Issue 127: Government Leads the Charge

Team Shega here, bringing you a recap of the significant events in Ethiopia's innovation and startup scene from last week.

Interestingly, most of the developments came from government agencies.

Perhaps the biggest event was a gathering led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) at the Adewa Museum Hall. Government officials, including regional presidents, city administrators, startups, and other stakeholders, attended.

The event showcased the successes of the Digital Ethiopia Strategy. This included advancements in data center infrastructure, the digital ID program, and the evolving financial payment system.

The Prime Minister also announced plans for a national council to oversee the strategy's execution. Led by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, it's expected to be established soon.

Government Enters Co-working Space

The week also marked the government's first venture into co-working spaces as the Ministry of Innovation & Technology (MinT) inaugurated the Innobiz-K Ethiopia Center.

Set up with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the innovation hub is located within the ICT Park. It will also run support programs and target post-early-stage startups.

The center will initiate a call for applications, evaluating candidates based on their problem-solving focus, proposed solutions, business models, and team dynamics. Read More.

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Bridging the Gender Gap in Finance

Another initiative launched last week was the Network of Ethiopia's Women in Finance (NEWFin). This program aims to bridge the gender gap in leadership within Ethiopia's financial sector and foster women's financial inclusion.

Spearheaded by the National Bank of Ethiopia, NEWFin's strategic framework focuses on six areas:

• Advancement and Career Development
• Advocacy and Community Engagement
• Networking and Collaboration
• Growth and Sustainability
• Partnership
• Visibility and Branding. Read More.

Public Service Improvements

The Addis Ababa City Bus Service Enterprise is rolling out a new digital ticketing system. These handheld ticketing terminals will streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and improve the passenger experience.

The devices will issue printed receipts detailing travel duration and fare, eliminating overpayments. Traditionally, users paid the full fare regardless of the distance traveled. This system ensures the receipt reflects actual kilometers. Read More.

New Players Enter Digital Fuel Payment

Fortune reported a new application is being developed by Ethio Telecom that allows for fuel transactions through approved banks, microfinance institutions, or payment service providers.

This move is expected to introduce new players into the digital fuel payment landscape currently dominated by telebirr, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia (COOP).

Over 20 financial institutions and payment facilitators have expressed interest, including Wegagen Bank, Dashen Bank, and Nib Bank.

Startup Spotlight: Zoma Technologies

Finally, a startup story: Zoma Technologies, a ride-hailing service provider in Addis Ababa, has integrated an on-demand water delivery feature into its platform to address the capital's water shortage.

Launched in early 2024, the service is accessible through the Nisir app and a call center (8865). Users can order a minimum of 1,000 liters at a rate of 1.20 birr per liter.

Since its launch, Nisir has onboarded around 150 tank trucks and currently delivers an average of 4,000 liters per day. Deliveries typically occur within a few hours of placing an order. Read More.

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