The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (Addis Chamber) has expressed its desire to join the Ethiopian People’s Representative Council and the African Union. Mesenbet Shenkute, President of the Addis Chamber, highlighted the international nature of the chamber’s activities and its involvement in African issues and the domestic private sector, emphasizing the importance of representation in these key bodies to better support the sector. Shenkute pointed to the positive example set by Kenyan parliament members in supporting their country’s manufacturing association, citing collaborative efforts during the Ethio-Kenya trade and investment mission held in Addis Ababa. The Addis Chamber advocates for government policy changes to facilitate business operations but acknowledges the need for further engagement. The involvement of Kenyan parliament members in supporting the manufacturing sector underscores the potential benefits of similar collaboration in Ethiopia. The Addis Chamber aims to secure parliamentary and AU seats to strengthen economic diplomacy between Ethiopia and Kenya and enhance bilateral cooperation. Despite existing agreements, economic and trade relations between the two countries require further development to realize their full potential.

The Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) has highlighted the challenges faced by Ethiopian workers, citing their inability to meet basic living expenses with their current salaries. Despite repeated appeals to the government, these concerns have yet to be addressed.

In a recent statement, CETU emphasized the urgent need for government intervention, particularly in reducing income tax to alleviate the financial burden on workers. The union urged the government to prioritize this issue and take decisive action following collaborative discussions.

While legislation such as the Labor Affairs Act mandates the establishment of a wage board to set minimum wage standards, CETU noted that practical implementation has been lacking due to the absence of regulatory enactment by the Council of Ministers.

Additionally, CETU emphasized the importance of enforcing laws related to occupational safety and health in the workplace. They highlighted instances where employers neglect these regulations, leading to serious injuries and fatalities among workers. Urgent action is required to ensure compliance with these laws and safeguard the well-being of employees.

As Ethiopia commemorated the 135th International Workers’ Day, CETU reiterated its commitment to advocating for the rights and livelihoods of workers, emphasizing the collective role in fostering peace and prosperity within the nation.

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and MasterCard have inked a five-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at propelling efforts towards a cashless society in the coming years.

The agreement, signed on May 2, 2024, at the CBE headquarters, marks a significant step towards expanding card banking services domestically and internationally. Additionally, it is poised to facilitate the introduction of new card services.

With this five-year collaboration, both parties are poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s journey towards a cashless economy. The focus will be on addressing the evolving needs of the bank’s clientele while introducing cutting-edge services that align with global standards.

MasterCard, an esteemed international payment facilitator operating in over 210 countries, has a longstanding partnership with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, marking this agreement as a continuation of their fruitful collaboration.

Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, the premier event for the construction industry, is set to return for its second edition, reaffirming the continued growth and potential in Ethiopia’s construction sector. The event, which is endorsed by Ethiopia’s Ministry for Urban and Infrastructure, aims to connect 150 local and international exhibitors with over 9,000 construction professionals and potential buyers.

Ethiopia’s economy has been experiencing significant growth driven by investments, manufacturing, industrial development, and exports, with a particular focus on the construction sector, which is valued at $41 billion, according to ABiQ. To capitalize on the opportunities generated by these sectors, the second edition of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia will take place at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa from May 30 to June 1, 2024.

“Ethiopia is currently witnessing major construction and infrastructure projects, indicating a vibrant built environment. Big 5 Construct Ethiopia aims to bring together the entire construction value chain, showcasing the expertise of regional and international companies and tapping into the diverse opportunities available in the country,” said Ben Greenish, Senior Vice President – Construction at dmg events.

The event caters to a wide range of professionals in the industry, including contractors, developers, consultants, architects, project managers, civil engineers, designers, urban planners, sustainability engineers, and procurement managers. With over 9,000 attendees expected this year, Big 5 Construct Ethiopia provides a platform for networking, business facilitation, and support for the industry as it aligns with Ethiopia’s ambitious Vision 2025 goals.

Endorsed by Ethiopia’s Ministry for Urban and Infrastructure, the event will feature 150 exhibitors from 19 countries. Among the exhibitors are prominent industry players such as Jotun Paints, a specialist in paint and coatings; EJOT from Germany, a fastener manufacturer; Bostik, a France-based manufacturer and distributor of sealants; Araib Factory for Industry, a plastics manufacturer from Saudi Arabia, and Roofings Middle East, a leading fabricator of pre-engineered steel buildings and cladding products from the UAE.

Tariq Al-Qanni, Director of Operations at Dar Al-Handash Consultants, a consulting firm specializing in engineering, architecture, planning, and project management, and the Gold Sponsor of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, expressed their excitement about participating in the event and sharing their expertise and experience in implementing digital technologies and innovative design and construction practices.

The event will also feature country pavilions showcasing the latest construction trends from Ethiopia, Italy, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 22 Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-certified industry talks, covering topics such as sustainability, project management, technology, engineering, architecture, design, and the introduction of infrastructure as a new theme.

Big 5 Construct Ethiopia is supported by the Ethiopia Construction Works Corporation (ECWC). Engineer Yonas Ayalew, Chief Executive Officer of ECWC, emphasized the significance of the event in bringing together exhibitors and visitors from around the globe to share experiences, expand marketing networks, and promote the value chain of the construction industry.

Other associations supporting the event include the Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers, Chartered Institute of Building, and the Project Management Institute Ethiopia.

“Events like Big 5 Construct Ethiopia attract global enterprises to our shores, offering not just products and services but a shared vision to shape the future of Ethiopia’s construction sector through business growth,” concluded Greenish.