The Internet Society together with its partners conducted the first Ethiopia Internet Development conference that took place from 3-5 March 2020. The multi-stakeholder event aims to prepare the country for the new era of liberalized telecom sector and start developing the Internet ecosystem for the benefit of citizens and businesses alike.
Internet penetration in Ethiopia is currently 18.6 percent which is less than half the African average. Considering the country is one of the fastest growing economies in the region, holding a strategic geographic location and having a young population of over 105 million – more than 60% of whom are under the age of 30– connecting and expanding Internet access is a key part of Ethiopia’s Government Strategy to tackle a number of its acute problems such as youth unemployment.
While Internet penetration increasing about 45 percent annually, it has yet to catch up with its peer nations in Africa. The gaps in Ethiopia exist in large pockets of no network zones in rural areas and 4G is only available in the capital. Moreover, Ethiopians are not yet benefiting from the many Internet-related services that other countries have to develop their economies as well as to improve the lives their people.
The conference aims to create awareness amongst policy makers, regulators, businesses, technologists and potential entrepreneurs about the Internet model and technology and create the foundation for a robust Internet ecosystem in Ethiopia in this new post-monopoly era.
“With less than 20% of the population connected, Ethiopia has a tremendous opportunity to expand Internet access and to use it to improve the lives of its people. As one of the oldest nonprofit organizations dedicated to the Internet, we have a long history of working with governments and other partners to help bring connectivity and its benefits to countries around the world. We appreciate the support of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology in this event and look forward to working with them to help expand Internet access in Ethiopia for the benefit of its population, whether they are in big cities or in remote areas” said Dawit Bekele, Regional Vice President for Africa, Internet Society.
Ethiopia’s internet penetration less than half the African average
ESLSE to buy two vessels
The state owned Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE) is to buy two more vessels to fill the growing demand for dry bulk cargo.
At the beginning of second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) the multimodal monopoly that stated as the only African state owned commercial vessels operator has been targeted buying 15 new vessels including four Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessels at the cost of USD 80 million meanwhile the period will be ended in June 2020 without action.
It has been also stated that the procurement of the two RoRo vessels, which designed to carry automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on the wheels, was on the process.
Roba Megersa, CEO of ESLSE, told Capital that the enterprise has suspended the procurement of RoRo, while focusing to fill the growing demand for mid size vessels for dry bulk cargo.
“We are considering securing two 53000 DWT vessels to improve our operation on the dry cargo,” he said. DWT or Deadweight tonnage is a measure of how much weight a ship can carry.
He assured that the procurement will be held in the coming budget year. If ESLSE secured the purchase it will be the biggest vessel the country will own.
Currently most of vehicles are transported to Djibouti ports by slot carriers, and some vehicles are transported by Ethiopian vessels.
During the five years of the first GTP, ESLSE bought nine brand new vessels, including two oil tankers which were the first oil carrier ships owned by Ethiopia.
The purchase of the Chinese-made oil and multi-purpose cargo vessels, worth USD 293.5 million, was facilitated by the Export-Import Bank of China, which agreed to lend 80 percent of the cost.
The seven 28,000 ton duty multi-purpose vessels cost 32.5 million USD each while the two oil tankers cost USD 37 million each.
About 12 years prior, the enterprise also bought two multi-purpose vessels from China, ‘Shebelle’ and ‘Gibe,’ named after two rivers in Ethiopia. Meanwhile, the enterprise sold off two of its older vessels, ‘Abay Wonz’ and ‘Abyot,’ to the Metals and Engineering Corporation.
Currently ESLSE has 11 vessels overall, and the two oil tankers are leased to other shipping companies.
The enterprise travels to 327 seaports throughout the world.
The effects of the covid-19
UNCTAD published a technical note entitled Global trade impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Epidemic to evaluate the economic impacts.
Over the last two decades China become the world’s largest exporter and an integral part of global production networks. China has established itself as a key provider of inputs and components for many products, such as automobiles, cellphones, medical equipment, and more.
Over the last month, China has seen a dramatic reduction in its manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) to 37.5, its lowest reading since 2004. This drop implies a 2% reduction in output on an annual basis. This has come as a direct consequence of the spread of corona virus (COVID-19).
The 2% contraction in China’s output has ripple effects through the global economy and thus far has caused an estimated drop of about US$50 billion across countries. The most affected sectors include precision instruments, machinery, automotive and communication equipment.
Among the most affected economies are the European Union, USA, Japan, Republic of Korea and Vietnam.
Even if the outbreak of COVID-19 is contained mostly within China, the fact that Chinese suppliers are critical for many companies around the world implies that any disruption in China will be also felt outside the country’s borders, impacting European, American and East Asian regional value chains.
The estimated global effects are subject to change depending on the containment of the virus and or changes in the sources of supply.
COVID-19 Hits January Passenger Demand
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic data for January 2020 showing that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) climbed 2.4% compared to January 2019. This was down from 4.6% year-over-year growth for the prior month and is the lowest monthly increase since April 2010, at the time of the volcanic ash cloud crisis in Europe that led to massive airspace closures and flight cancellations. January capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 1.7%. Load factor climbed 0.6 percentage point to 80.3%.
“January was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the traffic impacts we are seeing owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, given that major travel restrictions in China did not begin until 23 January. Nevertheless, it was still enough to cause our slowest traffic growth in nearly a decade,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
January international passenger demand rose 2.5% compared to January 2019, down from 3.7% growth the previous month. With the exception of Latin America, all regions recorded increases, led by airlines in Africa and the Middle East that saw minimal impact from the COVID-19 outbreak in January. Capacity climbed 0.9%, and load factor rose 1.2 percentage points to 81.1%.
African airlines’ traffic climbed 5.3% in January, up slightly from 5.1% growth in December. Capacity rose 5.7%, however, and load factor slipped 0.3 percentage point to 70.5%.
Asia-Pacific airlines’ January traffic climbed 2.5% compared to the year-ago period, which was the slowest outcome since early 2013 and a decline from the 3.9% increase in December. Softer GDP growth in several of the region’s key economies was compounded by COVID-19 impacts on the international China market. Capacity rose 3.0% and load factor slid 0.4 percentage point to 81.6%.
“No Touching” – Rwanda PM issues new directives on Corona Virus
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente of Rwanda has issued directives aimed at averting a possible spread of the deadly New Coronavirus as the epidemic spreads to different African countries.
Rwanda has not registered a case of New Coronavirus but as the virus continues to be detected in different African countries, Rwanda is on high alert to ensure that the virus which has so far been detected in South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia does not reach Rwanda.
Rwanda has tightened measures to prevent Coronavirus, including setting up cameras at Kigali International Airport and all entry points as well as placing hand washing equipment and sanitizers in public places.
The Prime Minister’s directives are based on the findings of a taskforce set up to tighten the preparedness of the country to deal with a possible outbreak.
“In order to prevent and mitigate the risk of Coronavirus (Covid-19) transmission; The Government of Rwanda has set up a multidisciplinary team to assess and strengthen preparedness and response to the epidemic,” an announcement from the PM’s Office reads.
Togo confirms 1st coronavirus case
Country’s first COVID-19 patient is 42-year-old woman who recently travelled to France, Germany, and Turkey
The government of Togo confirmed the country’s first coronavirus case on Friday.
In a statement, the Togolese government said the patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was a woman, and recently travelled to Benin, France, Germany, and Turkey.
She returned to Togo from Benin by road and arrived in the capital Lome on March 2.
The statement said the 42-year-old patient was currently isolated at an infectious disease treatment center and there were no major concerns regarding her health.
Togo joins a growing list of African countries with coronavirus cases, which include Cameroon, Senegal, South Africa, Nigeria, and Algeria.
The new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, last December and has now spread to more than 80 countries.
The global death toll is nearing 3,500, with around 100,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO, which had declared the outbreak an international health emergency, recently updated the global risk level to “very high”.
South African first coronavirus case came via Dubai to Durban
South Africa’s first coronavirus case came from Italy via Dubai to the main airport in the eastern city of Durban, the health minister said on Friday.
Zweli Mkhize was briefing media in Hilton, the eastern South African town where the man with the virus is admitted to hospital after testing positive the day before. Mkhize was correcting earlier reports that the man had come through the main international airport in Johannesburg.
He added that there was currently no other South African coronavirus patient apart from the one reported already. The patient was a 38-year-old male who traveled to Italy with his wife, part of a group of 10 people and returned on March 1.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday warned that the virus would hurt travel and tourism, and have a negative impact on South Africa’s already struggling economy, but urged citizens not to panic.
Since the coronavirus outbreak began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, it has infected almost 100,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000, mostly in China.
Ethiopia ranked 12th in Travelers cool list 2020
Ethiopia is selected among one of the coolest place to be visited by the UK based National Geographic Traveler List 2020, highlighting the 20 must-see destinations for the year 2020.The list puts Ethiopia 12th among the world.
The list is posted in a joint collaboration of the editorial teams of National Geographic Traveler’s, 17 other international editions and globe-trotting experts who are entitled to report and pick the planet’s 20 most exciting destinations to see for the year 2020.
Ethiopia, Namibia and Egypt are included in the list among African countries in National Geographic published “Traveler’s Cool List” for 2020.
The selected destinations in the listed countries have a unique story to tell and Ethiopia, among others, offers tours aimed at shining a light on its striking traditions.
Travellers traditionally come to seek out the ancient rock churches of Gheralta and Lalibela, but several tour companies, including Wild Frontiers, are branching out to offer tours of the Omo Valley with visits to tribes including the Mursi, famous for their lip plates.
Growing faster than anywhere else in Africa, reads the article published by National Geographic, green, mountainous Ethiopia is one of the most exciting places to visit in Africa, if not the entire world.
Things continue to develop in Ethiopia and there are new tours, improved safety and tourism trade that’s essentially top the country reads the article.
However tourism experts criticize the government’s efforts in boosting the tourism and ask to invest more.
“Luck of effecting marketing, limited investment for the sector, weak development of destination areas is a few among many,” said Alemayehu Minwuylet, who teaches at Gonder University.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Ethiopia receives more than 1.2 million tourists annually generating more than 2.8 billion dollars.
According to Alemayehu, Ethiopia remains as an unknown tourist destination to travelers of the world despite the existence of many tangible and intangible heritage including historical sites, and he urges all stake holders pay due attention.
