The Kurmuk Gold Mine is rapidly emerging as a premier production engine for Canada-based Allied Gold Corporation, marking a transformative milestone for Ethiopia’s mining sector.

Located in the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, the flagship project has officially advanced into its critical commissioning phase after successfully connecting to the national electricity grid and feeding its very first ore through the crushing circuit.

Kurmuk Gold Mine Plc, the local operating subsidiary, has formally notified the Ministry of Mines that it anticipates conducting its historic first gold pour imminently during the ongoing hot commissioning and production testing window. While company executives emphasize that this initial pour is strictly part of testing and does not yet constitute the formal launch of commercial operations, the development signifies a monumental stride from construction toward active, large-scale production.

Project projections underscore the immense scale of the operation. Allied Gold anticipates that Kurmuk will yield between 240,000 and 270,000 ounces of gold during its inaugural full year, scaling up to approximately 300,000 ounces the following year. For its first four years, the asset is projected to sustain an average output of roughly 290,000 ounces annually. Supported by an initial strategic mine-life target of 15 years, the operation is anchored by 2.7 million ounces of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves from the Dish Mountain and Ashashire deposits.

Beyond immediate output, the broader economic implications for Ethiopia are profound. As the federal government actively pushes to attract foreign direct investment and boost vital foreign-exchange reserves, Kurmuk stands out as a cornerstone of these national economic ambitions. Access to reliable grid electricity and steady accumulations of ore stockpiles have paved the way for upcoming grinding circuit tests, bringing the facility closer to full capacity. Furthermore, Allied Gold controls a vast, highly prospective 1,450-square-kilometre surrounding land package, unlocking considerable long-term exploration potential designed to expand mineral inventories well beyond the current mine plan.

Kurmuk management has confirmed it will maintain close coordination with the Ministry of Mines and relevant regulatory authorities. Together, they will oversee all necessary frameworks governing gold verification, security, transportation, and eventual export.

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has announced a strategic partnership with CargoAi to further strengthen its digital operations. This collaboration introduces real-time rate visibility and advanced e-booking capabilities, creating a modernized and streamlined booking experience for international freight forwarders via CargoAi’s digital platform.

Through this comprehensive integration, more than 30,000 freight forwarders operating across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia will now have seamless access to Ethiopian Cargo’s extensive general cargo and express services.

Industry professionals can easily manage their logistics requirements by utilizing the CargoMART marketplace or by connecting directly through CargoCONNECT via leading Transportation Management Systems (TMS), according to information obtained by Capital.

Additionally, the partnership enables Ethiopian Cargo to fully leverage CargoAi’s advanced interline capabilities. This feature fosters more efficient and transparent collaboration with key airline partners through digital interline bookings and intelligent shared capacity management.

Dereje Derero, Managing Director of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, stated “Partnering with CargoAi allows us to bring our services closer to international freight forwarders by providing a modern and seamless booking experience.”

As a leading artificial intelligence company in the global air cargo sector, CargoAi deploys specialized AI tools within its extensive ecosystem designed to simplify and automate complex air cargo workflows.

Matthieu Petot, CEO of CargoAi, noted that this collaboration reflects a shared ambition to drive digital excellence. He added that the alliance empowers forwarders with competitive rates and instant access to available capacity, significantly strengthening Ethiopian Cargo’s digital visibility and market reach across critical international trade lanes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has successfully verified the Ethiopian National Emergency Medical Team (EMT), making it the first civilian EMT in the WHO African Region to attain international classification.

This achievement is the result of years of leadership, strategic investment, and partnership driven by the Government of Ethiopia through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), alongside technical support from the WHO and global partners.

The rigorous verification process confirmed that the team meets strict international standards across governance, clinical care, logistics, information management, infection prevention, and operational readiness.

“Today is the day our people ask: Are you there for us? Are you prepared for us?” said Dr. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health. “The successful WHO verification demonstrates our readiness to protect communities when emergencies strike.

Emergency Medical Teams consist of trained health professionals capable of rapidly deploying during natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and humanitarian crises to provide life-saving clinical care as self-sufficient units.

Dr. Mesay Hailu, Director General of the EPHI, emphasized that the recognition is a testament to rigorous, independent international evaluation. “This is not a recognition we claim for ourselves, but one earned through rigorous and independent international verification, moving us a concrete step closer to becoming a center of excellence.”

The timing aligns with a pivotal regional movement, as 30 African nations actively develop national EMT capacities under the Regional Framework on Emergency Medical Teams (2026–2030). Building on this momentum, Addis Ababa will host the 7th Global Emergency Medical Teams Meeting from November 3 to 5, 2026—marking the first time the global gathering takes place in the WHO African Region.