Ethiopia’s State Minister of Finance Dr. Eyob Tekalign has called on Africa to promote digital financial services to boost women’s economic opportunities.

He made the call yesterday at a panel of G7 and African countries during the 75th United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Dr. Eyob said, “Although many African governments are doing much more to harness digital technologies to build more inclusive economies, much remains to be done to ensure women benefit from the digital advancements, especially those that live in rural and marginalized communities.”

He added, “improving women’s access, use, and control over financial services enable them, especially the poorest women, to achieve the same status, power, and opportunities as men resulting in dramatic social changes that propel society forward.”

Furthermore, Dr. Eyob, noted how the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of digital services encouraging the use of digital payment services.

In particular, he explained how for emerging economies, the challenges from the pandemic have brought more opportunities to promote financial inclusion objectives through the use of technology.

Source: FBC

The House of People’s Representatives (HPR) has lifted restrictions imposed on the tourism industry and sporting events.

Ethiopia introduced the restrictions on the travel industry and sporting events in March this year due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The FDRE House of Peoples Representatives has decided with a majority vote and eight abstentions to hold the 6^th general elections in adherence to COVID-19 precautionary measures based on the recommendations forwarded by the Ministry of Health.

The decision came after the house assessed the report from Women, Youth, Social Affairs and Legal, Justice, and Democratic Affairs Standing Committees submitted regarding the recommendations forwarded by the Ministry of Health to hold the elections with the observance of guidelines put in place to protect the spread of the virus.

The Resolution No 16/2020 tabled by Chairperson of Women, Youth, and Social Affairs Standing Committee, Abeba Yoseph regarding the endorsement of the recommendation on national elections has been passed by members of the parliament with a majority vote and eight abstentions.

The house has so far approved appointments of ministries and nomination of Federal Court’s judges.

Source: FBC

Foreign Affairs Ministry has briefed resident Ambassadors on “Dine for Nation” Project which aims to expand beautification and greenery works across the nation.

In his opening remarks on the briefing session, Foreign Affairs Minister, Gedu Andargachew told the resident ambassadors that the already completed “Dine for Sheger” Project has transformed Addis Ababa, a diplomatic seat, in many aspects.

The projects launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed under the “Dine for Nation” National Scheme will be implemented in a way to creating jobs in addition to building a green resilient economy and transforming the image of the country, Gedu explained to the Ambassadors.

The Foreign Affairs Minister further called upon the diplomatic community to contribute support to the National Greenery and Beautification Projects.

Innovation and Technology Minister, Dr. Abrham Belay, Director General of Ethiopian Road Authorities, and Manger of the Gorgora Project, Dr. Fiseha Tegegn have tabled presentations highlighting the implementation of the projects.

Source: FBC

ያለን ቦታ አነስተኛ ስለሆነ ቀድመው የተመዘገቡ በውይይቱ ላይ በቀጥታ ይሳተፋሉ።
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The center was designed to support young entrepreneurs through capacity building and research excellence.

It will be a site for the development of functional and problem solving technological innovations.

The opening of the center is expected to modernize various sectors and facilitate the transition to digital economy.

It would also help to save both time and money by replacing human labor with technologies.

The establishment of the center was approved by the Council of Minister early this year.

The Prime Minister seized the opportunity to caution all Ethiopians locally and abroad to not be tools of money laundering.

“Amidst a period of currency change, I call upon all Ethiopia loving Diaspora to use appropriate channels of remittance to ensure that you’re not a channel for illicit currency transfers,” he said.

Last Monday, Ethiopia introduced new banknotes that have enhanced security features and other distinctive elements.

The new banknotes replace the birr 10, 50, and 100 notes while an additional birr 200 note has also been unveiled.

Source: FBC

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has begun the distribution of new banknotes.

NBE Governor Yinager Dessie and President of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Abie Sano launched the distribution yesterday at the CBE-Addis Ababa branch.

The Government of Ethiopia last Monday introduced the new currency notes that have enhanced security features and other distinctive elements.

The new currency notes replace the birr 10, 50, and 100 notes while an additional birr 200 note has also been unveiled.

The birr 5 note remains unchanged and will be turned into a coin format soon.

Some 15 enterprises and investors have purchased dinner coupons amounting 225 Million Birr in support of the “Dine for Nation” national project which aspires to expand greenery and beautification stride across the country.

The enterprises and the investors bought the dining coupons at a fundraising event summoned by Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie.

A national committee in charged with succeeding fundraising endeavors has been formed comprising experienced businesspersons, renowned public figures and investors in the country.

Deputy Mayor Adanech awarded recognition for individuals and enterprises that contributed their shares to the success of the “Dine for Sheger” project, the first version of the initiative.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially launched ‘Dine for the Nation’ program on August 16, 2020, to mobilize funds for three nationwide greenery and beautification projects in Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regions.

Source: FBC

The European Union (EU) has contributed 86.8 Million Birr to UNICEF to provide nutrition support for communities affected by desert locusts in Ethiopia.

The donation aims to extend humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities affected by desert locusts in the Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and Tigray regions.

The funding is being made available through the EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations directorate-general (ECHO).

Ethiopia and the United Nations in Ethiopia signed the 2020-2026 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

The strategic framework document was signed by Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, and Dr. Catherine Sozi, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia.

The document describes the collective response of the UN System in Ethiopia to national development priorities and helps achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UNSDCF, which seeks a total estimated budget of $7.1 billion, guides the entire planning and implementation of all UN development interventions in Ethiopia in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It is anchored in Ethiopia’s development priorities as outlined in the 10-Year Perspective Plan and the Home Grown Economic Reform agenda.

“The cooperation framework represents the renewed commitment of the UN development system to support Ethiopia’s development priorities and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the country in an integrated manner, with a commitment to leave no one behind, human rights and other international standards and obligations,” said Dr. Catherine Sozi.

Dr. Sozi also reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to continue supporting Ethiopia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ahmed Shide for his part said, “the Cooperation Framework is the planned support of the UN Agencies to the national development priorities of Ethiopia as shown in the Ten Years Perspective Plan and the Home Grown Economic Reform.”

The Finance Minister hailed the signing of the cooperation framework which comes at a time when Ethiopia is undergoing a major strategic shift to embark on a transformational growth while fighting against the pandemic.

Source: FBC