Ethiopia has officially launched the National Precious Metals Refinery at the Bole Lemi Special Economic Zone. The landmark facility marks a decisive shift in Ethiopia’s mining strategy, transitioning the nation from relying on raw resource extraction to building robust domestic processing capabilities and high-value manufacturing.

Established through a strategic partnership between state-owned Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) and international investor Sam Precious Metals, the refinery represents a significant step forward for the country’s productive capacity. Mining—and gold production in particular—remains one of Ethiopia’s top economic priorities, having delivered remarkable export results in recent years. This new joint venture directly reflects the Medemer Government’s policy commitment to linking local resource extraction with state-of-the-art domestic refining and sustainable value creation.

At full operational capacity, the facility will be capable of processing more than 600 tonnes of precious metals annually. Designed to meet strict international standards, the plant is equipped to assay, refine, and cast gold into export-ready bullion. Additionally, it will manufacture both cast and minted gold and silver bars in a wide range of purities, opening up diverse commercial avenues in global precious metals trading.

Beyond its immediate economic output, the refinery is structured to position Ethiopia as a dominant regional hub for precious-metals refining and manufacturing across East Africa. By providing standardized assaying and refining within the country, the initiative introduces unprecedented levels of transparency, quality assurance, and market confidence in gold valuation.

Ultimately, the National Precious Metals Refinery embodies Ethiopia’s broader ambition to capture greater economic returns at home. By retaining value within its borders, expanding domestic industrial capabilities, and opening new opportunities in international markets, Ethiopia is laying a firm foundation for long-term economic resilience and sustainable growth.

The Addis Ababa City Administration has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework to overhaul how government institutions lease, manage, and procure office space across the capital.

​Outlined in Directive No. 192/2026 on Public Buildings Development, Standards, and Administration by the Public Property Administration Authority, the new rules aim to curb arbitrary pricing, enforce public accountability, and establish uniform building standards.

​Under the new directive, the Authority is legally mandated to conduct annual rental market studies. These assessments will evaluate current market rates, government financial capacities, and occupancy data to guide all future office procurements.

​Any lease adjustments will now follow a formal evaluation process. Landlords seeking rate increases must submit formal requests to the tenant institution. These are reviewed against local market conditions before recommendations are forwarded to the Finance Bureau. Furthermore, institutions wishing to renew existing contracts without altering rent or space must notify the Authority and the Finance Bureau in writing at least three months in advance.

The directive sets strict baseline requirements for all properties leased by the government. Properties must have approved architectural designs, completed construction, and valid holding licenses.

​Additionally, buildings must provide reliable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, continuous electricity and water supply, and backup generators. Other requirements include adequate parking, access to public transportation, clearly marked emergency exits, and accessibility features such as ramps and adapted restrooms for individuals with disabilities.

​Buildings permanently purchased by government institutions must meet these baseline standards while also providing quality construction materials, outdoor space, and direct connectivity to a main road.

​The directive clearly outlines the responsibilities of both landlords and tenant institutions to minimize disputes regarding building maintenance and usage.

​Government institutions are required to protect the rented properties, accurately report their space needs, and cover the costs of interior partitioning modifications subject to the landlord’s consent.

​On the other hand, landlords are responsible for repairing structural damages and building defects that affect the tenant’s property. They are also obligated to cooperate with space audits, and they cannot conduct routine building inspections more than twice within a six-month period.

Ethiopia retained its Tier 2 status in the U.S. State Department’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, even as criminal enforcement metrics deteriorated sharply over the past year. While the government expanded victim identification and enacted labor migration reforms, prosecutions and convictions fell to their lowest levels in recent reporting periods.

Federal authorities investigated 363 trafficking cases in 2025, down from 470 the previous year, with prosecutions dropping 40 percent to 417 individuals charged. Court convictions declined even more steeply, with judges sentencing 191 traffickers compared to 340 in the prior period, representing a 44 percent decrease. Legal observers attribute the downturn to systemic bottlenecks, including officials frequently conflating trafficking with migrant smuggling at regional levels and limited shelter capacity restricting victim-witness participation in trials. No victims received financial restitution through criminal sentences during the reporting period.

In contrast, victim screening efforts expanded significantly. Authorities identified 142,679 potential trafficking victims among repatriated citizens from the Middle East and neighboring African countries, more than double the 56,333 identified in 2024. Formal identification processes directly recognized 164 trafficking victims in forced labor and other exploitative situations.

The Ministry of Labor and Skills introduced Proclamation 1389/2025, activating the mandated Employment Board and reclassifying recruitment agencies into five tiers. Under the new framework, agencies must hold standby funds between 50 million and 250 million birr to cover victim assistance and repatriation costs, while medical examinations and vaccinations previously paid by workers are now borne by recruiters.

The report highlights evolving exploitation patterns, particularly the intersection of digital technology and trafficking. Transnational networks increasingly leverage fraudulent IT job advertisements and online platforms to target young job seekers, with Ethiopian men recruited through fake positions in Thailand and trafficked into forced labor within online scam operations across Southeast Asia. Domestic vulnerabilities remain acute, with an estimated two million internally displaced persons and over 1.1 million refugees facing heightened trafficking risks.

The government allocated approximately 19.9 million birr for anti-trafficking operations and shelter support, though civil society organizations continue advocating for greater resource allocation and decentralized protection infrastructure to counter entrenched trafficking networks effectively.

Domestically, severe economic pressures, high unemployment, and internal displacement left millions vulnerable. With an estimated two million internally displaced persons and over 1.1 million refugees residing within the country, displaced populations remain prime targets for predatory trafficking schemes. Additionally, credible sources noted that the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), alongside non-state armed groups including Fano forces, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), unlawfully recruited and used child soldiers in combat and support roles.

While the government allocated approximately 19.9 million Ethiopian birr for anti-trafficking operations, prevention initiatives, and shelter support, civil society stakeholders continue to advocate for increased resource allocation, decentralized protection infrastructure, and enhanced oversight to counter entrenched trafficking networks effectively.

Ethiopia has officially received the FIATA Talking Stick from Italy, marking the formal transfer of hosting responsibilities for the 101st FIATA World Congress, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027.

The symbolic transition took place during the closing ceremonies of the 2026 FIATA World Congress in Milan, which commemorated the centenary edition of the international organization.

Dawit Wubishet, President of the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), accepted the Talking Stick on behalf of the country. His leadership and coordination were central to securing the bid, facilitating international cooperation, and elevating the nation’s visibility within global trade networks.

As the upcoming host city, Addis Ababa prepares to welcome freight forwarders, logistics experts, government officials, and industry delegates from around the globe. The 2027 event is expected to function as a platform for stakeholders to examine Ethiopia’s evolving logistics framework, its geographic positioning as a gateway to Africa, and developments in regional trade connectivity.

Representatives from EFFSAA stated that the association will coordinate with key domestic transport and logistics entities—including the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ethiopian Maritime and Logistics (EMMa), Ethiopian Airlines, and Ethio-Djibouti Railways—alongside private sector partners to oversee the planning and execution of the congress.

The handover concludes the Milan summit and initiates a multi-year preparation cycle for Ethiopia as it takes over the responsibilities of hosting the international logistics organization’s flagship annual gathering.