The African continent is grappling with an unprecedented surge in mpox (monkeypox) cases since the start of 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated the outbreak response to the highest level, requiring organization-wide mobilization and scale-up.

According to the latest data, 15 African countries are currently reporting mpox outbreaks, with a total of 2,030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far this year. This marks a significant increase compared to the 1,145 cases and 7 deaths recorded in the whole of 2023.

The spread of the virus has expanded to include four countries – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda – that were previously unaffected by mpox. This rapid geographical expansion is a major concern for public health authorities in the region.

Notably, a new variant of the virus that emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in September 2023 is now circulating in the eastern part of the country and has been detected in neighboring Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.

“The priority is to rapidly interrupt the transmission of the virus,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We’re collaborating with partners in support of countries to reinforce outbreak control measures and ensure that communities are central to ongoing efforts to effectively end these outbreaks.”

WHO is working at the global, regional, and national levels to strengthen key response areas, including disease surveillance, diagnosis testing, clinical care, infection prevention and control, and community engagement. The organization is also mobilizing financial support to help countries effectively respond to the outbreak.

Efforts are underway to accelerate the availability of therapeutics and vaccines, with WHO advancing the process for Emergency Use Listing Procedure to expedite their use during this public health emergency.

Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The virus can also spread from person to person through close contact with bodily fluids, lesions, or contaminated objects. Treatment for mpox patients is primarily supportive, focusing on managing symptoms.

As the outbreak continues to evolve, the WHO and its partners are working closely with African countries to strengthen their response capacities and protect communities from the ongoing threat of mpox.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has denied a request from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to allow Ethiopian lawyers to fulfill their tax obligations without submitting the same detailed accounts required of traders. This decision has sparked controversy, as it imposes stringent tax requirements on legal professionals that many argue are impractical and unjust.

Lawyers in Addis Ababa, who make up the majority of the over 20,000 federal taxpayers in the legal sector, have raised concerns about the new tax procedures. The MoF insists that lawyers must adhere to the Income Tax Act, which mandates that they pay taxes based on their earnings without deductions for expenses—a requirement that lawyers argue is unfair compared to the accounting standards applied to traders.

The disagreement arose after the MoJ sent a letter to the MoF, highlighting the difficulties lawyers face under the current tax guidelines. The letter argued that the lack of detailed cost management guidelines for legal professionals makes it impossible for them to provide the type of accounts demanded of them. The MoJ requested that lawyers be allowed to continue paying taxes under the existing system until a new directive could be issued.

However, the MoF responded in a letter dated August 6, 2024, stating that the directive issued in September 2023 was only temporary and that lawyers must comply with the current tax regulations. The Ministry emphasized that the tax obligations for the 2024 fiscal year would be handled in accordance with the Income Tax Act, requiring lawyers to report and pay taxes on their full earnings without deductions for costs.

The MoF’s position has frustrated many in the legal community, who argue that this approach effectively forces them to pay 100 percent tax on their earnings. Unlike traders who can deduct the cost of goods sold from their taxable income, lawyers argue that they have no similar provision to account for their operational expenses.

The MoJ has previously engaged in discussions with relevant stakeholders to resolve ongoing disputes over the taxation of legal services. Despite these efforts, the 2024 fiscal year has begun without the issuance of a detailed directive that would address the concerns of the legal community. Lawyers now face the prospect of navigating the tax season under a system they view as inequitable and burdensome.

The MoJ had hoped to secure an interim solution that would allow lawyers to continue using the previous tax reporting methods until a more comprehensive guideline could be established. However, with the MoF’s rejection of this request, the legal sector must now comply with the existing tax framework, potentially leading to further disputes and dissatisfaction among lawyers across the country.

Ethiopia’s financial institutions are coming under scrutiny for failing to provide adequate support to the country’s youth, particularly in the face of soaring interest rates and stringent loan requirements. The challenges have made it increasingly difficult for unemployed youth to access the financing they need to organize and improve their socio-economic situation.

Experts have pointed out that the current financial landscape is not conducive to youth-friendly financial services. Existing institutions often impose restrictive terms on loan products, including high-interest rates, large collateral requirements, and limited loan amounts, which exclude many young people from the financial support they desperately need. 

In response to this, alternative solutions are being sought. One such initiative is the establishment of Youth Savings and Credit Cooperatives (Youth SACCOs), which aim to provide more accessible financial services tailored to the needs of young people. These cooperatives are youth-led, youth-owned, and youth-managed, offering a promising model for empowering the younger generation to take control of their financial futures.

The success of these cooperatives has been notable. For instance, the Youth SACCO branch in Adama, established only a few years ago, has made significant strides. The cooperative has provided 5.8 million Birr in loans to its 60 members and has already collected over 4.8 million Birr in the current fiscal year. This success story is inspiring many other unemployed citizens to join the movement and transform their lives through collective financial empowerment.

Youth unemployment in Ethiopia, particularly among those aged 15 to 24, remains a pressing issue, with the rate estimated to be around 5.58% in 2023. This demographic is particularly vulnerable to economic instability, and the lack of access to financing exacerbates their challenges.

To address this, significant initiatives have been launched. In March 2022, Amref Health Africa, in partnership with other organizations, introduced a five-year, $60 million integrated youth action program called ‘Kefta’. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the program is designed to benefit at least 2 million young people from various backgrounds across 18 metropolitan areas in Ethiopia.

A key component of the Kefta initiative is the provision of funding and low-interest loans to youth groups and coalitions. These cooperatives offer low-interest loans to young people who are looking to start or expand their businesses, providing a critical financial lifeline that traditional institutions have failed to offer.

Kefta Integrated Youth activity is a comprehensive project aimed at promoting the economic, civic, and social development of Ethiopia’s youth. Through partnerships with local civil society organizations and international agencies, the project seeks to empower young people to overcome the financial barriers that have long stifled their potential.

Despite these positive developments, the broader challenge remains: Ethiopia’s financial institutions must do more to support the nation’s youth. As the success of initiatives like Youth SACCOs and Kefta shows, there is a pressing need for more inclusive and accessible financial services that cater to the unique needs of young people. Without these changes, a significant portion of Ethiopia’s population may continue to struggle to achieve economic stability and personal growth.

Ethiopian Airlines has entered into a monumental $6 billion agreement with DAR, a global consulting company, to design and construct the largest airline hub in Africa. The new mega airport will be situated near Bishoftu, Oromia, covering an expansive area of 35 square kilometers and featuring a terminal capable of accommodating more than 270 aircraft.

The partnership was officially announced on August 9, 2024, during a signing ceremony held at the Sky Light Hotel in Addis Ababa. The agreement was inked by Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Group, and Tariq Naji Al-Qani, Director of Operations at Dar Al-Handasah, a Dubai-based consulting firm.

Mesfin Tasew expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are thrilled to have signed this agreement with DAR to develop a new mega airport at Bishoftu Abu Sera. This is a significant milestone for Ethiopian Airlines as we continue to expand our operations and cement our position as a leading airline in Africa.”

The ambitious project will be completed in two phases, with the first phase alone requiring an estimated $6 billion. The first phase is set to include the construction of airport facilities with a capacity to handle 60 million passengers annually. Upon completion of the second phase, the airport’s capacity will expand to accommodate over 100 million passengers per year, solidifying its status as the largest airport on the continent.

The construction is expected to take five years, with the initial year dedicated to finalizing the detailed design and selecting contractors. DAR, known for its extensive experience in airport construction around the world, will oversee the entire process, from design to completion.

“This agreement also includes supervision of the construction work from start to finish,” Mesfin added, emphasizing the significance of DAR’s role in ensuring the successful execution of the project.

The new mega airport is poised to become a pivotal hub for African and international air travel, enhancing Ethiopia’s position as a key player in the global aviation industry.