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1.AMCE is currently looking for Organizations who are interested to provide Business Security Service. This task requires deployment of security personnel who possess excellent knowledge, skill, and experience in security service.

2.Interested bidders can purchase the bidding documents and Terms of Reference (TOR) from the Purchasing and Logistics Department for a non-refundable fee of Br 200.00. The documents will be available from July 6 to July 17, 2026, Monday to Friday, between 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 2:00 PM–5:00 PM.

3. Bidders must submit a valid Trade License, Tax Clearance Certificate, VAT registration, TIN certificates, and other documents specified in the TOR along with their offer.

4. Sealed bids marked “Bid for the Procurement of Business Security Service” should be submitted to the Purchasing & Logistics Department no later than 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

5. Bids must include a bid security of Birr 50,000.00 in the form of a CPO only. Bids will close at 10:00 AM on July 21, 2026, with the technical proposal opening at 10:30 AM in the presence of bidders’ representatives at AMCE Meeting Room.

6. The company reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids at its discretion.

7. For more information, contact the Purchasing & Logistics Department at eskinder.wsenbet@ivecogroup.com.

Happy Independence Day

admin

July 6, 2026

🎉ለመላው አሜሪካውያን/ት፤ እንኳን ለ250ኛ ዓመት የነፃነት በዓላችሁ በሰላም አደረሳችሁ በማለት አሐዱ፡ባንክ መልካም ምኞቱን ይገልጻል፡፡

ከብዙዎች ለብዙዎች

🎉On the occasion of the 250th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, Ahadu Bank extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes to all Americans.

Inclusive Intermediation

When preservation becomes distortion

Society

admin

July 5, 2026

Heritage conservation is often defended in the language of protection. We are told that roofs, shelters, barriers, and “improvements” are necessary to shield fragile monuments from rain, sun, wind, and human contact. Yet the first duty of conservation is not to impose a new idea upon an old site, but to respect the logic of the site itself. The most revealing heritage projects are therefore not always the ones that add the most infrastructure, but the ones that know when to leave a monument alone.

I was recently able to visit the Xixia Imperial Tombs, and what stood out immediately was not only their scale, but their restraint. The mausoleums rise from the landscape without interruption, exposed to the same environment that shaped them centuries ago. There is a sense of confidence in how the site is managed —protection is present, but it does not dominate what you see.

That experience makes the contrast with Ethiopia’s Lalibela rock-hewn churches even more striking. At the Xixia site, the tombs are preserved as part of a vast historical landscape, intentionally left open and protected through management, zoning, and environmental control rather than by covering them. Lalibela, by contrast, has been subjected to large protective structures that were meant to shield the churches from rain but have instead become part of the problem.

The lesson is not that one country values heritage and the other does not. The lesson is that preservation can be misunderstood when it becomes too eager to “fix” what should instead be carefully stabilized, interpreted, and respected in its original form.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs are remarkable not only for what they contain, but for how they are presented. The site is a necropolis of an ancient dynasty, with imperial mausoleums and subordinate tombs spread across a wide desert and mountain environment. Its value is not confined to individual structures; it lies in the relationship between the tombs, the terrain, and the horizon.

Walking through the site, you understand that its openness is not neglect—it is a deliberate conservation choice. The monuments are legible because nothing competes with them visually. The landscape remains intact, and the tombs retain their original context.

That matters because some heritage places lose meaning when they are over-managed. When a site depends on open space, natural light, and environmental context, enclosing it can weaken its historical integrity. Open preservation is a form of discipline: it accepts that authenticity is not improved by covering a monument, but by maintaining the conditions in which it acquired meaning.

Importantly, openness does not mean absence of protection. The Xixia site is carefully managed through environmental controls, flood mitigation, and regulated access. It is protected without being visually rewritten. That distinction is critical.

However, Lalibela presents a more complex challenge. The churches are carved directly into rock, forming a sacred and living landscape that has endured for centuries under natural exposure. Weathering is real, and deterioration is visible. The need for conservation is not in dispute.

What is in dispute is the method.

The large protective structures installed over some of the churches were intended as a solution, but in practice they have introduced new risks. These coverings alter airflow, trap moisture, and disrupt the natural interaction between the rock and its environment. Over time, they are not simply neutral additions—they are actively contributing to the deterioration of the very surfaces they were meant to protect.

This is the uncomfortable reality: not every protective structure protects. In Lalibela’s case, there is growing concern that the shelters are damaging the site, both physically and visually. They impose a foreign architectural layer onto a place whose identity depends on being carved from and open to its surroundings.

The debate is often framed as a question of aesthetics, but that misses the point. The issue is not whether the structures are visually pleasing or not. The issue is whether they are truthful to the nature of the site.

Xixia is a landscape monument; its openness is integral. Lalibela is a rock-hewn sacred city; its exposure is part of its design and meaning. Treating it like a conventional structure that can be covered without consequence ignores its fundamental character.

Authenticity is at stake.

A monument can be physically intact yet conceptually diminished if its relationship to its environment is altered. A shelter that changes how Lalibela breathes, drains, and is experienced does more than protect—it transforms.

Conservation often fails not because of neglect, but because of misplaced action. Institutions feel pressure to produce visible interventions—structures that signal effort and justify funding. These are easy to photograph, easy to present, and easy to defend.

But visibility is not the same as effectiveness.

In many cases, the most responsible conservation measures are the least visible: drainage systems, slope stabilization, careful monitoring, and controlled access. These do not attract attention, but they address the root causes of deterioration.

Once large structures are built, however, they become difficult to question. Too much has been invested—financially and institutionally. As a result, flawed solutions persist, even when evidence suggests they are contributing to the problem.

The value of the Xixia Tombs lies not just in their history, but in the philosophy behind their preservation. The site is treated as an environment rather than a construction challenge. Its integrity is maintained by managing the broader system, not by enclosing individual elements.

Seeing the site firsthand makes this approach more convincing. The tombs do not feel exposed in a vulnerable sense; they feel grounded, stable, and respected. Their preservation is achieved through restraint.

This is a lesson that resonates far beyond China. It shows that intervention is not always the answer, and that sometimes the most effective way to protect a monument is to leave it visible, legible, and connected to its landscape.

What Real Protection Requires

Real conservation begins with humility. It recognizes that monuments are not blank surfaces for technical solutions, but complex entities shaped by environment, history, and meaning.

For Lalibela, this means prioritizing drainage, erosion control, slope management, and careful monitoring of the rock itself. Any intervention should work with the site, not against it. If protective structures are used, they must be minimal, reversible, and demonstrably compatible with the site’s microclimate.

At present, there is a strong argument that the existing coverings fail that test.

For Xixia, the lesson is already clear: protection does not require enclosure. It requires understanding.

Heritage policy must move beyond the reflex that equates protection with construction. Some sites need shelters. Others need distance. Others still need nothing more than careful management.

Lalibela deserves a more thoughtful approach—one that respects its identity as a living, open, rock-hewn landscape. If the structures built to protect it are instead accelerating its deterioration, then the approach must be reconsidered.

The real question is not whether we can cover heritage. It is whether we can protect it without distorting it.

Ethiopia’s decision to join the New Development Bank: unlocking new avenues for development financing

Opinion

admin

July 5, 2026

Ethiopia’s decision to join the New Development Bank: unlocking new avenues for development financing

By Amanuel Tadesse

The global development finance architecture is undergoing a profound transformation. As developing countries seek greater access to affordable, sustainable, and diversified sources of financing, new multilateral institutions are emerging to complement traditional international financial mechanisms. Among the most prominent of these institutions is the New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS countries in 2015 to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects and to strengthen economic, financial, and development cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies.

For Ethiopia, which is implementing far-reaching macroeconomic reforms while pursuing an ambitious development agenda, access to reliable and sustainable development financing has become both a strategic necessity and an economic imperative. Ethiopia’s aspiration to accelerate infrastructure development, industrialization, energy expansion, climate resilience, agricultural transformation, and digital transformation under the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy and its broader national development agenda requires substantial long-term capital that cannot be generated through domestic resources alone.

Recognizing the growing need for affordable and sustainable development financing, the Council of Ministers’ decision on 26 June 2026 to refer the Agreement Establishing the New Development to the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR) for ratification marks an important legal step toward Ethiopia’s full membership in the Bank. It also represents a significant milestone in the Country’s economic diplomacy and development financing strategy following its admission to BRICS on 1 January 2024. Ethiopia submitted its application for membership to the NDB management in October 2023, prior to the country’s formal accession to BRICS in January 2024.

Given these developments, this article probes Ethiopia’s ratification process of the Agreement Establishing the NDB, and explores how membership in the Bank could unlock opportunities for development financing to support the country’s macroeconomic reform program, infrastructure investments, industrialization ambitions, and long-term development aspirations.

The New Development Bank: The Financial Institution of BRICS

BRICS has developed a comprehensive framework for strategic cooperation built upon three principal pillars: political and security cooperation, economic and financial cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. These pillars are guided by the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus.

To advance the economic and financial pillar of BRICS cooperation and address the infrastructure financing gap facing developing countries, the founding BRICS members established the New Development Bank (NDB). The NDB was established under the Agreement on the New Development Bank, signed on 15 July 2014 during the 6^th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. The Agreement entered into force in July 2015, enabling the commencement of the Bank’s operations.

Since its establishment, the NDB has expanded beyond its founding members. The NDB admitted Bangladesh on 16 September 2021, the United Arab Emirates on 4 October 2021, Egypt on 20 February 2023, Algeria on 19 May 2025, and Uzbekistan on 5 June 2026 as a new member country. The Bank’s Board of Governors has also approved the accession of Ethiopia, Uruguay, and Colombia in 2025 and Angola in 2026 as prospective members. Admitted countries become full members upon completion of their respective accession requirements and payment of the first installment of the subscribed capital.

The headquarters of the Bank is located in Shanghai, the Peoples Republic of China, pursuant to a Headquarters Agreement concluded with the Government of the Peoples Republic of China. Article 4(b) of Articles of Agreement of the NDB authorize the establishment of additional regional and country offices as necessary. So that to enhance its regional presence, the Bank established the Africa Regional Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Bank is currently led by former Brazilian President Mrs. Dilma Rousseff.

Under Article 1 of the Agreement on the NDB, the principal purpose of the NDB is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries, emerging economies, and developing countries. The Bank contributes to economic growth and sustainable development by providing financing through loans, guarantees, equity participation, and technical assistance to both public and private sector entities.

Importantly, as provided in Article 2 of the Articles of Agreement, the NDB was designed to complement rather than replace existing multilateral and regional development finance institutions. Through this cooperative approach, it seeks to strengthen the global development finance architecture and address persistent financing gaps faced by developing economies.

Membership in the NDB as per Article 5(b) of the Articles of Agreement is open to all Member States of the United Nations. Consequently, membership is not restricted to BRICS countries, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to broader international participation in development financing and economic cooperation.

The Bank recognizes two categories of members under Article 5(c) of the Articles of Agreement: borrowing members and non-borrowing members. Borrowing members are eligible to access financing facilities, while non-borrowing members contribute capital and participate in governance without seeking a loan. At present, the UAE is the only non-borrowing member.

The NDBs under Article 7 of the Articles of the Agreement authorized capital of US$100,000, divided into one million shares with a par value of US$ 100,000 each. Its initial subscribed capital is US$50 billion, comprising US$10 billion in paid-in capital and US$40 billion in callable capital. This structure provides the Bank with substantial financial resources while enhancing its creditworthiness and capacity to mobilize additional financing.

Since its establishment, the NDB has emerged as one of the most significant multilateral development institutions providing over 40 billion in total project financing for more than 120 strategic initiatives on infrastructure development, sustainable growth, and international economic cooperation.

Ethiopia’s Membership in The New Development Bank

Ethiopia has embarked upon comprehensive macroeconomic reforms aimed at promoting resilient growth, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. A central pillar of these reforms is the mobilization of adequate, sustainable, and diversified sources of financing to support the country’s ambitious development agenda. In this vein, membership in the NDB presents a significant opportunity for Ethiopia to expand access to development financing while strengthening its engagement with emerging multilateral financial institutions.

As clearly articulated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s development strategy requires strong institutional partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to support infrastructure development, industrial transformation, climate resilience, food security, and sustainable economic growth. Ethiopia’s long-term prosperity thus depends on mobilizing development finance that advances national priorities while preserving national ownership of its development pathways.

To advance these objectives, Ethiopia formally submitted its application for NDB membership to the Bank’s President in October 2023, prior to its formal accession to BRICS. It subsequently submitted its formal application to the NDB Board of Governors on 6 January 2024, receiving received broad political support from BRICS member states. In 2025, the NDB Board of Governors approved Ethiopia’s admission as a member. Following this decision, on 26 June 2026, the Council of Ministers approved the Draft Proclamation on the Ratification of Ethiopia Accession to the Agreement Establishing the New Development Bank and transmitted it to the HoPR for consideration and approval.

In this context, Ethiopia’s accession is closely aligned with the country’s Ten-Year Development Plan (2021-2030), which prioritizes infrastructure development, industrialization, energy expansion, climate-resilient growth, agricultural transformation, digitalization, and private-sector-led development. Access to NDB financing can therefore provide an important supplementary source of capital to support these strategic national priorities and accelerate the implementation of key development projects.

Upon ratification and the deposit of its Instrument of Accession with the Government of Brazil, the designated depository of the Agreement Establishing the New Development Bank, Ethiopia will formally become a member of the NDB, in accordance with Article 9(b) and (d) of the Terms, Conditions and Procedures for the Admission of New Members to the New Development Bank.

Unlocking New Avenues for Development Financing

Membership in the NDB is expected to yield several strategic benefits for Ethiopia, as outlined below.

First, it will provide access to additional financing for infrastructure and sustainable development projects. Ethiopia’s ambitious development priorities, including investments in agriculture, energy, transport, manufacturing, and industrialization, require substantial long-term financing. The NDB offers an important alternative source of development finance, capable of complementing existing support from traditional multilateral institutions and bilateral partners.

Second, membership can strengthen macroeconomic resilience and financial stability by broadening financing options and reducing excessive reliance on traditional lending sources. Diversified financing enhances fiscal flexibility and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

Third, accession to the NDB will deepen Ethiopia’s engagement in South-South cooperation and emerging development finance frameworks. This will facilitate greater economic collaboration, investment opportunities, technology transfer, and policy dialogue among developing countries.

Fourth, membership can support Ethiopia’s ambition to become a leading industrial and manufacturing hub in Africa. By facilitating access to financing for industrial parks, energy infrastructure, logistical networks, and productive sectors, the NDB can contribute significantly to the country’s industrial transformation agenda.

Fifth, membership offers valuable opportunities for capacity building, technical cooperation, institutional strengthening, and knowledge exchange. Such cooperation can enhance the effectiveness of national institutions and support the implementation of Ethiopia’s development priorities.

Ethiopia’s accession to the NDB reflects a strategic commitment to diversifying development financing, strengthening international economic cooperation, and mobilizing additional resources for sustainable development. As the country continues to implement its macroeconomic reform agenda, NDB membership could provide an important source of financing for infrastructure development, industrialization, and economic transformation.

Beyond its financial benefits, membership in the NDB will enhance Ethiopia’s participation in the evolving architecture of global economic governance. As a member, Ethiopia will be able to engage directly in the Bank’s decision-making processes, contribute to discussions on development priorities, and strengthen its cooperation with emerging economies across the Global South. If effectively utilized, accession to the NDB can contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s pursuit of inclusive growth, economic resilience, and sustainable prosperity.