Issue 109: Lucy & Taytu

Hi, 

Ministry of Labr Launches Three Digital Platforms

Last week, the Ministry of Labor and Skills unveiled three new digital tools aimed at streamlining labor market, enterprises, and competency assessment services. Developed in collaboration with relevant government bodies, these products—Lucy E-commerce, COC system, and Bequ Apps—are created using domestic resources.

According to the Ethiopian News Agency, Lucy E-commerce is anticipated to support the business activities of small and medium enterprises. The Bequ App aims to enhance information in the Ethiopian labor market, while the COC Automation system reinforces competency assessment services. Read more.

St. George Football Club Inks 25 Million Br Shirt Sponsorship Deal with Betting Firm Winner.et

St. George Football Club has signed a shirt sponsorship agreement with Winner.et an online sports betting and casino firm worth 25 million birr a year. Read more.

Authority Cracks Down on Gas Stations Over Use of Cash for Transactions

According to the Reporter, the Ethiopian Petroleum and Energy Authority has doubled down on administrative measures, suspending operations of 40 gas stations for a month and giving a final ultimatum to another 57 stations that were found selling fuel in cash outside the designated digital platforms. Read more.

Why Leaders Must Adapt for the Digital Era

In the past, leadership was mostly associated with being a strong leader. However, this definition of leadership has evolved over time, and the current era is shifting towards optimization through digital tools. Michael Tomas, an Associate Consultant at Shega Insights shares his thoughts. Read more.

Local Media Organization Introduces AI News Anchor

Amhara Media Corporation, a news organization owned by the Amhara Region government, has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) news anchor named Taytu. Read more.

The National Bank of Ethiopia to Explore the Potential of Central Bank Digital Currency

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has taken another step into the world of digital finance by announcing its exploration of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Read more.

M-PESA Transacts $287 Million in Three Months Since Launch in Ethiopia

Safaricom announced last week that its M-PESA services in Ethiopia have transacted $287 million (16 billion birr) within three months of its launch. Read more.

Report Finds Renewable Energy to Be the Least Popular Sector for Startups in Addis Ababa

A recent study that sheds light on the startup landscape in Addis Ababa has found that the renewable energy sector is the least popular area for startups in the capital. Read more.

Water Ministry to Tap into Digital System with the help of Ethio Telecom

The Minister of Water & Energy has formed a partnership with Ethio Telecom, to implement Smart Utility Solution.

Apart from digitizing water metering for customers, the strategic agreement primarily aims to digitize the data of the Ministry of Water and Energy and its affiliated institutions, using Ethio Telecom’s cloud infrastructure. Read more.

Microsoft, Gebeya Join Forces to Upskill 300,000 African Software Developers

Microsoft and Gebeya Inc., a pan-African SaaS-enabled tech talent marketplace, have partnered together to launch a new skills and job matching platform that aims to upskill 300,000 developers across Africa. Read more.