While there were divers and comprehensive topics discussed at the 22nd World Economic Forum on Africa, the growth issue was the top on the agenda.

After months of engrossing vibe about the coming of the 22nd World Economic Forum on Africa to Ethiopia and the pertinent preparations to host the Forum in Addis Ababa, the African capital city has turned out to become a scenic and memorial place for the years to come, from the number of private jets that unusually crowded out the Bole Addis Ababa International Airport to the more recurrent road blocks in the main streets of the city to a number of sideline events that occurred at the same time in a number of venues including Sheraton Addis,  Addis Ababa Hilton Hotel, Radisson Blu and the Millennium Hall.

State-owned company vs. survival of print media

Some one 100+ media personalities Thursday morning slowly trickled into the new AU headquarter building, a venue for this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration in Ethiopia. The exchange of formal pleasantries, firm handshakes and some casual chit-chat among the journalists before they convened at the meeting hall displayed some degree of camaraderie and solidarity.

Ethiopia is one of the few African countries that mines and exports tantalum concentrate. As tantalum is used to produce vital electronic gadgets such as mobile phones there is a high demand for the product in the global market. At present Ethiopia supplies close to ten percent of the world consumption of tantalum.

Nature has endowed Ethiopia with many rivers with a potential to generate 45,000 MW of electric power. The country also has the potential to generate 10,000 MW from wind energy and 5000 MW from its geothermal resources found in the Great East Africa Rift Valley. However, so far the country, with a population of 80 million, was able to generate a little over 2000 MW.

By Henok Reta and Meirafe Berhane

A few weeks ago residents of Addis Ababa watched an exhibition staged in different parts of the city. The exhibition illustrated some of the most horrible accidents in which vehicles were involved in the past few years. One can see automobiles, trucks and minibuses which appear to be totally wrecked.

In the last couple of months, the political environment in Ethiopia has demonstrated various confrontations both internally and externally. These incidents mainly ranged from teacher’s salary adjustment to the Ethiopia forces attacking Eritrean military camps and the unwavering point of secularism. This was some of the points MPs raised last Tuesday and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi gave answers to among the questions raised. Asrat Seyoum and Merga Yonas followed the session.

By Henok Reta

Ranked among the few major religious holidays in Ethiopia, the celebration of Easter that centers around the colorful church sermon conducted after mid-night signifying the end of 55-day lenten season is really unique. In its true essence, Easter is more of multiple-holiday revolving around the biblical teachings of the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago.

The thin line between government spending and Inflation

Finally! It looks like it is time for policymakers to face the music. At last, it appears that the relentless pressure that the consumer has been under through the uncompromising inflation rate has been declared ‘no more acceptable’ by the authorities. Add a comment