Good morning, market minds!
We’re back with a warm brew of Ethiopia’s latest economic headlines and some bold moves across the continent. From minerals and markets to EV chargers and cross-border investments, it’s been a calm but productive week — and we’ve got your front-row seat to it all.
🌍 All Eyes on Ethiopia: The 2025 Investment Forum
Addis Ababa is the place to be this May 12–13.
The Invest in Ethiopia 2025 forum is pulling in 700+ global investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, all under the bold theme:
“Ethiopia: The Next Frontier for Investment”
Why the buzz?
- Financial sector liberalization
- Better business regulations
- Massive untapped opportunities. ENA
🛍️ Foreign Trade Gets a Green Light
For the first time, foreign investors can join Ethiopia’s trade sector in a big way.
At the 2025 Forum, 40 new permits were granted for:
- Export & import
- Retail & wholesale trade
This marks a historic shift in Ethiopia’s liberalization push.
👉 Sectors like coffee, khat, poultry, oilseeds, and livestock are now open.
However, essentials like fertilizer and petroleum remain protected.
Minimum requirement?
A USD 500,000 export purchase order.
Notably, China leads the charge, with over 4,500 active projects in Ethiopia. The Reporter Ethiopia
⚡ Green Roads Ahead: Ethio Telecom’s EV Charge-Up
EV drivers, rejoice!
Ethio Telecom just launched its second ultra-fast EV charging station along the Megenagna–Bole road.
These twin stations:
- Support up to 32 vehicles 🚗
- Deliver full charges in 15 minutes ⚡
- Run 24/7 and integrate with telebirr for seamless digital payments
As fuel imports fade into the past, Ethiopia’s green mobility future is charging ahead—literally.
📈 Export Records, Sunday Markets, and a Digital Leap
Hold your breath—Ethiopia just hit a record USD 4.5 billion in export earnings over nine months!
What else is cooking?
- 2.6+ million users accessed digital business services 💻
- 374 Sunday markets were launched across the country 🛒
It’s a local trade revival—and a digital transformation—all in one. Fana BC
🏦 NBE’s New Rules: Liquidity Relief in Sight?
The National Bank of Ethiopia is on a reform roll. A new draft directive aims to ease the liquidity crunch faced by banks.
Key changes:
- A 5% daily reserve requirement
- Shift to monthly averages (lagged reserve system)
- Say goodbye to weekly reports—hello, bi-monthly compliance
Relief for some, concern for others (especially smaller banks). But overall? A smart move to boost interbank lending and ease cash flow pressures. The Reporter Ethiopia
📊 East Africa Gets Its First Regional Stock Index
Introducing the EAE 20 Share Index — the first of its kind in East Africa!
Developed by the East African Securities Exchanges Association, the index tracks 20 top-performing companies across:
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Rwanda
Why it matters:
- Covers 85% of regional market value
- Enables cross-border investment
- Paves the way for new financial products (👀 ETFs!)
Big step toward regional capital market integration! Read here
📈 ESX’s New Era: A Strategic Push for Capital Markets
The Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) just inked a strategic MoU with FSD Africa & FSD Ethiopia.
What’s coming?
- More government and corporate bonds
- Sharia-compliant instruments like Sukuk
- Broader investor education
- A goal to list 50+ companies in 5 years Read here
🎰 Ethiopia Goes Digital… with its Lottery!
Out with the old, in with the digital.
Ethiopia launched its first-ever digital lottery system on April 12.
Powered by Tamcon Software Solutions, it’s now accessible via:
- Mobile apps
- SMS/USSD
- Websites and retail vendors
It’s a cleaner, faster, and more transparent way to play. Read here
🌐 AfCFTA: Africa’s Destiny in Its Own Hands
Soliana Tafese’s deep dive reminds us of one truth:
Africa has the resources—but needs the unity.
AfCFTA brings together:
- 54 countries
- 1.47 billion people
- Tariff-free trade on 97% of goods
If fully implemented, it could:
- Create 16 million jobs
- Boost intra-African trade to 50%+
- Help Africa speak with one powerful voice on the global stage
🚨 But it all depends on political will, infrastructure, and regulatory harmony.
This is Africa’s shot. Will we take it? Read this week’s deep dive here
💸 Currency Reform: Ethiopia’s Tightrope Walk
Late 2024 saw Ethiopia embrace a freely floating exchange rate.
📉 The Birr fell from 114.72 to 127.92 ETB/USD.
📈 Inflation surged, especially on food and education.
📊 The parallel market narrowed—but didn’t vanish.
📍 Regional gaps widened, with inflation hitting 31% in Benishangul-Gumuz vs 17.2% in Harari.
The Ethiopian Economics Association urges:
- Stabilizing FX rules
- Tackling food inflation
- Bridging the parallel market
- Fixing supply chains.
Read the full article here
💎 Oromia Digs Deep, Strikes Gold (and More)
Oromia is flexing its mineral muscle.
The region has generated over USD 604.77 million in mineral exports this fiscal year! With 76 types of minerals identified, it’s clear the sector is no small fry — it’s a priority.
- Over 84,000 jobs were created 💼
- Imports worth USD 1.96 million were avoided 💸
- A new mining development standard is in place to combat illegal operations 🛡️ Fana BC
📡 Have You Explored the StockMarket.et Data Hub Yet?
Say hello to Ethiopia’s most comprehensive Economic & Financial Data Hub!
Built for analysts, investors, and curious minds — by the StockMarket.et team.
Inside, you’ll find:
📊 Economic indicators (GDP, inflation, employment & more)
🏦 Financial institution reports
💱 Live exchange rates & currency converter
📉 Bank exchange rate comparisons
🔍 Knowledge Base to make the most of it all
📧 Got a project, partnership, or idea? Let’s talk: [email protected]
✨ Wrapping Up…
From mineral booms and investment waves to EV boosts and digital wins, unfold Ethiopia’s economic story with us.
Until next Monday—
Stay curious, stay caffeinated ☕
And as always, crush your week ahead! 🚀
