TECNO Mobile Ethiopia Unveils the SPARK 20 Pro+ and SPARK 20 Series Limited Edition

TECNO Mobile Ethiopia Unveils the SPARK 20 Pro+ and SPARK 20 Series Limited Edition unveiling in Celebration of the African Cup of Nations, SPARK 20 Pro+ brings elevated design and technologies to the popular SPARK 20 Series. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia January 20, 2024: Innovative technology brand TECNO today unveiled its latest SPARK 20 series model at a grand event in Addis Ababa attended by TECNO Mobile Ethiopia executives, Senior representatives of the Ethiopian Football community, and key stakeholders. As the official mobile phone sponsor of the Africa Cup of Nations 2024, TECNO also unveiled the SPARK 20 pro+ Series Limited Edition during the ongoing AFCON tournaments. In addition to showcasing the power of top-level sports and cutting-edge technology to spark unforgettable moments, the event also celebrated the iconic continental football competition as well as honored some of the most iconic Ethiopian football personalities who made history with their role in the nation’s participation in past AFCON tournaments. As a series designed for Gen Z and young consumers, SPARK has consistently positioned itself with a focus on trendy design and appearance, rich camera functionality and outstanding all-round performance to enhance every aspect of the user experience. The brand-new SPARK 20 Series represents an unprecedented upgrade to the SPARK Series with more powerful camera systems, distinguished design, and ultimate performance, setting a new standard for flagship-level excellence in its price range. The limited-edition SPARK 20 Pro plus is equipped with a 108MP camera to deliver incredible image quality, significantly upgraded from the previous SPARK 10 Pro’s 50MP camera, making it one of the most powerful imaging phones in the same price segment. Its front camera supports a 32MP Glowing Selfie, powered by AI portrait restoration and an expansive 88.9° golden lens that ensures excellent selfies whether solo or surrounded by friends, day or night. Additionally, its futuristic Euler’s Deco Design draws inspiration from the stars, featuring sleek metal edges that blend with a three-ring cosmic deco. Powered by the MediaTek G99 Ultra Boost Processor, the SPARK 20 Pro plus meets the high expectations and varied needs of young consumers, while also offering a massive memory of up to 256GB ROM and 16GB RAM (8GB+8GB extended) to save all the wonderful memories. The device is available in four colors, namely Moonlit Black, Frosty Ivory, Sunset Blush, and Magic Skin 2.0 Green. Building on the success of SPARK 20 and SPARK 20 Pro, the SPARK 20 Pro+ boasts a 108MP high-resolution photography system, curved design, and impressive performance. Among other enhancements, SPARK 20 Pro+ will feature design upgrades including a Main Body Design: Featuring an industry-leading 56.5° Ergonomic Double Curved Design, providing a slimline look and a comfortable grip, Rear Camera Module Design: Introducing an all-new Quadrant Star Array camera module design with multiple upgrades in photography and videography functionalities and a Screen and Display Featuring a 120Hz curved AMOLED screen with 1000-nit peak brightness for stand-out cinematic visuals. As the newest evolution of the outstanding SPARK 20 Series, SPARK 20 Pro+ elevates the series’ design language with sleek, cutting-edge aesthetics. Embracing a youthful, vibrant energy, the upgraded device sets a new standard for style in its price bracket. Besides design highlights, the full range of SPARK 20 Pro+’s impressive capabilities, such as its 108MP+32MP camera system, powerful MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate processor, refined OS based on Android 14, dual-mic noise canceled calls, and more, will be unveiled during the device’s official release. -END- About TECNO TECNO is an innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 countries and regions across five continents. Since its launch, TECNO has been revolutionizing the digital experience in emerging global markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies. Today, TECNO has developed into a recognized leader in its target markets, delivering state-of-the-art innovation through a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best and newest technologies for forward-looking individuals. By creating stylish, intelligent products, TECNO inspires consumers worldwide to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com ቴክኖሞባይልአዲሱን እና ዘመናዊ የስፓርክ 20 ፕሮ ፕላስ (Spark Pro+) እና ስፓርክ ሲሪስ (Spark Series) የሞባይል ሞዴል በደማቅ ዝግጅት በኢትዮጵያ አስተዋወቀ። ጥር 2016 ዓ.ም አዲስ አበባ ፣ ኢትዮጵያ : የሞባይል ቴክኖሎጂ ብራንዶች አምራች የሆነው እና ከ70 በላይ ሀገራት ምርቶቹን በስፋት የሚያቀርበው ቴክኖ ሞባይል በዛሬው ዕለት አዲሱ ምርት የሆነውን ስፓርክ 20 ፕሮ ፕላስ (Spark 20 Pro+) የተሰኘ  በዘመናዊ ቴክኖሎጂ የተራቀቀ፣ እጅግ ከፍተኛ የካሜራ ጥራትና የፕሮሰሰር አቅም፣ ለረጅም ጊዜ መቆየት የሚችል ባትሪ፣ ማራኪ ቅርጽ እና ውበት ያለው የመጨረሻው የቴክኖሎጂ ውጤት የያዘውን እንዲሁም ደንበኞች የላቀ የአገልግሎት ተሞክሮ እንዲኖራቸው የሚያስችለውን የስማርት ሞባይል ስልክ ሞዴል  በአዲስ አበባ ፍሬንድሽፕ ፓርክ ልዩ እና ደማቅ በሆነ ዝግጅት  አስተዋወቀ። ቴክኖ ሞባይል አዲሱን ስፓርክ ፕሮ ፕላስ ሞዴል በዛሬው እለት በይፋ ያስተዋወቀበትን ልዩ ዝግጅት የመንግስት ባለስልጣናት፣  የቴክኖ ሞባይል ኢትዮጵያ ከፍተኛ አመራሮች፣ የኢትዮጲያ አንጋፋ የእግር ተጫዋቾች እና አመራሮች እንዲሁም የስፖርቱ ቤተሰብ የታደሙ ሲሆን በኢትዮጲያ የስፖርቱ ዘርፍ እድገት እና የአፍሪካ እግር ኳስ ዋንጫ ተሳትሮ እውን እንዲሆን ከፍተኛ ሚና የነበራቸውን የቀድሞ የኢትዮጲያ ብሔራዊ ቡድን ተጫዋጮች፣ አሰልጣኞች እና የስፖርት ጋዜጠኞችን የማመስገኛ መርሃግበር ያካተተም ነበር። በስፖርቱ አለም ተውዳጅ ከሚባሉት ዝግጅቶች አንዱ የሆነውን የአፍሪካ ዋንጫ የእግር ኳስ ውድድር ይፋዊ ስፖንሰር የሆነው ቴክኖ ሞባይል ይህን አዲሱን የሞባይል ሞዴል ከዚሁ የአህጉራዊ ስፖርት መረሀግብር ጋር በማስተሳሰር ቴክኖሎጂ እና ስፖርቱ ያጣመረ የማስተዋወቅ ልዩ ልዩ እንቅስቃሴዎችን በተለያዩ የአፍሪካ ሀገራት እያከናወነ ይገኛል። ቴክኖሎጂን ያለ ልዩነት ለሁሉም በጥራት ለማዳረስ እየሰራ የሚገኘው ቴክኖ ሞባይል የአዲሱን ትውልድ የቴክኖሎጂ ተጠቃሚነት ፍሎጎት ለሟሟላት እና ዘመኑ የደረሰበትን የተራቀቀ የምርት ዘዴዎችን በመጠቀም በሚያመርታቸው ተወዳጅ የሞባይል ሞዴሎች ኢትዮጵያን ጨምሮ በተለያዩ የአፍሪካ ሀገራት የቴክኖሎጂ ሽፋን ተደራሽ ለማድረግ የተያዘውን አላማ በመደገፍ መጠነ ሰፊ ስራዎችን ሲተገብር እንደቆየ የሚታወቅ ነው። ላለፉት አመታት በአዳዲስ እና ዘመናዊ የቴክኖሎጂ ውጤቶች በመታገዝ ለአለም ገበያ የሚያቀርባቸው የሞባይል ሞዴሎች አንዱ የሆነው እና የተጠቃሚዎች ፍላጎት በማሟላት በደንበኞቹ ዘንድ ተወዳጅነትን ያፈራው ስፓርክ ሲሪየስ ሞዴል በእጅጉ ተሻሽሎ ከቴክኖ ሞባይል ቀርባል። አዲሱ ስፓርክ 20 ፕሮ ፕላስ ሞዴል በ108 ሜጋ ፒክስል አልትራ ሴንሴቲቭ (ultra-sensitive) የካሜራ ጥራት የተገጠመለት ሲሆን በ ኤ.አይ (AI) ሲስተም በመታገዝ በየትኛውም አይነት የብርሀን መጠን በምሽት ሆነ በቀን ጥርት ያሉ ፎቶዎችን ማንሳት ያስችላል። በከፍተኛ ፍጥነት የተለያዩ መተግበሪያዎችን ያለእንክን እንዲያስተናግድ የሚያስችለው (G99 ultra boost) የተሰኘ ፕሮሰሰር ያለው መሆኑ እና 6.78 ኢንች አሞሌድ ስክሪን በ120Hz ሪፍሬሽ ሬት የሆነው ስፓርክ 20 ፕሮ ፕላስ ሲጠቀሙበት ያለምንም እንከን በቅልጥፍና አንዲያገለግል ያደርገዋል፣ የሞዴሉንም የመያዝ አቅሙን በመጨመር 256 ጂቢ ሚሞሪ በ16 ጂቢ ራም ጋር የቀረበ ሲሆን 5000 mAh አቅም ያለው ባትሪ ከ33W ሱፐር ቻርጅንግ ሲስተም ያለው ሲሆን በአጭር ጊዜ 100% ባትሪ ቻርጅ ማድረግ አቅም ያለው የስልክ ሞዴል ነው። በዚህ በምረቃ ወቅት ንግግር የደረጉት  የቴክኖ ሞባይል ኢትዮጲያ ብራንድ ማኔጀር አቶ ኤሊክ ኋንግ በመክፈቻ ንግግራቸው እንደጠቀሱት ‘’ይህ በላቀ ቴክኖሎጂ በልዩ መልክ የተመረተውን አዲሱ (spark 20 pro+) በዚህ አህጉራዊ ውድድር ወቅት በማስተዋወቃችን ኩራት ይሰማናል። በኢትዮጲያ ብሎም በአፍሪካ እየጨመረ የመጣውን የቴክኖሎጂ ፍላጎት አለም ከደረሰመት የስማርት ስልክ ቴክኖሎጂ ጋር በማጣመር የአህጉሪቷን እድገት ለማፋጠን ለሚደረገው ርብርብ የሚጫወተው ሚና ከፍተኛ እንደሚሆን አንጠራጠርም። ከዚም በተጨማሪ ድርጅታችን ቴክኖ ሞባይል ተወዳጅ የሆነውን አዲሱን ስፓርክ (spark 20 pro+) ስልክ ከማስተዋወቅ ባለፈ የብዙ እግር ኳስ ከዋክብት መፍለቅያ በሆነችው አፍሪካ የ2024ቱን የአፍሪካ የእግር ኳስ ዋንጫ ይፋዊ ስፖንሰር በመሆኑ ደስታችን ላቅ ያለነው።’’ ቴክኖ ሞባይል ዘመኑ የደረሰበት የቴክኖሎጂ ውጤቶች ለአለም ገበያ በማቅረም ከፍተኛ ተቀባይነት ያገኘ ሲሆን ከሚያመርታቸው ስልኮች በተጨማሪ በፈጠራ እና በአገልግሎት ብቃት የዳበሩ ስማርት ሰዐት፣ ላፕቶፕ እና ሃይኦኤስ ኦፕሬቲንግ ሲስተም  (HiOS operating system) የሚያመርት ሲሆን የቴክኖሎጂ ውጤቶችን በስፋት ተደራሽ ለማድረግ እና በአዳዲስ ፈጠራዎች ግንባር ቀደም ለመሆን የሚሰራ አለም አቀፍ ብራንድ ነው።

Ethiopia’s Regulatory Authority Signals Open Doors for Foreign Banks

Ethiopia’s Regulatory Authority Signals Open Doors for Foreign Banks Ethiopia is set to enhance its economic landscape by allowing foreign banks to obtain licenses for domestic banking services, as announced by the regulatory authority. The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, following an order from the Ministry of Justice, is initiating the licensing process, according to Mr. Bruck Taye, the head of the authority, as reported by Reuters. While Ethiopia has embraced foreign investment in sectors like telecommunications, challenges such as an unpredictable regulatory environment, security breaches, and economic instability have impacted the operations of companies like Safaricom. The report highlights the absence of investment banks in Ethiopia and emphasizes the difficulty in securing loans due to the high collateral requirements imposed by existing commercial banks. Mr. Bruck underscores the high demand for financial capital, citing obstacles like borrowers requesting 25 percent interest and a substantial 70 percent collateral. Furthermore, the report sheds light on Ethiopia’s foreign currency shortage, noting the recent failure to meet a $1 billion international bond payment, falling short by $33 million last month. These developments underscore the complexities and opportunities that arise as Ethiopia opens its banking sector to foreign players.

Ethiopost CEO Hanna Arayaselassie Named Head of Ethiopian Investment Commission

Ethiopost CEO Hanna Arayaselassie Named Head of Ethiopian Investment Commission On January 17, 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) revealed the selection of Hanna Arayaselassie as the newly appointed head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC). Having steered Ethiopost since 2020, Hanna orchestrated a substantial institutional reform, resulting in a notable enhancement of service quality. Under her guidance, Ethiopost witnessed a threefold surge in revenues, earning the prestigious Postal Excellence Award of 2023 from the Universal Postal Union for the Africa Region. Hanna, an accomplished alumna of both New York and Addis Ababa universities, achieved academic excellence, securing a gold medal and graduating at the top of her class. Her professional journey encompasses roles such as a lecturer at Addis Ababa University School of Law, a senior policy researcher at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Deputy Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission during Abebe Abebayehu’s tenure. Hanna’s appointment is recognized as a strategic move in Ethiopia’s quest for foreign investments, leveraging her extensive experience and effective leadership skills. Abebe, in acknowledgment of her new role, lauded her intelligence and unwavering commitment to public service. Abebe, in his statement to Fortune, emphasized, “She is exceptionally intelligent. Her commitment and dedication to public service know no bounds.” Source- Addis Fortune

Diplomatic Air Turbulence: Ethiopian Airlines Entry Denied Amid Somalia-Ethiopia Strife

Diplomatic Air Turbulence: Ethiopian Airlines Entry Denied Amid Somalia-Ethiopia Strife In a significant heightening of regional tensions, Somali authorities decided to deny entry to an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Wednesday. The flight was transporting a delegation to introduce a high-ranking Ethiopian leader to Somaliland. This incident adds further complexity to the already strained relationship between Somalia and its eastern neighbor. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority acknowledged that it intercepted the plane before it entered Somali airspace, redirecting it back to its origin in Addis Ababa. Official confirmation was issued by the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority, declaring that Ethiopian Airlines flight ET8372 was “turned away” from Somali airspace. Local media reports suggest that the refusal was driven by concerns regarding the delegation’s objectives, especially the planned introduction of a prominent Ethiopian leader to Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia actively seeking international recognition. This recent occurrence unfolds within the backdrop of an ongoing dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over a recent agreement that provides Ethiopia with access to a military base in Somaliland. Somalia has strongly denounced the agreement, branding it as a “blatant violation of its territorial integrity and national unity.” Following clarification from Ethiopian Airlines, the intercepted plane was eventually granted permission to continue its journey.

From Horn to Horizon: Ethiopia’s Naval Aspirations, USA’s Strategic Silence

From Horn to Horizon: Ethiopia’s Naval Aspirations, USA’s Strategic Silence The recent agreement granting Ethiopia leasing rights to the Red Sea coastline in Somalia’s breakaway Somaliland region has raised national security concerns for the White House, according to administration officials on Tuesday. Despite the deal being inked on January 1, questions arise regarding Washington’s commitment and ability to mediate tensions in this volatile region. Redwan Hussien, the Ethiopian government spokesman, mentioned at the time of the agreement that it also opened the door for establishing a leased military base on the Red Sea. John Kirby, Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council, informed VOA that the U.S. is actively collaborating with regional partners, including the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development trade bloc, to challenge the nonbinding memorandum of understanding. Somalia’s government, based in Mogadishu, considers the agreement illegitimate. “We’re certainly troubled,” Kirby expressed, emphasizing the United States’ support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He added, “As we’ve said many times, we support Somalia’s sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and it’s got to be respected.” The situation is perceived as a potential catalyst for heightened tensions in the region, particularly concerning the autonomy-seeking Somaliland. Governed from Hargeisa, it has pursued recognition since 1991, despite the African Union’s policy opposing changes to colonial borders. Kirby emphasized the national security implications, pointing out the risk of emboldening Islamist al-Shabab militants, the primary antagonists in Somalia’s civil war. He voiced concern that the recent Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland could disrupt the ongoing fight against Al-Shabab, posing a significant threat to regional stability. Somalia’s former Foreign Minister, Ahmed Isse Awad, expressed apprehension, stating that the misguided step by Ethiopia jeopardizes the progress made in Horn of Africa cooperation. He also raised concerns about the U.S. losing its moral voice due to its foreign policy, particularly its staunch support for Israel. Analyzing Ethiopia’s motives, experts noted its logical interest in sea access to serve its growing population. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, a contested chokepoint, is crucial for safeguarding supply chains. Ethiopia, being landlocked, aims to avoid dependence on ports in Djibouti, affected by Yemen’s conflict and aspires to establish itself as a naval power in the region. Cameron Hudson from the Center for Strategic and International Studies questioned Ethiopia’s capacity to handle the responsibility that comes with regional security. He also raised doubts about Washington’s commitment, stating that the U.S. hasn’t taken meaningful action to address the situation in the Horn of Africa, indicating a perceived lack of seriousness about the stakes involved.

Zemen Bank Marks Milestone with 5% ESX Investment in Ethiopia

Zemen Bank Marks Milestone with 5% ESX Investment in Ethiopia In a historic development, Zemen Bank S.C. has achieved the milestone of becoming the inaugural privately held entity to invest in the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), securing a substantial 5% stake in the burgeoning stock market. With a valuation of 47.5 million birr, the bank’s acquisition not only surpasses the prescribed minimum investment threshold but also signifies a pivotal juncture in Ethiopia’s financial terrain. This groundbreaking accord, formalized during a signing ceremony attended by Zemen Bank CEO Dereje Zenebe and ESX CEO Tilahun Kassahun, underscores Zemen Bank’s steadfast commitment to transparency and its leadership role in nurturing the growth of the ESX. The Ethiopian government has made 75% of the bourse’s issued share capital, amounting to approximately 900 million birr ($16 million), available for investment by both local and foreign investors. The remaining 25% is retained by state-owned entities, including Ethiopian Investment Holdings, the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, Ethio Telecom, and Ethiopian Shipping Lines. Zemen Bank’s strategic move aligns with Ethiopia’s momentous journey to establish its inaugural securities exchange, propelled by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ambitious economic reforms aimed at unlocking previously restricted sectors. Set to commence operations in the third quarter, the ESX aims to attract listings from banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and multinational corporations. CEO Dereje Zenebe, addressing the signing ceremony, emphasized Zemen Bank’s role as a trailblazer in supporting the ESX. The bank’s investment not only meets the stipulated minimum threshold but also positions it as a frontrunner, instilling confidence for other financial institutions to emulate. Valued at 47.5 million birr, Zemen Bank’s investment signifies approximately 5% of the ESX’s shareholding. Anticipated to set a precedent, this move is poised to encourage additional banks and private investors to partake in the ensuing months. As part of its expansive fundraising initiatives, ESX aims to garner a total of 625 million birr from corporate entities and institutions to enhance its platform and services. To date, 275 million birr has been secured from four state-owned enterprises, supported by Ethiopia Investment Holdings and FSD Africa. This infusion of capital will empower ESX to introduce innovative trading mechanisms, attract a diverse array of listed companies, and foster broader market participation. Authorities regard this successful inaugural fundraising round as a pivotal stride toward establishing the ESX as a dynamic hub for capital mobilization and allocation, contributing to the fortification of Ethiopia’s financial system and addressing the evolving requirements of its rapidly advancing economy.

Gamifying Education: HaHu Scripts – The First Interactive App to Transform #Amharic and #Tigrigna Literacy and Culture!

Gamifying Education: HaHu Scripts – The First Interactive App to Transform #Amharic and #Tigrigna Literacy and Culture! In the face of alarming literacy statistics in Ethiopia, a groundbreaking initiative has emerged to address the educational challenges faced by the nation’s youth. The World Bank Policy brief on Education in Ethiopia recently revealed that a staggering 90% of 10-year-olds struggle to read a sentence, and only 1% of 4th and 5th graders demonstrate the expected reading proficiency for their grade level. In response to this urgent need, Ha Hu AG introduced HaHu Scripts, the first interactive mobile app to gamify #Amharic and #Tigrigna together, offering intuitive writing and listening practices, 300+ illustrated vocabulary cards, and a storytelling section featuring beloved childhood stories and songs. The Urgency of Literacy: Literacy is a foundational element of individual empowerment, fostering informed decision-making, critical thinking, and economic development. A skilled and adaptable workforce, driven by literacy, contributes to innovation and productivity in society. Moreover, literacy encourages social integration and active civic participation, creating cohesive communities. Breaking the cycle of poverty, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering a globally aware and interconnected society are all possible through literacy. HaHu Scripts: A Cultural and Linguistic Preservation Endeavor: In 2021, Ha Hu AG embarked on a mission to preserve Ethiopia’s cultural, linguistic, and literary heritage. HaHu Scripts, the mobile platform developed by the organization, introduces a novel approach to learning Amharic and Tigrigna scripts by gamifying the experience. This has made fundamental literacy accessible and enjoyable to over 25,000 individuals worldwide. Beyond the digital realm, Ha Hu AG also published Amharic and Tigrigna posters to supplement the users’ educational needs. Recognizing the importance of off-screen education, the organization is dedicated to providing a comprehensive learning experience. Expanding Educational Horizons: However, the team at Ha Hu AG acknowledges that more needs to be done. Regular messages from parents requesting additional educational content highlight the demand for more comprehensive offerings. In response to this, HaHu Scripts is committed to enhancing its platform by adding Ge’ez as a third language. The goal is to consistently generate high-quality educational materials and content in multiple Semitic languages. A Call to Action: Ha Hu AG extends a call to all those passionate about preserving Ethiopia’s beautiful and unique literary culture. The success of their mission relies on community support. Whether through sharing the campaign, contributing financially, or participating in giveaways, every action makes a significant impact. Users can also support the cause by downloading the HaHu Scripts app and purchasing educational posters from the official website, hahugames.com. HaHu Scripts represents more than just a mobile app; it is a beacon of hope for the future of Ethiopian education. By combining technology, cultural preservation, and community involvement, Ha Hu AG is paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future. Join the movement, contribute, and be a part of the transformative journey towards eradicating illiteracy in Ethiopia. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands and ensure a legacy of literacy and cultural richness for generations to come. HaHu Scripts is available on all app stores for Android and IOS devices.

Raxio Ethiopia appoints Degol Gossaye as its new General Manager

Raxio Ethiopia appoints Degol Gossaye as its new General Manager Tier III certified carrier-neutral facility in Addis Ababa provides innovative infrastructure to support the region’s ambition for digital inclusion. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 4 January 2024 – Raxio Data Centres, a leading provider of state-of-the-art carrier-neutral data centres across Africa, announced that it has appointed Degol Gossaye as its new General Manager of Raxio Ethiopia. Mr. Gossaye comes in at an exciting time for Raxio Ethiopia, following the launch of Raxio’s flagship facility in Ethiopia in November 2023, and replaces outgoing GM, Bewket Taffere, who has been instrumental in building the Raxio Ethiopia brand and overseeing the construction of its state-of- the-art Data Centre in Addis Ababa. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Degol for some time now, and as a seasoned and experienced manager, with a strong commercial background and intimate knowledge of the financial services industry in Ethiopia, I am convinced that he will do a phenomenal job in leading Raxio Ethiopia during this next, operational phase of the Company,” said Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group BV. Degol has 18 years of experience in the financial services sector holding various commercial and leadership roles. Before joining Raxio, Degol was the CEO of Ethio Lease, the first foreign owned financial services company and previously was the General Manager of Sun Optical technologies and joint venture company of Essilor. He also comes with solid experience in the banking sector in operations, credit management and digital transformation projects. “I am delighted to be joining Raxio at such an exciting time and look forward to leading Raxio to commercial and operational success in Ethiopia,” said Degol. “Raxio’s offering is unique in the country and comes at a time when local and international companies are looking for safe, secure and reliable data centre solutions here, locally in Ethiopia.” Ideally situated in Ethiopia’s economic heart, in the country’s capital city of Addis Ababa, Raxio’s newest Tier III certified, state-of-the-art data centre will address the quickly evolving needs of a vibrant business environment and public sector for dependable, always-on IT solutions. The facility offers secure colocation space for up to 800 racks delivering up to 3MW of IT power, providing a robust, fully redundant environment for housing mission-critical IT infrastructure with 24/7 availability. About Raxio Data Centres: Raxio Group is one of Africa’s leading carrier-neutral Tier III data centre operators, delivering best-in-class colocation services. Established in 2018, provides industry-standard, carrier-grade facilities and services that form the foundation for Africa’s digital economy. Following the launch of its facilities in Uganda and Ethiopia, Raxio also has a presence the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Angola, where it is building similar facilities. We are constantly expanding our footprint and are on track to build several new facilities over the next two years, establishing a network of interconnected data centres servicing the active and latent demand across the African continent. For further information, please visit www.raxiogroup.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Mastewal: [email protected] Nigist: [email protected] or 0919152297

Digitizing Ethiopia’s Future: BeSingularity’s Revolutionary Sales Model

Digitizing Ethiopia’s Future: BeSingularity’s Revolutionary Sales Model In the ever-evolving business environment of Ethiopia, BeSingularity has marked its presence as an innovative force in digitizing sales and distribution channels. Established in January 2021, the company swiftly positioned itself as a significant contributor to solving unemployment issues and helping bridge the digital divide in East Africa. BeSingularity’s ambition is to mobilize a million sales agents by 2027, reflecting its commitment to socio-economic development. Approach to Sales Recruitment and Training:BeSingularity differentiates itself with a focused service on the recruitment, training, and deployment of junior salespersons and sales outsourcing. Moving beyond traditional recruitment practices that often depend on personal connections, BeSingularity provides a more structured solution. This includes recruiting and training sales professionals, establishing dedicated sales channels, and offering sales consultancy services. Notably, the company assures continuity for client businesses by guaranteeing free replacements for any salesperson who resigns. Recruitment and Training Process:The company’s process starts with identifying and training junior sales staff across Ethiopia. These individuals are then digitally connected with businesses in need of sales support. The training encompasses various skills like communication, lead generation, cold calling, meeting management, and closing deals, aiming to create a ready and capable workforce. Sales Outsourcing Service:BeSingularity operates its sales outsourcing on a commission-based model. Businesses engaging with this service incur fees proportional to the sales commission of the products, introducing a performance-focused element to the sales process. Client Base and Success Rate:BeSingularity serves a diverse range of industries, including marketing, technology, and entertainment. The company has engaged with over 380 businesses, indicating its adaptability and effectiveness across various sectors. The positive feedback from these businesses highlights the perceived value of BeSingularity’s services. Digital Self-Employment Platform:A distinguishing feature of BeSingularity is its digital self-employment platform, which seamlessly integrates recruitment, training, and commission-based remuneration. The platform benefits from strategic partnerships with government entities, international organizations, and industry leaders, aiming to empower and employ the youth in a supportive environment for independent sales agents. Future Objectives and Expansion Plans:BeSingularity plans to expand its digital presence to 15 regions and collaborate with 96 regional TVETs in Ethiopia by the end of 2024. The company’s long-term goal includes securing a 10% market share in Ethiopia’s sales and distribution sector by 2030 and expanding its operations into Kenya and Uganda, to employ 10,000 gig workers in each country. These plans illustrate BeSingularity’s aspiration for both revenue growth and socio-economic influence in East Africa. Founder’s Perspective:Founder Beza Ayalew Sharew’s vision extends to empowering the youth with sales skills and fostering entrepreneurship. The company’s trajectory is seen as a potential model for digital transformation and socio-economic advancement in Ethiopia and potentially other African economies.