The ongoing dispute between traders and the city administration regarding tax receipts at Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market, remains unresolved. The disagreement centers on the enforcement of tax regulations and the requirement for traders to issue receipts for their transactions.

Merkato, a bustling hub for commerce in Ethiopia, has seen a significant decline in business activity as traders respond to a mandatory directive from the city administration. Sources indicate that shops began closing and operating in shifts starting Monday, November 18, following the city’s insistence on compliance with tax regulations. While trading resumed on Thursday, it has been limited to morning and afternoon shifts.

A recent meeting between city officials and merchants ended without an agreement, leading to warnings that shops could be shut down if they remained closed. Traders expressed frustration over the government’s refusal to negotiate terms that would allow them to operate effectively. “We have not been able to reach a consensus on the issue for several days,” one trader stated, noting that the government’s stance has made it difficult for them to manage their inventory.

On November 20, 2024, the city administration reported that Merkato shops had returned to normal operations, but sales remained stagnant. Mayor Adanech Abebei addressed concerns regarding tax compliance during a recent city council meeting, stating that the administration is closely monitoring transactions at Merkato. “We have seen a lot of illegal practices in our process of charging taxes and issuing receipts,” she explained.

The situation has been further complicated by recent fires at Merkato, which have raised safety concerns among traders. A fire broke out last Sunday at the Jabulani building in the Dench Berenda area, causing significant damage. Few weeks back another fire occurred near the Shema Tera building, prompting the Addis Ababa Fire and Disaster Risk Management Commission to intervene.

In response to these incidents, the city administration announced it would provide 20 million birr to assist merchants affected by the fires. The funds are intended for temporary rehabilitation efforts while plans are developed for a more sustainable shopping center that addresses congestion and safety issues in the area.

The high cost of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services in Africa is a significant barrier to achieving meaningful change in the sector, according to a recent report. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) revealed that 63% of Africa’s population remains without internet access, with only about 37% enjoying connectivity. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for affordable ICT services across the continent.

During the 13th African Internet Governance Summit held at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA) in Ethiopia, experts called for the development of legal frameworks to address the challenges that have led to widespread exclusion from digital services. The summit, themed “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future,” brought together African parliamentarians, policymakers, and experts to discuss key issues affecting the continent’s digital landscape.

With over 800 million Africans currently offline, participants emphasized that robust laws and regulations are essential to facilitate digital development and ensure that all citizens can benefit from technological advancements. Mactar Seck, Head of the Technology and Innovation Sector at UN-ECA, highlighted the need to focus on reducing ICT service costs. “Compared to other regions, the fees for ICT services in Africa are prohibitively high,” he stated. “We must work on making these services more affordable.”

The summit also stressed the importance of creating regulatory and policy frameworks that support a secure and accessible internet. Participants advocated for empowering individuals and businesses in the digital economy through enhanced digital literacy and skill development, alongside strengthening reliable internet connectivity.

Belete Molla, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, emphasized the necessity of bolstering cybersecurity and data protection measures to ensure that African nations can fully leverage the benefits of digital technologies.

Negeri Lencho, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Resources and Technology Affairs of Ethiopia’s House of Peoples Representatives, noted that parliamentarians play a crucial role in establishing legal and regulatory frameworks. He underscored that these tools are vital for implementing programs and projects that can directly benefit communities across Africa.

The discussions at the summit reflect a growing recognition of the need for collaborative efforts among African nations to tackle the challenges posed by high ICT service costs. By working together to create an inclusive digital environment, African countries can unlock significant economic opportunities and improve overall quality of life for their citizens.

Ethiopia is taking significant steps to combat cervical cancer, a disease that claims the lives of more than 5,000 people annually in the country. In a bid to reduce these alarming statistics, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced the launch of a comprehensive HPV vaccination program, marking a pivotal milestone in the fight against cervical cancer.

Mekeds Daba Minister of Health stated, “Ethiopia is losing more than 5,000 people to cervical cancer every year,” emphasizing the urgent need for preventive measures. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the leading cause of cervical cancer and other related diseases, making its elimination a critical objective for public health in Ethiopia, especially given the heightened risk among women living with HIV.

Data indicates that women with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer, primarily due to HPV. This situation is particularly concerning as 90% of new cervical cancer cases and deaths worldwide occur in low- and middle-income countries.

The national vaccination campaign was officially launched at Tulu Dimtu No. 1 Primary School in Sheger City, Oromia Region. Dr. Netstanet Workneh, Head of the Oromia Health Office, announced that over 3.2 million girls in the Oromia region alone will be vaccinated as part of this year’s initiative.

Emily Kobayashi, head of the HPV vaccines program at GAVI, highlighted the importance of this vaccination effort for women’s health in Ethiopia. “The provision of the cervical cancer vaccine will ensure women’s health and safety,” she stated, noting that the vaccine can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancer cases.

The vaccination campaign will run from November 9 to 13 and aims to immunize over 7.5 million girls aged 9 to 14 across schools, health facilities, and public gatherings throughout Ethiopia.

The ADvTECH Group has announced the successful acquisition of a 100% interest in Flipper International School in Addis Ababa, for USD 7.5 million (approximately 900 million birr). This strategic move reinforces ADvTECH’s position as a leading provider of private education across the African continent.

With this acquisition, ADvTECH will add five schools and approximately 3,500 students to its international portfolio in one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. The deal was internally funded by ADvTECH, reflecting the group’s commitment to expanding its educational offerings.

Geoff Whyte, CEO of ADvTECH, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Flipper International School to the ADvTECH Group as we expand our presence across Africa and further cement our status as leaders in teaching and learning on the continent.”

Flipper International School, founded in 1998 by Menna Selamu and Serkaddis Seifu, is known for its academic excellence. In 2018, the founders sold an 85% stake to Tana Africa Capital and the Saham Group, who provided funding for enhancements in technology, academics, governance, and human resources. This investment has significantly contributed to the school’s growth over the past five years.

The school operates five campuses located in Beklobet and Summit areas of Addis Ababa, with a total capacity exceeding 3,500 students. As Ethiopia experiences rapid urbanization, the demand for quality private education has surged due to constraints within the public schooling system.

Whyte emphasized ADvTECH’s unique position to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives through education. “Flipper International School has always been a beacon of academic excellence in the region. We look forward to applying our resources and expertise to this school and taking it to even greater heights in the years to come,” he added.

Sharing their thoughts on the acquisition Menna and Serkaddis said “We are incredibly proud of what we have built at Flipper International School. Our mission has always been to be a beacon of academic excellence in the region. We are confident that ADvTECH’s expertise and resources will help the school further enhance the educational experience and growth opportunities for students and staff.”