Ethiopia is currently the most vulnerable country in the world to malware attacks, according to an assessment from a senior Israeli cybersecurity expert. Government entities and critical infrastructure, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the telecommunications sector, have been repeatedly targeted.

At an Executive Cybersecurity Workshop organized by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and the Ethiopian Cyber Security Association, in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel, Andrew Pelled, Vice President of the cybersecurity firm Cyber Integrity, discussed the severe challenges facing Ethiopia. He noted the rapid expansion of digital services, stating, “The population is very large, but the services are growing. With more digital services come more risks, attacks, and challenges.”

Pelled referenced an INTERPOL assessment that ranked Ethiopia first globally for malware attack detections in 2024. He indicated that the country faces a risk four times higher in critical sectors such as government, telecommunications, banking, and national infrastructure, including essential services like electricity. He explained that there is a significant gap between the pace of digital adoption and the implementation of robust security measures. “As we encounter more challenges, we must implement solutions quickly and securely,” he added.

The primary cyber threat vectors in Ethiopia are phishing, ransomware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and mobile fraud, with critical infrastructure and financial institutions being frequent targets.

Drawing on over fifteen years of experience in cybersecurity and digital resilience, Pelled reported that in the first half of 2024 alone, Ethiopia experienced 4,623 attacks on banks. “These attacks ranged from sophisticated fraud attempts to large-scale credential theft operations, jeopardizing the stability of the financial ecosystem,” he stated.

He also highlighted the scale of DDoS attacks, noting that 40 billion attempts were recorded against telecom networks in just 14 days, threatening nationwide connectivity and causing significant service degradation. Attacks on critical national assets are another major concern, with many ministries and the GERD facing sophisticated attempts aimed at data theft, service disruption, and the compromise of operational technology/industrial control systems (OT/ICS).

Phishing remains the primary method for initial compromise in Ethiopia. “Threat actors are using AI-generated texts and sophisticated impersonations of trusted entities—such as local banks and government ministries—to deceive users,” Pelled explained.

Ransomware has also emerged as a significant threat to financial organizations, focusing on encrypting data and sensitive information. “These attacks lead to severe operational downtime, financial loss, and reputational damage,” he noted, adding that recent incidents indicate a shift toward “double extortion,” where attackers threaten to leak data if the ransom is not paid.

Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia, Avraham Neguise, emphasized that as Ethiopia undergoes an impressive digital transformation—expanding e-government services, fintech, digital infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems—safeguarding digital assets is increasingly critical.

“Israel is proud to partner with Ethiopia on its journey toward a secure and innovative digital future. Our two countries share a long-standing relationship based on mutual respect, friendship, and practical cooperation,” he stated. “Over the years, Israel and Ethiopia have collaborated in areas such as agriculture, water management, health, and education. More recently, this cooperation has extended into the realms of digital technology, high-tech, and innovation, reflecting the evolving needs of modern economies.”

He underscored that Israel is globally recognized as a leader in cybersecurity.

Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority (ECMA) has unveiled draft rules for a landmark Investment Protection Fund that prioritises compensation for small private investors while explicitly excluding large corporations and institutional players — a move designed to build public trust in the nascent financial sector.

Announced during a stakeholder forum on the draft regulation — grounded in Article 103 of Capital Market Proclamation No. 1248/2013 — the fund covers losses from broker negligence, fraud or insolvency, but not market fluctuations. Sirak Solomon, ECMA’s senior legal advisor, emphasised its focus: safeguarding everyday savers channeling hard-earned bank deposits into shares for their children’s future or rainy days.

“Small investors can’t afford lengthy court battles like big firms,” Sirak stated. “This fund protects their life savings from service provider failures.”

The fund targets the vulnerable “transition period” — from handing cash to a broker until shares hit the market. If a broker misappropriates funds, diverts money improperly or collapses, compensation kicks in swiftly, bypassing litigation.

Crucially, it excludes investment losses from price drops. “We avoid the word ‘guarantee’ — market risk is yours alone,” ECMA clarified. Examples of covered claims: brokers pocketing payment without buying securities. Uncovered: bonds tanking due to economic shifts.

Maximum payout caps at 100,000 birr per investor — mirroring bank deposit insurance — sufficient for most retail participants in Ethiopia’s emerging market. “Lose 30,000 birr? Full recovery. Lose 5 million? Capped at 100,000,” Sirak illustrated.

To recover payouts, ECMA introduces “whistleblower fees” rewarding tips on hidden or stolen broker assets. Detailed operations — payment processes, compensation committee rules — fall to flexible ECMA directives, avoiding repeated cabinet approvals for minor tweaks.

Excluding giants signals to corporate Ethiopia: no government backstop. Institutional investors must rigorously vet brokers and banks, fostering market discipline.

For ordinary citizens, the fund marks a trust-building milestone. By shielding small savers — not tycoons — from broker misconduct, ECMA aims to lure depositors from banks to stocks, fuelling capital market growth.

As Ethiopia builds its exchange and disclosure regimes, this retail-first safety net underscores social equity: the little guy’s savings matter more than boardroom bets. With rules finalised, public uptake could redefine how Ethiopians grow wealth beyond fixed deposits.

Ethiopia’s industrial parks — once hailed as engines of manufacturing growth — are bleeding skilled labour, with only 20% of 350,000 trained workers still employed in the sector, according to a new Policy Studies Institute (PSI) survey.

The comprehensive study, presented at a PSI consultative forum on industrial parks and special economic zones, reveals that while parks have invested heavily in training since the first facility opened in 2007, high turnover, low wages and global market shocks have slashed the active workforce to roughly 70,000.[conversation context]

Dr. Alemnew Mekonen, PSI lead researcher, called the situation “alarming.” “Parks have trained over 350,000 workers, but now employ just 70,000. Retention rates are critically low,” he said, pinning blame on wages that fail to match urban living costs, particularly for rural youth — especially women — entering factory work for the first time.

Ethiopia operates 24 public and private parks spanning 4,600+ hectares, which peaked at 90,000 employees and 40% of national manufacturing exports. But the AGOA suspension has triggered a sharp downturn: 28% of firms report major export declines, 24% have pivoted to domestic markets, and 14% seek new buyers abroad. This has forced 39% workforce cuts across parks.

Sisay Sintayehu, PSI researcher, highlighted parks’ vulnerability: factories import 95% of raw materials, with local linkages below 5%. Foreign currency shortages exacerbate the problem, while inflation and unaffordable housing near hubs like Hawassa and Bole Lemi drive workers away.

The study draws lessons from manufacturing success stories. China selected special economic zones based on rigorous location analysis, resource flows and market access, powering 60% of exports. Vietnam ties investor incentives to performance, pairs vocational training with worker housing, and offers long-term land leases (up to 70 years) for top exporters.

Researchers urged Ethiopia to abandon politically driven park locations for economically viable sites, enforce local supply chain mandates, and shift to results-based tax breaks. “Choose investors on economic merit, not political pressure,” Dr. Alemnew said, calling for legal frameworks linking foreign firms to domestic suppliers.

Despite vocational investments, the “industrial dream” is colliding with urban realities. Without wage reforms, housing solutions and market stabilisation, Ethiopia risks squandering its park infrastructure and trained manpower at a time when manufacturing revival is critical for jobs and exports.

State Minister of Health has issued an urgent plea for international partnerships to combat a dire shortage of chemotherapy drugs and diagnostic tools threatening thousands of children with cancer each year.

State Minister Dr. Dereje Deguma described childhood cancer as a “nightmare” during the inauguration of the Ethiopian Society of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology (ESPHO), warning that irregular drug supplies force families to abandon treatment midway. With 6,000–8,000 new cases annually — over 10 percent of the country’s 80,000 total cancers — only 20 percent of patients receive timely diagnosis, often arriving at hospitals in advanced stages with slim survival odds.[conversation context]

“Drug availability is inconsistent,” Dr. Dereje stated. “This chronic shortage creates heartbreaking situations where families must stop treatment for lack of medicine.” Despite government subsidies, life-saving chemotherapy remains erratic, compounding low diagnosis rates and limited advanced equipment.

Most patients reach facilities only after the disease progresses severely, when treatment windows narrow dramatically. The minister stressed that global cooperation is essential to secure steady supplies and diagnostic capacity, ensuring Ethiopia’s progress in expanding medical access isn’t derailed.

The ESPHO launch signals a professional milestone after 15 years of advocacy by specialists. Previously, childhood cancer treatment was virtually nonexistent; now dedicated units operate nationwide.

ESPHO President Dr. Abel Hailu hailed the pioneers who “carried the torch of hope.” Key milestones include Jimma University Medical Center’s first chemotherapy in August 2016, followed by Mekelle Ayder (2017), Gondar University (2020) and St. Paul’s Hospital (2021). Hawassa, Wollega, Bahir Dar and Ambo hospitals are establishing units, decentralising care beyond Addis Ababa.

“From no service at all, we’re building regional capacity,” Dr. Abel said, crediting over 30 locally trained pediatric hematology-oncology specialists from the past decade.

Ethiopia has transformed a void in pediatric cancer care into functional centres, but experts warn that facilities alone won’t suffice. Skilled manpower growth is promising, yet sustained drug supplies, transparent diagnostics and international support remain critical to convert infrastructure into lives saved.

The minister’s call comes amid broader health system gains — rural outreach, hospital upgrades — but underscores childhood cancer’s unique urgency. ESPHO positions itself as the government’s key technical partner, aiming to professionalise response to a disease once dismissed as rare or untreatable in the region. Without global solidarity, Ethiopia risks consigning thousands more children to preventable tragedy.