High growth has been driven by increasing government spending Low tax-take and stodgy t-bill market meant borrowing to plug deficit Market reforms and fiscal framework needed to improve management Ethiopia’s economic growth of the past decade has mainly been driven…
Shiferaw Shigute, the departing Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, is likely to become Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Canada, according to diplomatic sources. Shiferaw would replace Aster Mamo, who was appointed in August. Aster reportedly left her position after she has named her…
Successful democratic change requires scrutiny of reforming authorities. Not shaming those who dare to air critical views about the powers that be. A few weeks ago, while discussing my impressions of Dr. Abiy and his premiership, a friend took offense…
For decades, the relationship between Ethiopians in the U.S. and the government back home has been characterised by mutual antagonism. But Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit this month is eagerly anticipated by a community energized by his leadership. By Arefaynie…
(Editors’ note: This article is published as a response to Alemayehu Weldemariam’s Ethiopia Observer commentary headlined Ethiopia’s Charismatic Leader: Riding the Wave of Populism or Reforming Ethnic Federalism? The original version of this response was published on the author’s Facebook…
Reforming Government pursing privatizations and trade liberalization Ethiopia lacks institutional capacity to manage overlapping commitments Weak financial and manufacturing industries may suffer from competition If you follow international trade, you may be feeling both excited and anxious. Excited because Africa…
Preaching unity is one thing, but the Prime Minister’s methods risk undermining the political system that ties Ethiopia’s federation together. Abiy Ahmed must capitalize on his brilliant and bold beginning with careful, inclusive reforms. “But even regarding History as the…
June 23, 2018 is not a day that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will easily forget. That morning he spoke at a rally where a huge Meskal Square crowd gathered to enthusiastically support his reforms and message of tolerance. The joyous…
The rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front repeated its pledge to interrupt oil and gas extraction in Ethiopia’s Somali region after the Government announced plans to test crude deposits. “As long as the Somali region people don’t get autonomy and the…
After four months in the role, Shiferaw Shigute has resigned from his position as Chairperson of the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM), a member party of the ruling coalition, because of recent unrest in that area of the country. “It is…