The Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) has announced expanded financial access for investors operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), a move aimed at boosting investment and enhancing competitiveness.

The reform is intended to improve service delivery and create a more enabling business environment within the zones.

A half-day consultation workshop was held to strengthen banking services and enhance coordination among investors, financial institutions, and relevant government entities operating in the SEZs.

Speaking at the event, IPDC Chief Officer for Operations and Park Management, Fitsum Ketema, said financial services in the zones had previously been limited to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, but are now open to all banks to improve access and competition.

He noted that the government has invested over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in developing the zones, which have attracted investments worth billions, contributing to foreign exchange generation, job creation, and technology transfer.

Fitsum added that the initiative aims to promote broader private sector participation across manufacturing, agriculture, trade, and services, while attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the development of economic clusters.

Ethiopia and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in investment and infrastructure development, as senior officials from both countries highlighted growing opportunities for deeper economic ties.

The Ethio-Italy Construction and Infrastructure Forum, convening high-level government officials and business leaders, is underway in Addis Ababa with the goal of enhancing collaboration in strategic sectors.

The opening session brought together key dignitaries, including Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, Irrigation and Lowlands Minister Abraham Belay, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie, State Minister for Urban and Infrastructure Development Yetimegeta Asrat, Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi, and Italy’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Sem Fabrizi, among others.

During the forum, officials emphasized the expanding potential for strategic partnerships, noting that strengthened collaboration could accelerate investment flows and infrastructure development in Ethiopia.

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide highlighted that ongoing macroeconomic reforms are creating a favorable environment for investment and sustainable growth. He noted that Ethiopia has embarked on comprehensive reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and enhancing private sector participation, while Italy’s bilateral and multilateral support has played a constructive role.

A home is the foundation on which we build our lives. It leads to better health, education and well-being, more economic growth and less poverty. Yet every day, 1 in 3 people around the world wake up without the security of a safe, decent home. The crisis is particularly acute in Africa, where an estimated 62% of urban dwellings are informal, putting millions of families at heightened risk from climate and economic shocks. 

Knowing the importance a home has on families and its impact on communities, Habitat for Humanity in Africa has joined hundreds of Habitat organizations and partners worldwide to launch the Let’s Open the Door campaign to bring awareness of the worldwide housing crisis and to rally people everywhere to take action. 

This year, Habitat for Humanity marks 50 years of bringing people together to build prosperous and healthy communities. Drawing upon this milestone, this global campaign supported by various partners will bring this urgency forward through pop-up installations, on-the-ground builds, and digital storytelling across more than 60 countries. This coordinated effort is designed to help ignite a global movement around an issue shaping health, equity and economic resilience. 

East African partner states and the Horn of Africa have called for harmonised labour agreements to promote skilled employment abroad, marking a shift from the region’s heavy reliance on exporting untrained casual labour. The consensus emerged during the 7th Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on Tuesday, with officials emphasising the need to secure better pay, protection, and dignity for migrant workers. … Migration experts raised concerns over increasing irregular migration facilitated by criminal networks exploiting porous borders. Lucy Daxbacher of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said human trafficking and migrant smuggling remain major threats. … Participants also highlighted the need to streamline migration systems, improve data collection, and strengthen identification frameworks to enhance governance. Monitor