Abiy Ahmed

Ethiopia
US firm APCO Worldwide pulls out of its lobbying work for Addis Ababa

To ingratiate itself with Washington, Addis Ababa has two US lobbying firms working on its behalf.

Ethiopia
Abiy mounts political and military purges in Amhara

After the violence that broke out in the Amhara Regional State late month, Abiy Ahmed's government has seen a wave of defections to which it has responded with an overhaul of the political and security line-up.

Ethiopia
Ex-Ethiopian Shipping Lines boss could soon rival former employer

Roba Megersa has not been idle since he was dismissed in March as head of state-owned Ethiopian Shipping Lines in the wave of liberalisation reforms that have swept through the industry. At the helm of another transport company, the former CEO is eyeing up the logistics sector.

Ethiopia
Dutch Flower suspends operations after farm burnt in Amhara unrest

Unrest in Ethiopia's Amhara region spilled over into a flower farm in which Dutch Flower Group is a stakeholder and left much of the plantation burnt out. The Dutch giant has suspended operations there until it gets assurances from the state that its interests will be properly protected.

East Africa, Ethiopia
Indian firm selected for first phase of digital ID project

The government has launched a vast programme to set up a digital identity system for citizens. Its printing and data storage contracts offer rich pickings.

Ethiopia
The two faces of Tigray justice

Behind the government's public enthusiasm for transitional justice mechanisms, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been quietly undermining the commissions set up to look into war crimes committed in Tigray.

Ethiopia
Deloitte hopes its pro bono IPO training will bear rich fruit

The auditing and consultancy giant will shortly hold another training session for companies planning to list on the upcoming Ethiopian Securities Exchange. It's an opportunity to approach potential clients.

Sudan
Sisi struggles to drum up interest in Sudan summit

The summit of states neighbouring on Sudan, which is due to take place in Cairo on 13 July, will be attended only by Chad, South Sudan and Egypt. Two months of diplomatic effort on the part President al-Sisi have produced minimal results.

Ethiopia
More turbulence ahead for Ethiopian Airlines

The imminent ousting of Mesfin Tasew Bekele, who has been CEO of Ethiopian Airlines since March 2022, prompted the chairman of the board Girma Wake to step down unexpectedly last week.

Sudan
AU takes issue with its partners over Sudan mediation

On 15 June at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the peace and security commissioner Bankole Adeoye made no secret of his displeasure in front of the assembled partners.

Ethiopia
Pakistani pharmaceutical industry eyes Ethiopian market

Hoping to take advantage of the diplomatic rapprochement between Addis and Islamabad, Pakistan's industrial heavyweights, including a number of pharmaceutical laboratories, are on the lookout for business opportunities.

The New Guard
Burkina Faso, Morocco, Angola, Ethiopia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Burkina FasoJoseph Zagré, housing the middle class

MoroccoAhmed "Spins", the other Akhannouch junior

AngolaVera Daves de Sousa, Lourenço's financial ace

EthiopiaBethleem Tilahun Alemu, the entrepreneur keen to rival Nike

Ethiopia
Russia beefs up its trade diplomacy in Addis Ababa

The Russian embassy in Addis Ababa is shortly due to welcome new trade representative Yaroslav Tarasyuk, who was appointed by decree by prime minister Mikhail Mishustin in mid-May.