October 19, 2024
Ethiopia has received the lowest internet freedom score among 17 African nations assessed in Freedom House’s “Freedom on the Net 2024” report, scoring 27 out of 100 and earning a “Not Free” rating.
The report highlights significant challenges faced by internet users in Ethiopia, including government-imposed disruptions in connectivity and restrictions on online journalists. These measures, according to authorities, are often justified by the country’s ongoing armed conflict and unstable security situation.
“Governments in conflict-affected nations, such as Ethiopia and Sudan, frequently interrupt internet access citing national security concerns,” the report states. This has led to what Freedom House describes as “severe restrictions” on digital rights, contributing to Ethiopia’s low score.
Sudan and Egypt, both scoring 28 points, ranked just above Ethiopia, reflecting similar challenges. In contrast, Kenya scored 62, ranking third, while Uganda scored 53.
The study also found a mix of trends across Africa. South Africa scored the highest, with 74 points and a “Free” rating. Zambia saw the most improvement, gaining 3 points to reach 62, while Zimbabwe experienced the largest decline, dropping 3 points to a score of 48.
The report noted that 16 out of the 17 countries analyzed had cases of internet users being arrested or detained for their online speech, and nine countries reported physical attacks on individuals due to their online activities.
Previous research from the Center for Rights and Democracy (CARD) revealed that Ethiopia experienced significant economic losses from internet shutdowns. In 2023 alone, the country lost approximately $1.59 billion due to over 14,900 hours of internet outages, impacting 29 million users.
A separate report by Top10VPN also ranked Ethiopia second globally for economic losses due to internet restrictions in 2023, estimating the total at around $1.9 billion. These shutdowns, frequently linked to conflict and instability, have become increasingly common, particularly in regions like Tigray and Amhara.
(AS)
Safaricom Extends M-PESA Global Services To Ethiopia
Safaricom has launched M-PESA Global services in Ethiopia enabling customers to make mobile money transactions from Kenya to Ethiopia. The main goal of this expansion is to increase mobile money penetration across the region of Ethiopia and boost local economies through new opportunities for individuals and businesses across the country.
According to the telco, the launch is also set to focus on meeting the needs of clients and users in the ever-evolving Ethiopian market, which Safaricom has been a part of for almost 3 years now while prioritising the process of remaining compliant with the laws of the local industry.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Elsa Muzzolini, Safaricom Ethiopia’s Chief Financial Services Officer, stated, “We are thrilled to work with M-PESA.” Kenya, especially at a time of foreign exchange policy reforms made by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), encourages a growing number of Ethiopian diaspora, and business owners are embracing digital payments to send money to their loved ones and fund their operations.
“Our M-PESA Ethiopia customers should now be able to receive safe and affordable transfers from M-PESA Kenya thanks to this collaboration, which will further promote the region’s adoption of digital payments. We look forward to a successful collaboration,” she added.
Users of M-PESA in Kenya will now be able to make transfers to M-PESA Ethiopia through M-PESA International Remittance. Users in both countries will be able to do this easily through their M-PESA wallets as well.
The expansion marks a significant step for M-PESA Global and Safaricom allowing customers to send and receive money from and to over 190 countries.
(techweez)
Toyo to build 2GW cell plant in Ethiopia
Japanese cell and module manufacturer Toyo Solar plans to build a 2GW solar cell plant in Ethiopia.
Construction is expected to start in November 2024, with production expected to begin at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Toyo Solar plans to use the cells produced at the Hawassa plant in Ethiopia at its module assembly plant in the US, which is currently under construction, while diversifying its supply chain. With an annual nameplate capacity of 2GW, Toyo expects the module assembly plant in the US to be commissioned in 2025.
Unveiled last month, the company also highlighted it expects to produce cells in the US in the first half of 2026, a year after opening the Ethiopia cell plant.
“We are thrilled to embark on this ambitious project, which will enable us to rapidly scale up solar cell production to meet the needs of our planned module facility in the US. Establishing this manufacturing plant is a key step in our strategic vision to diversify our supply chain and enhance our sourcing capabilities for solar solutions in the global market,” said Junsei Ryu, CEO of Toyo Solar.
Construction of the solar cell plant in Ethiopia will represent an estimated US$60 million investment and will be financed through internal resources and pre-payments. The PV manufacturer selected a 31,500m2 facility that will be modified to meet the needs of an automated cell production plant, while creating up to 880 jobs, including positions in manufacturing and engineering.
Moreover, Toyo Solar selected the country due to its favourable policies, tariff status—Ethiopia is exempt of from tariffs for bifacial solar cells under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 of the US, according to the company—and electricity generation predominantly (nearly 90%) coming from hydropower.
An initiative aimed to scale up renewable energy manufacturing capabilities in Africa was launched in 2023 by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the African Climate Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, ClimateWorks Foundation and the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association. The initiative aims to unlock up to US$850 million in investments in renewable power manufacturing across the continent.
A report accompanied the launch of that initiative, which highlighted ten countries to build solar PV or battery storage manufacturing capacity. Ethiopia was not one of the countries on the list.
Toyo Solar’s work represents a step forward for solar manufacturing in Africa, following a swathe of PV manufacturing announcements made in Middle Eastern countries. Elsewhere in Africa, Singapore-headquartered EliTe Solar recently unveiled plans to build an 8GW solar cell and module plant in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone. The plant would be commissioned in two phases, with the first one bringing 2GW of solar cell annual nameplate capacity online, and EliTe Solar aims to finish the second phase by September 2025.
(PVTECH)
Ethiopian Airlines to Extend New Aircraft to Lagos Fleet
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s No 1 carrier has said it will soon introduce its newest state-of-the-art Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that offers unmatched comfort, luxury, and technological advancements to its Lagos fleet.
This is just as it marked its 78th anniversary at the 20th Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos.
The airline’s Sales Manager Adetola Alabi, disclosed this while presenting a paper titled: ‘Ethiopian Airlines, Past, Present and Future Innovations for Continued Leadership in Aviation’.
She also showcased the airline’s rich history and exciting future.
Alabi said that passengers could expect a spacious and modern cabin with wider seats, more legroom, and a premium travel experience.
The A350-1000, Alabi informed, also features cutting-edge entertainment systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a quieter, smoother flight.
On the legacy of resilience and innovation, the sales manager stated that Ethiopian Airlines has been steadfast in Nigeria since the country’s independence in 1960.
She noted that despite challenging times, including the Nigerian Civil War the airline has remained committed to serving the Nigerian market.
(Thisdaylive)
Ruto urges banks to join pan-African payment system
Kenyan President William Ruto is urging commercial banks to expedite plans to sign on to the Pan-African Payments and Settlement Systems (Papss) to avoid using the dollar.
The Papss agreement signed on September 29, 2023, features Kenya, Djibouti, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“We want to reduce our transaction costs, especially for products and trade that are transferred,” President Ruto said at the official launch of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Accelerator programme and the release of the Banking Industry Total Tax Contribution Report on Wednesday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre Nairobi.
He pointed out that Africa losses over $5 billion in payment transaction costs each year.
“With the Papss, we can sell and buy products from the continent in our local currencies,” he said.
“Not many banks are using that system. I want to encourage more banks to join the system. It is good for you. It reduces your transaction costs, reduces unnecessary exchange rate issues and helps us pay for products from different countries. Our traders don’t have to run around trying to change money from currency to another,’ he said.
Raimond Molenje, acting Kenya Bankers Association CEO, said the banks were keen to join the system.
“We are having a meeting with the Central Bank of Kenya to ensure that we have a national switch to the system. We need to have a central payment system in the country so that we can trade with other East African countries,” he said.
The Papss was launched in 2019 by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a single market facilitated by movement of persons, liberalisation of markets in Africa, and boost intra-African trade,
Afreximbank on September 28, 2021announced the formal rollout of the system to serve as a continent-wide platform for the processing clearing and settling of intra-African trade and commerce payments.
On January 13, 2022, Papss officially launched activities after a pilot phase in the West African Monetary Zone.
(The EastAfrican)