Addis Ababa to Implement Full Ban on Fuel Motorcycles

After years of evolving regulations, the Addis Ababa city administration is implementing a complete ban on fuel motorcycles, phasing them out in favor of electric ones.

https://shega.co/post/addis-ababa-to-implement-full-ban-on-fuel-motorcycles/

@Shegahq

Is the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s Introduction of New Banking Fees Justified?

Are new banking fees at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, spanning from charges for cash withdrawals to monthly fees for mobile banking usage, necessary and fair? Shega Insights Associate Omer Hussein shares his view.

https://shega.co/post/is-the-commercial-bank-of-ethiopias-introduction-of-new-banking-fees-justified/

@Shegahq

Application Opens for the Digital Energy Challenge 2024

The Digital Energy Facility has launched applications for the 2024 Digital Energy Challenge, its annual competition awarding prizes to startups developing innovative digital solutions in energy access, grid management, and decarbonization across Africa.

https://shega.co/post/application-opens-for-the-digital-energy-challenge-2024/

@shegahq

Affordable Electric Vehicles in Addis Ababa

Car dealerships in Addis Ababa sell various electric vehicles (EV) from different brands, including Volkswagen (ID 4 and ID 6), Toyota, and Honda. But most of these vehicles are priced between four and six million birr.

Shega went to the market to find the most affordable EV cars available.

https://shega.co/post/affordable-electric-vehicles-in-addis-ababa/amp/

@shegahq

Did you miss our February edition EdTech Mondays radio show? No worries, all you have to do is click on the below link and access the full show where we highlight Ethiopia's Digital Education Strategy and Implementation Plan.

Join our community and explore the innovative pathways transforming education in Ethiopia. Be part of the conversation!

#EdTechMondays #EdTechMondaysEthiopia #Ethiopia #Africa #Education #EdTech #Tech #AddisAbaba #ICT #Infrastructure #Digital #DigitalLiteracy #Shega #mastercardfoundation

Check out the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NooIxzUuJAE&t=568s

@shegahq

Childhood Mechanic Turns Entrepreneur Manufacturing Eco-friendly Brake Pads

Researchers worldwide are actively exploring the use of industrial and agricultural waste for brake pad production. Behailu Seboka, co-founder of Askema Engineering, has navigated his own path and is producing eco-friendly brake pads made from crushed bones.

https://shega.co/post/childhood-mechanic-turns-entrepreneur-manufacturing-eco-friendly-brake-pads/

@shegahq

Ethiopian Investment Firms form Alliance to Connect Local Startups with Global Investors

Five Ethiopian investment firms have come together to establish the Madeg Partnership, which aims to source investment opportunities on behalf of a Japanese venture capital (VC) firm.

https://shega.co/post/ethiopian-investment-firms-form-alliance-to-connect-local-startups-with-global-investors/

@shegahq

An Overview of Ethiopia’s First Digital Education Strategy

The five-year strategy and implementation plan aims to tackle long-standing challenges in access, equity, and quality of education through the strategic integration of technology.

https://shega.co/post/an-overview-of-ethiopias-first-digital-education-strategy/

@shegahq

Government Responds Loud, Clear to Startup Policy Reform Skepticism

A panel discussion held last Thursday delved into the recently announced startup policy reforms. While attendees anticipated details on the implementation timeline, they received a different and stronger response.

https://shega.co/post/government-responds-loud-clear-to-startup-policy-reform-skepticism/

@shegahq

Ethiopia Launches National QR Code Standard

In Ethiopia QR Code transactions have been confined to specific bank accounts or wallets, resulting in a fragmented system and hindering wider adoption. The new interoperable QR codes leverage a standardized format, enabling them to function seamlessly with any participating payment app.

https://shega.co/post/ethiopia-launches-national-qr-code-standard/

@shegahq

Ethio Telcom Adds Chat Feature to Telebirr

Ethio Telecom announces the launch of telebirr Engage, a new chat feature integrated within its popular telebirr SuperApp.

https://shega.co/post/ethio-telecom-adds-chat-feature-to-telebirr/

@shegahq

Wingu Africa Becomes the First Tier III Certified Data Center in Ethiopia

Wingu Africa, a data center provider in Ethiopia, has become the first company in Ethiopia to receive Tier III certification for its facility located in the ICT Park from Uptime Institute, the global authority on data center standards.

https://shega.co/post/wingu-africa-becomes-first-certified-tier-iii-data-center-in-ethiopia/

@shegahq

How to Think about Financial Inclusion in Ethiopia?

While Ethiopia draws lessons from the financial inclusion successes of its neighbors, we need to ask bigger questions. How should we tailor financial solutions to truly resonate with the unique socio-economic fabric of Ethiopia?

Catch up with the first of many monthly analysis articles by AKOFADA (Advancing Knowledge on Financial Accessibility and DFS Adoption), a project that is working to increase the knowledge base of Ethiopia’s DFS ecosystem.

https://shega.co/post/how-to-think-about-financial-inclusion-in-ethiopia/

@shegahq

Does your business boast unique value propositions and a scalable model? If you answered yes to these questions, then unlock Mesirat’s business development, marketing, technology, and qualified financing support by applying to the Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program 5th Cohort applications.

Application link: https://mesirat.org/apply/

#GigWork #MesiratEthiopia #GigEconomy

Partner Content

Reach for Change to Accelerate 36 EdTech Startups in Ethiopia, Allocating $2.1 Million for Equity-Free Funding

Reach for Change Ethiopia, a social enterprise incubator focused on improving youth and children’s lives, has announced a new EdTech Fellowship in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

https://shega.co/post/reach-for-change-to-accelerate-36-edtech-startups-in-ethiopia-allocating-2-1-million-for-equity-free-funding/

@shegahq

Former INSA Employees Establish Cyber Security Firm

Five former Information Network Security Administration (INSA) employees have ventured out to establish their own cybersecurity firm.

https://shega.co/post/former-insa-employees-establish-cyber-security-firm/

@shegahq

Meet Zemeo: a Platform That Lets Fans Request Personalized Videos from Ethiopian Celebrities

Inspired by the global platform Cameo, Zemeo is a new Ethiopian online platform that allows fans to request personalized video messages from their favorite celebrities.

https://shega.co/post/meet-zemeo-a-platform-that-lets-fans-request-personalized-videos-from-ethiopian-celebrities/

@shegahq

Understanding the Rationale Behind Commercial Bank of Ethiopia’s New Banking Fees

Asresahegn Yilma, a professional in the banking sector, offers a closer examination of the economic landscape and the challenges faced by CBE, providing a nuanced understanding of the rationale behind the bank’s introduction of new banking fees.

https://shega.co/post/understanding-the-rationale-behind-commercial-bank-of-ethiopias-new-banking-fees/

@shegahq

Love, Sweat, and No Customers

In our second edition of Shega Forensic, which looks into the failures of startups, products, and business models within our ecosystem, we explore BeQetero, an appointment booking and management app that met its demise before reaching the light of usage.

https://shega.co/post/love-sweat-and-no-customers/

@shegahq

Is Japan Becoming Ethiopia’s Startup Ecosystem Unlikely Hero?

Ethiopian startups have secured $11 million in funding over the past two years from Japanese venture capital firms (VCs). This influx of capital from a single source outpaces investment currently flowing into Ethiopia's startup ecosystem from other VC streams.

Additionally, over $10 million is slated for investment in the coming year. Why are Japanese VC firms increasingly eyeing Ethiopia?

https://shega.co/post/japan-venture-capital-vc-ethiopia-startups/

@shegahq