the close of 2025, Ethiopia had demonstrated that reform, when anchored in national consensus and strategic vision, could deliver lasting transformation.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 05:05 UTC
NSE President calls for unity, integrity ,professional renewal in 2026
The 35th President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. The 35th President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, F.ASCE, FAEng, MFR, has called on engineers across the country to embrace unity, professionalism and collective responsibility as the Society enters 2026. The NSE President paid tribute to past presidents of the Society, acknowledging their visionary leadership and commitment, which he said laid the foundation for the progress recorded so far. The NSE President assured members of his dedication to diligent service, expressing confidence that, together, engineers would build a stronger and more prosperous Society.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 01:29 UTC
Ethiopian Airlines Achieves A350-900 MRO Paint Milestone – THISDAYLIVE
Ethiopian Airlines has recorded a major maintenance, repair and overhaul milestone with the successful completion of Africa’s first full strip-and-paint programme on the Airbus A350-900. The achievement, carried out on two aircraft, marks a decisive expansion of Ethiopian Airlines’ in-house MRO capability and reinforces its long-term strategy of technical self-reliance. Therefore, the development positions Ethiopian Airlines as a continental leader in advanced composite aircraft painting. The A350 strip-and-paint programme follows the recent introduction of full composite painting capability on the Boeing 787 fleet. By executing the programme internally, Ethiopian Airlines has demonstrated the depth of its engineering competence while reducing dependence on offshore maintenance providers.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 02, 2026 01:22 UTC
Zohran Mamdani chose a Quran full of symbolism for his mayoral oath
And while he has focused heavily on the issue of affordability during his campaign, Mamdani was outspoken about his Muslim faith. It is part of the collection at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. “It’s a small Quran, but it brings together elements of faith and identity in New York City history,” Abid said. Unlike ornate religious manuscripts associated with royalty or elites, the copy of the Quran that Mamdani will use is modest in design. Following the inauguration, the Quran will go on public display at the New York Public Library.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 20:43 UTC
Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX) Daily Trade Data – 31 December 2025
For all other commodities, price is in (Birr/Quintals), 1 Quintal = 100Kg. To get more commodity trade information, you may call ECX on short number 929 or text to them on short number 934.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 19:28 UTC
Nepal's First Online News Portal
Regional daily Le Nouvelliste also said its sources were describing “a heavy toll”, with “around 40 dead and 100 injured”. Images published by Swiss media showed a building in flames, and people screaming and running in the dark. Swiss media suggested that the fire may have started when pyrotechnics were used during a concert, but police siad the cause was unkown. Several hours after the blast, an AFP photographer saw a number of ambulances on the road from Crans Montana. Police said the areas was “completely closed to the public”, and that “a no-fly zone over Crans Montana has been imposed”.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 18:37 UTC
Ethiopia to resume public transport in conflict-affected Tigray region
The Ethiopian government announced that preparations have been finalized to resume public land transport services in the country's northernmost, conflict-affected region of Tigray. The Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics said instructions have been sent to public transport associations to start land transport from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to the Tigray region, state-affiliated Fanta Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported. According to the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the service will launch once the national ministerial committee, headed by the country's Minister of Peace, approves it. Late last month, Ethiopian Airlines resumed its flights to Mekele, the capital of the country's rebel-held Tigray region. The agreement also includes the restoration of law and order, the restoration of services, and unhindered access to humanitarian supplies.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 18:34 UTC
Why 2026 could be another difficult year for the dollar
The dollar is expected to remain weak in 2026, after its worst decline in years, amid a slew of factors that are keeping market watchers on edge. “The fate of the US dollar will continue to be a big story in 2026,” said Gregor Hirt, chief investment officer at Allianz Global Investors. Why dollar's strength mattersThe US dollar, the world's biggest reserve currency, ended last year tumbling about 9 per cent against a basket of currencies for its worst showing since 2017. Unlike gold, which has an inverse effect on the dollar, currencies weaken when interest rates are cut. In emerging markets, for instance, stablecoins could be used domestically as an alternative to local currency, broadening dollar access but challenging monetary control if domestic currency use declines, supporting the dollar, analysts at US asset manager BlackRock said in its 2026 Global Outlook.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 16:59 UTC
Ethiopia’s operators raise tariffs due to macroeconomic conditions
Both of Ethiopia’s operators – Ethio Telecom and Safaricom – have announced tariff rises, citing current macroeconomic conditions as the main reason, alongside increased investment requirements for network expansion and service quality. The ITWeb Africa news service calls this the company's most aggressive pricing adjustment since entering the Ethiopian market two years ago. Both price adjustments are being widely described as a response to the depreciation of the Ethiopian currency, following the government’s decision to allow the birr to float freely in mid-2024. That said, in November parent company Safaricom reported a narrower loss in its Ethiopian operations along with sustained growth in mobile money and data services. Safaricom Ethiopia’s customer base now stands at around 11.1 million users, impressive for a relative newcomer, although Ethio Telecom can now boast an estimated 86 million subscribers.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 16:21 UTC
Lagos- based Zenith Bank to Start Operations in Ethiopia
(3 Minutes Read)Zenith Bank is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, and is a sizable financial institution operating through branches and representative offices in Africa and key international financial centers, providing corporate, retail, digital, and infrastructure financial services. Lagos-based Zenith Bank is the latest to show interest in joining the Ethiopian financial sector, more than a year after Parliament ratified legislation opening the banking industry to foreign investment. Zenith Bank is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, and is a sizable financial institution operating through branches and representative offices in Africa and key international financial centers, providing corporate, retail, digital, and infrastructure financial services. They can incorporate a subsidiary in Ethiopia, buy stakes in a domestic bank, establish a local branch office, or open a representative or liaison office. The law caps foreign investment in a bank at 40 percent ownership, while a domestic bank cannot sell more than 49 percent of its authorized shares to foreign investors.
Source:Ethiopian News
January 01, 2026 16:12 UTC