The Ethiopia Onchocerciasis Elimination Expert Advisory Committee (EOEEAC), during its 8th annual meeting held virtually from October 26-28, 2021, recommended second area where drug distribution could be stopped in Ethiopia, this time in Oromia region (Tiro Afeta, Chora Botor and Limu Kosa districts). Serological blood tests in humans and examination of black flies for parasites showed no significant infections and were below the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off. The Ministry of Health (MoH) accepted the EOEEAC recommendation, and, as a result, 508,000 people no longer need mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin. These three districts now enter the next and very important phase of post-treatment surveillance (PTS) for 3-5 years to be sure that the infection does not recur. During the PTS period, health education, advocacy, and surveillance activities will continue; if there is no evidence of recrudescence or reinfection, these areas will move to the post-elimination surveillance (PES) phase.
Ethiopia declared its first major success against river blindness in Amhara, where it was possible to stop drug distribution in six districts in the cross border Metema-Galabat focus in 2018. This coordinated cross-border collaboration between Ethiopia and Sudan has freed over one million people from risk of onchocerciasis since 2018 (the countries’ Metema-Galabat announcements are hyperlinked, respectively).
Ethiopia interrupted river blindness transmission in three more districts
Five million doses of vaccines committed by China to Ethiopia
To date, China has delivered and been committed to donating five million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Ethiopia, while facilitating Ethiopia’s procurement of vaccines from China. Meanwhile, China has donated nearly 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Ethiopia through COVAX.
On 29th November, at the 8th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in Senegal, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Africa to fight COVID-19 with solidarity and implement the medical and health program, among others, to build a China-Africa Community with a shared future in the new era. President Xi Jinping also announced that China would provide another one billion doses of vaccines to Africa.
China always honors its promises and walks the talk. In light of the surging pandemic wave in Ethiopia, China has moved even faster to implement President Xi Jinping’s pledge. Within weeks, million doses of Chinese vaccines will be delivered to the Ethiopian brothers. It demonstrates that China is turning its commitments into visible and tangible outcomes.
KEFI Minerals secures additional 800 million birr
KEFI shareholders announced that they will allocate an additional 800 million birr for developmental projects including the launch of Tulu Kapi. Planned to be as soon as the security situation allows, which is expected to be in early 2022.
In addition to the Tulu Kapi launch it will also be allocated for KEFI’s two other development projects in Saudi Arabia, Hawaii Copper & Gold and Jibal Qutman Gold.
According to the announcement by KEFI Gold and Copper plc the ultimate parent company of Tulu Kapi Gold Mines S.C and KEFI Minerals Ethiopia Limited, this is a small two-stage capital raising from its 5,000 shareholders on the London Stock Exchange of £13 million (US$18 million or 800 million Ethiopian Birr)
Ethiopian Airlines partners with utu
Ethiopian Airlines announced it is partnering with utu to provide more choice and value to travellers eligible for tax refunds as part of the biggest upheaval in the history of tax-free shopping. From December 16, 2021 passengers registered with Ethiopian’s ShebaMiles loyalty scheme will be able to supersize tax refunds – even when not travelling with the carrier – with a dramatic 25% uplift in loyalty scheme rewards.
Travellers access the uplift simply by using the new utu Tax Free Card in the utu Tax Free app when they make a tax-free purchase. utu provides a simple way to process tax refunds on purchases made abroad and convert them into ShebaMiles.
Ethiopian Airlines is the latest major carrier to join utu’s new service, which aims to revolutionize tax-free shopping. Travellers purchasing tax-free with the utu card gain a greater choice of rewards, an easier, more convenient reward claiming process, and significantly greater value in terms of reward points collected.
