Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia has commenced the installation of a new fibre optic network connecting Afdera to Mekelle, a move designed to bolster network resilience and accommodate increasing data needs in the region.

The project was officially launched in a ceremony attended by officials from the Afar Regional Administration, including Deputy Commissioner for Disaster and Risk Management, Mr. Ali Mohammed.

In line with its long-standing approach to infrastructure development combined with community support, Safaricom Ethiopia also provided emergency relief aid to residents affected by recent flooding in Afdera. The donation, valued at 500,000 Birr, included 1,000 square meters of tenting material, 200 litters of edible oil, 500 kilograms of rice, and 500 kilograms of white flour, aimed at assisting vulnerable communities during their recovery.

Deputy Commissioner Ali Mohammed praised the company’s efforts, emphasising the importance of both improved connectivity and community resilience. Safaricom Ethiopia reaffirmed its dedication to expanding digital infrastructure nationwide while actively supporting communities facing environmental challenges, reflecting its commitment to fostering inclusive growth across Ethiopia.

(African Wireless Communication)

Askari Metals Fast-Tracks Ethiopian Gold Project

Askari Metals is set to accelerate exploration activities at its Nejo gold and copper project in Ethiopia, following a successful desktop study. Askari Metals is an Australian-based company focused on discovering and developing economically viable mineral resources. The company has projects in Australia, and now in Africa, targeting gold, copper, and lithium.

The company acquired the Nejo project in early July for USD 200,000 cash, USD 200,000 in shares, and 20 million unlisted options. Shortly after, Askari identified significant copper potential at the Katta target, including high-grade mineralisation of 14.33 metres at 3.2 percent copper and 35.51m at 0.82 percent copper.

Askari is preparing to launch a regional exploration program, with a field team of specialists set to undertake an initial reconnaissance. The focus will be on high-grade shallow gold mineralisation across the Guliso and Guji-Gudeya trends. The Guliso trend features a continuous strike of approximately 10km, open to the north-east and south-west, while Guji-Gudeya has a continuous strike of approximately 9km.

Executive Director Gino D’Anna stated that the fieldwork will validate and expand upon historical exploration to unlock the potential of the Nejo project. He added that the program lays the foundation for a drilling campaign planned to commence in Q4 of 2025, prioritising high-impact, drill-ready targets while also advancing follow-up work at other zones. Askari is also designing a separate exploration program to test the high-grade copper mineralisation at the Katta target, with the goal of establishing Askari Metals as a leading gold and copper developer in Africa.

(Share cafe)

Ethiopia digitizes over 900 public services as digital govt strategy makes progress

Digital transformation in Ethiopia is on steady progress as the government has announced that more than 900 public services can now be accessed digitally. This milestone is one of the fruits of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy implementation, ENA reports.

The outlet quotes a senior official in the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Seyoum Mengesha, as stating recently that Ethiopia’s digital transformation progress is reflected in the building of the three core components of digital public infrastructure (DPI).

The executive mentioned advancements recorded in the implementation of the Fayda digital ID, a digital payments system, and data interoperability infrastructure, all aimed at facilitating the delivery of services in multiple sectors. This progress is largely attributed to two World Bank-funded projects which are aimed at enhancing Ethiopia’s digital transformation pursuits.

Digital government services can now be accessed via the one-stop-shop platform MESOB which was rolled out nationwide in June. This came after a pilot which was said to be highly successful.

According to Mengesha, efforts have also been made by the country to expand digital connectivity infrastructure including the construction of modern data centers of international standards. These and other infrastructure, he said, have contributed to rendering public service delivery in the country seamless.

The Fayda ID is particularly hailed as the foundational pillar of a new Ethiopia Digital Government Strategy 2025-2030. As of July 29, the digital ID has been issued to 20.8 million people.

Ethio Telecom, the country’s main telecommunications company, has also made substantial contributions to the country’s digital transformation. Its CEO, Frehiwot Tamiru, told ENA of the company’s efforts to expand connectivity services through the deployment of 4G network to 16 cities and 5G services to over 500 towns and cities, reaching a combined 83 million Ethiopians.

As part of the digital transformation drive, efforts have also been made in digitizing procurement and property administration processes, the Director General of the Federal Public Procurement and Property Authority (FPPA), Meseret Meskele, is quoted as saying.

Last year, a GSMA report hailed Ethiopia’s digital transformation efforts, citing the digital economy as a major contributor to the country’s GDP growth. It said this could bring up to $10.8 billion to Ethiopia’s economy by 2028, thanks to an expected boom in mobile connectivity especially for sectors like agriculture.

The report also recommended that for the country to keep its digital transformation journey on the right rails, it must implement measures to enhance service and device affordability, reform the telecoms sector, expand mobile money services and increase digital skills and further digitize government services.

(Biometric Update)

Ethiopia’s garment sector sees 70% surge in women leaders

A flagship initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Women Leadership Development Programme (WLDP) has significantly expanded opportunities for women in Ethiopia’s garment industry by equipping workers with essential leadership skills, mentorship, and factory-level coaching. Since its launch in 2021 under Better Work Ethiopia, the programme has helped women ascend into supervisory and mid-level roles, driving measurable improvements in workplace equality and factory performance.

Moreover, it has also benefited senior supervisors, with ten out of 178 mentors achieving promotions to middle-level leadership.

The WLDP employs a multifaceted training approach that includes classroom instruction, practical exercises, and consistent mentorship.

The training has equipped women workers with essential skills such as decision-making, conflict resolution, communication, influencing, problem-solving, and planning.

Factories participating in the programme have observed enhancements in line efficiency and product quality, coupled with a decrease in absenteeism, Better Work stated.

Azeb Abraham, an industrial engineering executive at JP Garment, said: “Before the training, I struggled with communication and lacked self-confidence. After completing the ILO’s Leadership and Technical Skills training, I now take the lead, communicate clearly, and lead my team with confidence.”

The WLDP concluded in May 2025 as a flagship element of the ILO’s Better Work programme aimed at fostering better employment conditions and more equitable workplaces within Ethiopia’s industrial parks.

The initiative also included factory-level coaching and mentorship by preparing mentors, often senior supervisors and HR professionals.

Building upon these achievements, plans are underway to establish a Women Leaders Network in the cities of Hawassa and Addis Ababa.

This network will unite WLDP graduates from the Hawassa and Bole Lemi Industrial Parks to facilitate mentorship, enhance visibility for women leaders, promote inter-factory collaboration, and support women’s career progression and leadership development.

The WLDP is also expanding into horticulture and is partnering with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry to implement similar leadership development programmes in eight additional enterprises, seven of which are owned by women.

ILO Better Work Ethiopia team leader Tigist Fisseha said: “The impact of the WLDP is both measurable and deeply personal. We are not only increasing productivity on the factory floor, but helping women unlock their full leadership potential —transforming lives, workplaces, and communities.”

Training is currently underway for the fifth round of the programme.

(MSN)

“Ethiopia’s garment sector sees 70% surge in women leaders” was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.