The French government has expressed its intention to continue supporting Ethiopia’s economic reforms and the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, reaffirming its solidarity with the East African nation.

During an event organized by the French Embassy in Ethiopia, French Ambassador to Ethiopia Remi Marechaux stated that the French government has backed the previous IMF agreement and the economic reforms launched in 2019. “We intend to do so in the soon-to-be-agreed, soon-to-be signed IMF agreement. So we intend to continue supporting this economic reform through the engagement of the French government agency,” Marechaux said.

The event celebrated the induction of the French Business Association in Ethiopia (CAFE) into the prestigious CCI France International (CCI FI France Ethiopia) network.

Ambassador Marechaux highlighted the long-standing economic relationship between France and Ethiopia, dating back to the late 19th century when France was the first country to initiate rail development in the region. He noted that the French economic presence in Ethiopia today is diversified, encompassing sectors such as the food industry, transport, entertainment, and the energy sector.

“The first chamber was fueled by France’s diverse activities in the region, this included of course the railway sector, but it goes beyond the railway sector, and its members were active in industry, culture, trade and telecommunication. But also in services such as restaurants, printing, and even a movie,” the ambassador stated.

The ambassador expressed confidence in the future activities of the newly established CCI FI France Ethiopia network, which currently consists of 11 companies, including industry leaders such as Meridien, Total, and Castel.

The French government’s reaffirmation of its support for Ethiopia’s economic reforms and the upcoming IMF agreement comes at a critical time, as the country continues to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic headwinds.

Ethiotelecom has announced two significant strategic partnerships that aim to enhance the country’s education and healthcare sectors.

In the first partnership, Ethiotelecom has agreed to provide a Smart Campus Solution to Addis Ababa University. This comprehensive technology solution will enable the university to create smart classrooms, allowing for easy access to educational data, better implementation of lab inspections, administration of assessment tests, and instant correction and reporting of results.

According to the agreement, this Smart Campus Technology Solution is the first of its kind in the country, and it is expected to help the university create a globally competitive academic environment.

In the second partnership, Ethiotelecom has teamed up with the Black Lion General Specialty Hospital to facilitate digital payments for medical services through its Telebirr platform. This collaboration will allow patients to conveniently make payments for diagnostic, laboratory, pharmacy, surgical, and other related medical services, including for emergency, outpatient, and inpatient care.

The partnership is expected to benefit the hospital by modernizing its operations and reducing administrative costs associated with traditional payment methods.

Ethiotelecom’s strategic decisions to partner with Addis Ababa University and the Black Lion General Specialty Hospital demonstrate the company’s commitment to leveraging its technological capabilities to drive innovation and improve access to education and healthcare services in Ethiopia.

By implementing the Smart Campus Solution and enabling digital payments in the healthcare sector, Ethiotelecom is positioning itself as a key enabler of Ethiopia’s digital transformation, empowering educational institutions and healthcare providers to enhance their services and better serve the needs of the country’s citizens.

These partnerships are seen as significant steps towards creating a more technologically advanced and efficient education and healthcare ecosystem in Ethiopia, ultimately contributing to the overall development and progress of the nation.

Diageo has announced the launch of its inaugural “Learning for Life” hospitality training program in Ethiopia, aimed at unemployed youth aged 21-28 with formal training in accommodation. With a total cost of 2.7 million birr, the program successfully graduated 50 students at the pilot level, placing them in a three-month paid internship.

On June 27, 2024, Diageo celebrated the graduation of the program’s first class, aligning with the company’s 10-year plan to create a more inclusive and sustainable world. This initiative aims to showcase trainees’ skills to potential employers, promoting job retention and career growth.

Hailemelekot Mamo, Vice President of ET Holidays & Digital/GCIC, praised Diageo’s commitment to job creation in Ethiopia and encouraged graduates to pursue their passions in the tourism and hospitality sector. He emphasized the sector’s importance in creating job opportunities in the country.

Originally conceived in Latin America in 2008, the Learning for Life program has since expanded globally, impacting the lives of over 200,000 people. The program aims to improve employment prospects and livelihoods by providing essential business and hospitality skills.

Beyond the initial three-month period, Diageo plans to sustain the Learning for Life program through ongoing support, training, funding, partnerships, and program expansion. Diageo is committed to empowering individuals with critical business and hospitality qualifications, facilitating their integration into the workforce, and strengthening Ethiopia’s hospitality sector.

Through strategic collaboration with local educational institutions, governmental bodies, and industry stakeholders, Learning for Life aims to promote equitable access to opportunities, improve employment prospects, and contribute to broader economic growth.

A new report commissioned by the NGO DanChurchAid has found that integrating climate adaptation and development efforts is crucial for achieving sustainable progress, especially in vulnerable communities. The report, which analyzed case studies from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nepal, highlights several key lessons learned.

Firstly, the research shows that flexible funding is essential to enable projects that can contribute to both development goals and climate adaptation. “More flexible funding is needed to enable projects, which can contribute to both development goals and adaptation,” the report states.

Secondly, the report emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation to guard against the risk of maladaptation. Collaboration between local actors, climate experts, and others is vital to ensure adaptation measures are adequate and aligned with scientific climate scenarios.

Thirdly, the research underscores the criticality of local ownership to increase the chances for long-lasting effects. “Localization is essential for sustaining long-lasting effects and should be considered as a key component for sustainable success in adaptation and development projects,” the report notes.

DanChurchAid Secretary-General Jonas Vejsager Nødderkær said, “The findings from our research are clear. It is imperative that development and adaptation go hand in hand. Without this integration, we risk jeopardizing years of development efforts and vulnerable communities will be left worse off.”

The report also provides recommendations for scaling up projects that promote both adaptation and development, including mobilizing more funding, creating enabling political environments, and strengthening links to markets and private investments.

Additionally, the report emphasizes the need to integrate adaptation and development goals in national plans and strategies, as well as in the planning of individual organizations’ country programs and projects.

“Climate change is a global issue, but its impact is worsened in developing countries like ours,” said a project manager from the Rising project in Ethiopia. “The integration of climate adaptation and development projects provides for more effective and sustainable interventions.”

The report underscores the urgent need for governments, investors, and organizations to prioritize the integration of climate adaptation and development efforts to build resilience and secure sustainable progress, especially in the world’s most vulnerable communities.