By our staff reporter

Jenboro Real Estate has announced its commitment to facilitating homeownership for Ethiopian diaspora residing across various countries. This initiative stems from a recent collaborative agreement reached with the Ethiopian Diaspora Association on January 11, 2024.

According to the agreement, Jenboro Real Estate is offering a special discount on housing for the diaspora community. Specifically, they have made available 100 houses in Bole Bulbula, which are currently 70 percent completed, as well as 400 houses in Kiru Apartment, a project set to be finished within three years. Kiru Apartment is located in Sarbet, a diplomatic quarter near the Vatican Embassy.

Established in 2001, the Ethiopian Diaspora Association has over 10,000 members residing in different countries. Over the past fifteen years, the association has served as a crucial link between the diaspora and the country, advocating for their interests and fostering connections. It is worth noting that the association is actively engaged in safeguarding the welfare of the diaspora across various spheres.

Jenboro Real Estate has already delivered three out of the six projects it has undertaken. The Kiru apartment complex, situated near the Vatican Embassy in Sarbet, presents an appealing option for Ethiopians seeking a refined and high-quality lifestyle. Spanning an area of 5,077 square meters, the Kiru project boasts 30 residential floors, seven parking floors, five floors dedicated to international brand shops, and 1,000 square meters of green space.

Having entered the real estate sector four years ago, primarily in Bole Bulbula, Jenboro Real Estate is presently engaged in the development of five projects in that area. Notably, the Kiru Apartments project is set to transform the vicinity near the Vatican Embassy in Sarbet, offering a distinct architectural presence.

By our staff reporter

Despite facing challenges, the global economy experienced steady growth in 2024. Joblessness and the jobs gap have both declined below pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the resilience of labor markets. However, the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024” report highlights concerns over rising social inequalities and stagnant productivity.

While economic conditions have deteriorated, labor markets have shown surprising resilience. Nevertheless, the recovery from the pandemic is uneven, and new vulnerabilities and multiple crises are undermining prospects for achieving greater social justice, according to the ILO report.

The report, “World Employment and Social Outlook Trends: 2024” (WESO Trends), reveals that Africa’s GDP growth is estimated to have reached 3.8 percent in 2022, following the disruptions caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. However, growth slowed to 3.1 percent in 2023 due to various factors, including the conflict in Ukraine and its impact on commodity markets.

A rebound to 3.8 percent growth is expected in 2024, driven in part by higher commodity prices benefiting exporters. However, there are downside risks, such as inflationary pressure, ongoing fluctuations in commodity prices, and tensions in the Middle East.

In North Africa, growth was lower at 2.7 percent in 2023 due to external shocks like drought and flooding. Recovery is projected at 3.5 percent in 2024 and 4.4 percent in 2025, although growth rates vary across the subregion.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s labor force has experienced significant growth, with an additional 53 million working-age individuals in 2023 compared to 2019. This labor force is expected to increase by another 14 million people in 2024.

The average unemployment rate in 2023 was 5.8 percent, slightly lower than the 5.9 percent in 2019, totaling 27 million people. However, youth unemployment remains higher at 8.9 percent, representing 9.4 million individuals, which puts them at risk of disillusionment and labor market detachment.

While job creation has kept pace with the expanding labor force, not all employment opportunities are decent and productive. Informal employment continues to dominate in Africa, accounting for 86.5 percent, underscoring the urgent need to improve job quality and reduce working poverty.

In 2022, approximately 60 percent of employed individuals were living in households below the international poverty threshold of US$3.65 per person per day in purchasing power parity terms, categorized as “moderately poor.” This percentage has decreased from 63.8 percent in 2013.

By our staff reporter

Dimitra, a prominent AgTech enterprise system based on blockchain technology, is partnering closely with the Limu Inara Multipurpose Cooperatives Union in Ethiopia. This union consists of approximately 51,000 farmers and together they aim to enhance farmers’ livelihoods and revolutionize agricultural practices in the region.

Tilahun Getachew, the Export Manager of Limu Inara Cooperatives Union, expresses enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating that they are excited to join forces with Dimitra Technologies. Their combined expertise will contribute to ongoing efforts to transform the lives of smallholder farmers by coordinating, organizing, and educating them on the production of sustainable, high-quality, and organic coffee for both local and international markets.

Through this partnership, Ethiopian coffee farmers affiliated with the Limu Inara Cooperative Union will have access to Dimitra’s cutting-edge technology, enabling them to modernize and digitize various agricultural processes. Specifically, they will leverage Dimitra’s Connected Coffee Platform and Deforestation Compliance Module.

Miftahu Jemal, the General Manager of Limu Inara Cooperatives Union, announces the strategic partnership between Limu Inara Cooperative Union and Dimitra Technologies after a general meeting. Both organizations are dedicated industry leaders committed to increasing crop yields, facilitating technology adoption, and improving education to enhance yield and product quality.

European Union coffee importers are reducing purchases from small Ethiopian farmers in anticipation of a groundbreaking EU law that will prohibit the sale of goods associated with deforestation. Dimitra’s Connected Coffee Platform and Deforestation Compliance Module offer a solution to ease the challenges and costs of complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The Connected Coffee solution enables real-time tracking and tracing of coffee beans at every stage of the supply chain. This feature is crucial for meeting EUDR requirements, as importers must digitally map their supply chains down to the specific plots where the raw materials were cultivated. Additionally, by utilizing Dimitra’s Deforestation Compliance Module, smallholder farmers can ensure adherence to the stringent EUDR standards. The platform incorporates satellite analysis, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and mobile technology, providing a comprehensive solution that allows farmers to demonstrate that their coffee is free from deforestation.

The ability to provide traceability and prove compliance with regulations adds significant value to coffee produced by Ethiopian farmers. This not only protects their market access within the EU but also opens up opportunities to access new markets that prioritize sustainably sourced products. Dimitra’s technology not only facilitates compliance but also empowers farmers by providing an efficient and technologically advanced means of tracing and verifying the origin of their coffee beans, aligning with evolving market demands.

By our staff reporter

The European Union has allocated a support package of 2.7 billion birr over a period of three years to Ethiopia. The program, funded with 43.5 million euros, aims to assist communities affected by conflict and natural disasters in the Afar, Amhara, Benshangul, Gumuz, and Tigray regions.

The European Union, in collaboration with partner institutions, has launched a three-year program to provide assistance to individuals displaced by conflict and natural disasters in various parts of Ethiopia. The European Union will contribute 40 million euros to the program, while the remaining funds will be provided by partner institutions.

The program will primarily focus on enhancing the livelihoods of displaced people in the Afar, Amhara, Benshangul Gumuz, and Tigray regions. It will include vocational training, the provision of financial services to communities, and the creation of employment opportunities.

The International Organization for Migration, GIZ, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and the Danish and Ethiopian Red Cross will collaborate in implementing the program.

The Disaster Risk Management Commission and the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia issued a joint statement, stating that over four million people in the country require assistance due to conflict, war, and climate change.

The program will prioritize areas most affected by conflict, with high concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) or returnees, and those in urgent need of access to basic services and livelihoods.

Roland Kobia, Ambassador of the European Union to Ethiopia, stated, “As a major international partner for Ethiopia, the EU remains committed to providing development support to all regions of Ethiopia during times of need. This program is a timely contribution to complement humanitarian aid and ensure that humanitarian, development, and peace efforts reinforce one another.”

The program aims to improve livelihoods through skills training and vocational education in agriculture and other sectors. It will also facilitate access to financial services and employment opportunities. Additionally, the program will support sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, including infrastructure rehabilitation/construction, effective management and maintenance of WASH facilities, capacity building, and improved hygiene and sanitation practices.