Diageo, the owner of internationally renowned brands such as Johnnie Walker, Bailey’s and Smirnoff, among many others, just turned 20. It was back in 2012 that the multibillion dollar global conglomerate decided to have a strong presence in Ethiopia by wholly acquiring the now 50-year-old Meta Abo Brewery from the then Privatization and Public Enterprises Supervising Agency at a handsome fee of USD 225 million – a record fee at the time. After five years of operations and a whopping USD 100 million expansion, Diageo is thriving in Ethiopia.

Sandra Vitale lost her beloved son in 2009 as a result of a car accident. The unanticipated misfortune led her to turn to a new mission of becoming an advocate for road safety within Ethiopia – a country that has pressing issues with recurrent traffic accidents. In this week’s edition, she shares with Samuel Getachew of The Reporter about losing her son, her advocacy work and reflects on what she is doing to help a major problem in the nation. Excerpts:

The acclaimed Ethiopian - American film, Guzo B’ Lambadina is to have its premier in Addis Ababa on Saturday, December 23 at Vamdas Theatre, around 22 area, and to wider audiences the day before. The film that is based loosely based on a true story has been touring festivals around the world and winning its director Messay Getahun recognition and audiences.

Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh is the Djiboutian Minister of Economy and Finance. He is an outspoken official who emphasizes on the work that needs to be done for the common benefit of countries in the region and their people. He believes that the development of Ethiopia is also the development of Djibouti.

After a career that span decades traveling and working in many corners of the world, Azeb Asrat has returned home. She is determined to help change the narratives of home, by working and leading a local Rotary Club in the capital. Here, she sat down with The Reporter’s Samuel Getachew, to discuss the history of the Rotary Club, the many local activities, the difficulties of attracting young professionals and reflects on the legacy she wants to leave behind as an active Rotarian. Excerpts:

For nine years Professor Kenichi Ohno and his team have been engaging the Government of Ethiopia on various issues with regards to industrial development.

Stephen Estrada served as the director of the United States Diplomacy Center/Museum and Education Center. Involved in a number of Smithsonian institutions in the United States, he was recently in Ethiopia touring historical sites, including Lalibela.

Yara International is a global fertilizer manufacturing company which has been supplying fertilizer to Ethiopia for years. In 2009 a subsidiary called Yara Dallol BV was established which has been engaged in potash exploration project in the Danakil Depression in the Afar Regional State, northeastern part of Ethiopia.

This year marks a century old diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Greece. With Samuel Getachew of The Reporter, the ambassador of Greece, Nikolaos Ch. Patakias reflects on the importance of the relationship, the historic mutual journey of both nations, on supporting Tedros Adhanom’s (PhD) historic attempt to lead the World Health Organization, on why it was a “dream” for him to come to Ethiopia as a representative of Greece. Excerpts:

Fabiola Vilchez is President and Executive Director of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc. (SCOLA). Vilchez runs this organization in order to forge more diplomatic cooperation platforms with global partners through mutual interest.