Zegeye had been serving on the commission since its establishment to facilitate national dialogue and foster consensus among Ethiopians on key political and national issues. He was widely regarded for his sharp perspectives on nation-building, governance, and national consensus.

A prominent figure in Ethiopia’s political history, Zegeye also played a significant role during the transition period following the fall of the imperial regime. As Minister of Agriculture at the time, he was involved in the implementation of the landmark “Land to the Tiller” land reform proclamation under the Derg government.

Trained as a lawyer at Addis Ababa University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Zegeye dedicated decades to public service. Over the course of his career, he held ministerial positions in several government institutions, including the Ministry of Land Reform and Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Settlement, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

This renewed partnership, which has been under way for several years, is based on the shared ambition to draw balanced and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Africa-France Summit organized in Montpellier in 2021 opened this reflection by giving a voice to youth and actors from civil society and African diasporas. It is now necessary to amplify this dynamic. The organization of an Africa-France summit in Kenya, a non-French-speaking country, illustrates this movement of openness and the broadening of relations between France and the entire continent.

This Summit is also a call to invest in new areas of cooperation, particularly in the fields of heritage, culture and sport, in order to invent more humane and direct forms of partnership, especially between our youth and our diasporas. This summit highlights creators, athletes, artists and all those who, through their initiatives, are already shaping the relations between Africa and the France of tomorrow.

Strengthening our ties must also rely on the private sector, which creates opportunities and drives growth. This is why President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto want to give a strong economic dimension to this meeting, which is opening with a business forum. The aim is to promote a more horizontal approach, where innovation, entrepreneurship and youth play a central role in addressing the continent’s challenges.

But this re-foundation is not only guided by shared interests; it is also a strategic necessity in a changing world.

At a time when international law and multilateralism are being called into question, France and Africa are carrying a common agenda on global issues and a common commitment to international law and multilateralism, as recalled by the Summit between the European Union and the African Union organized in Luanda, Angola in November 2025. This Summit also constitutes an opportunity for France and Kenya to pledge for a better representation of the African continent in global governance, particularly in the UN Security Council and the international financial system.

The Summit offers the opportunity to move forward on concrete priorities: energy transition, sustainable agriculture, artificial intelligence, blue economy or health. These are all areas where French and Kenyan expertise can complement each other and lead to useful, sustainable solutions adapted to local realities.

Moreover, this Summit is a chance to highlight the commitment of France, Kenya and other African countries to stepping up mutual investment and to financing tangible solutions to common challenges.

Beyond the projects and declarations, this meeting must above all embody a shared ambition: to build a relationship based on trust and reciprocity.

Africa and France have considerable assets: dynamic youth, abundant creativity and a common interest to find together solutions to global challenges. By setting them in motion together, we can create a renewed partnership, looking to the future, capable of meeting the expectations of our societies and contributing to a more balanced, more united and more sustainable world.

The Africa Forward Summit being action-oriented, the results of the Summit will contribute to consolidate the ties between African countries and France and build forward-looking partnerships.

(Alexis Lamek is the Ambassador of France to Ethiopia and the African Union.)

The defendants, which include well-known public figures and social media influencers, stand accused of causing substantial financial harm by allegedly disseminating false information and exploiting public trust through social media platforms and digital communication tools.

Prosecutors claim the suspects used online platforms and computer-based systems to mislead victims into a fraudulent vehicle import scheme, resulting in significant financial losses.

During the proceedings, prosecutors stated they did not object to bail for most of the defendants, with the exception of the fifth defendant, Mensur Jemal. However, citing the magnitude of the alleged fraud, prosecutors requested the court to impose strict bail conditions, including high financial guarantees and a ban on international travel. Prosecutors also argued that several of the suspects frequently travel abroad for work and could pose a flight risk.

Although the court had previously recognized the defendants’ right to bail during a hearing held on April 6, 2026 it deferred its decision regarding the specific bail amounts, travel restrictions, and the prosecution’s written objection to bail for Mensur Jemal until May 11, 2026.

Following a closed-door hearing held today, the court has set a 400,000 Birr bail for four of the defendants including Serawit Fikre, Yigerem Dejene, Solomon Bogale, and Daniel Tegen. The sixth and seventh defendants, Khalid Nasir and Abraham Gizaw, were each granted bail in the amount of 500,000 Birr.

Defense attorney Abebaw Abebe told The Reporter that the fifth defendant, Mensur Jemal, is facing four separate charges brought by prosecutors.

The lawyer further noted that, despite being released on bail, all defendants remain prohibited from leaving the country.

The court proceedings were conducted behind closed doors, without the presence of family members and media representatives.

Meanwhile, Yosiyad Abeje, head prosecutor for organized and cross-border crime, told The Reporter that the court had reviewed the prosecution’s written objection to granting bail for Mensur Jemal and is expected to issue a separate ruling later this afternoon.

Addis Ababa – May 5th, 2026 – Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, unveiled its new office location in Addis Ababa, marking an important milestone in the company’s continued engagement with Ethiopia’s financial services sector and broader economy.

While Visa has operated in Ethiopia for several years, the new location reflects a strengthened local presence and an evolved approach to partnership, collaboration, and market engagement.

Over the past three years, Visa’s presence in Ethiopia and Eastern Africa has grown substantially, marked by a larger team, expanded regional capabilities, and increased strategic engagement.

Today, the Addis Ababa office serves as a regional hub supporting six markets across Eastern Africa. It reflects Visa’s confidence in the region and its intent to stay close to clients, partners, and stakeholders through day-to-day engagement on the ground.

The new office will serve as a hub for closer engagement with regulators, banks, fintech partners, and the wider business community, supporting the continued growth of secure, inclusive, and innovative digital payments in the market.

The office inauguration brought together senior stakeholders from across the financial ecosystem, including representatives from regulatory institutions, bank executives, and strategic partners.

A defining feature of the new office is a FIFA World Cup–inspired mural, unveiled as part of Visa’s global Visa–FIFA Illustrator Program. Created by Ethiopian visual artist and muralist Efrata Birhanu, the artwork celebrates football’s unique ability to connect people while reflecting Ethiopian culture, creativity, and community.

The mural also highlights Visa’s commitment to the creator economy and its support for artists through global and local platforms.

“While Visa has been present in Ethiopia for several years, opening this new office location marks an important next phase in how we engage with the market,” said Yared Endale, Head of Eastern Africa at Visa. “Having a refreshed, purpose-built space allows us to work more closely with regulators, banks, fintechs, and partners, while signalling our long-term commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s digital payments ecosystem and creative economy as it continues to evolve.”

The mural unveiling also underscores how digital payments can help artists and creators access new audiences, receive payments securely, and build sustainable livelihoods, aligning with Visa’s broader role in enabling participation in the global digital economy.

“This new office location in Addis Ababa reflects the continued strengthening of Visa’s footprint across the region,” said Michael Berner, Head of Southern and Eastern Africa at Visa. “Ethiopia joins Kenya and Tanzania as one of our key physical hubs in East Africa. While Visa has operated in Ethiopia for some time, investing in this new space reinforces our belief in the market’s potential and our intention to stay close to clients, partners, and regulators. As we continue to grow, we expect to expand our presence further across the region this year.”

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at http://Visa.com

Media Contact 

Bryan Wesonga

bwesonga@visa.com

The statement from Tadesse Werede (Lt. Gen.) was issued after the TPLF-controlled regional council conducted an executive session in the regional cabinet meeting hall in Mekelle under armed protection.

According to information and images released by regional media streams on Friday, TPLF commenced a meeting inside the Interim Administration’s cabinet meeting hall after declaring itself “elected” earlier this week.

The move follows the TPLF’s rejection of the federal government’s decision to extend the TIA’s mandate for one year to ensure regional stability.

The TPLF leadership opposed this renewal, instead reinstating its pre-war regional council and nominating Debretsion as the regional president, maintaining that the pre-war council holds legitimacy based on previous regional elections, which were held nearly six years ago.

In a social media post on May 8, 2026, President Tadesse Worede described the TPLF’s entry into the cabinet hall as a “destructive movement and the start of a dangerous chapter for the region.”

“I want to express that the body itself, which is attempting to seize the administration’s power by force, is responsible for all-encompassing destruction and danger that befalls our people following this illegal act,” stated Tadesse.

The President noted that the group [Debretsion led TPLF] ignored prior calls to desist and instead utilized armed protection to occupy government infrastructure.

“The body [TPLF] that recently declared itself elected released information and images today showing it has started a cabinet meeting inside the Tigray Interim Administration cabinet meeting hall,” Tadesse’s post read.

The current situation creates a dual-administration claim in Mekelle.

While the federal government previously justified the TIA extension as a measure to facilitate the transition toward permanent elections, observers warn the move to reinstate the former council risks undoing the fragile peace that ended the two year’s war in the region.

In contrast to the Interim Administration’s stance, Sebhat Gebreegziabher, a former member of Tigray’s pre-war regional council currently working with an aid organization near the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, challenged the legality of the federal mandate extension.

He argued that because the TIA resulted from an agreement between two negotiating parties—the TPLF and the federal government—any extension required a bilateral decision at the negotiating table rather than a unilateral decree from Addis Ababa.

He framed the current standoff as a result of the federal government attempting to force subservience rather than addressing the legal and democratic questions raised by the regional council.

Music composer Kamuzu Kassa and a group of over 30 artists are at loggerheads over unpaid performance fees related to an Ethiopian cultural performance tour in BRICS countries. The artists who were part of the Kin Ethiopia tour have accused Kamuzu and his production company, Shakura, of failing to pay them for their work.

The tour featured around a dozen cultural performances overseas, including in China, Russia, and other BRICS countries, as well as several domestic dates. It was organized and led by the Ministry of Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside Kamuzu and his production company.

The tour got underway last year as part of a ‘United Culture Forum’ in which performers from 60 countries have participated,  according to statements from the Ministry of Culture. The Ministry, which has reportedly budgeted hundreds of millions of Birr for the tours, has previously stated that Ethiopia is “lucky” to be part of such a global platform.

As part of the preparations, more than 30 artists and performers entered into contracts with Kamuzu Kassa and Shakura Production, which was hired by the Ministry to organize the performances.

According to its website, Shakura works on audio recording and mixing, music composition and arrangement, and sound design for film and media. It was established in 2006 and is led by Kamuzu Kassa.

The artists have since accused Shakura of refusing to compensate them for their work in full after receiving payment from the Ministry and despite the successful execution of 11 performances. Under an agreement with the event organizer, Shakura Production, the artists were to be paid 217,500 Birr per individual for every four stages performed.

The artists report they notified the Ministry, which confirmed that Shakura and Kamuzu had received the budget. A letter from the Ministry addressed to the production company three months ago acknowledges Shakura’s failure to effect payment.

“The Ministry did not enter into an agreement directly with the cultural and artistic team, but the Ministry entered into an agreement with Shakura Production. Therefore, we urge Shakura Production to answer the demands of the performers,” reads the letter.

Nonetheless, a group of 37 performers say they were forced to take the case to court after their appeals failed to yield results.

The total claim brought forward has been solidified at nearly 31 million Birr. This comprehensive figure includes the accumulated professional fees for the international and domestic tours, damages, and four months of unpaid daily rehearsal allowances. The artists contend that these daily payments were essential for their survival during the intensive preparation phases, yet they remain entirely outstanding.

“We have waited for a year and two months without payment. During all this time, we performed to live up to our oath to the honor of our nation. We received this duty from the Speaker of Parliament and we kept our word. But we can no longer wait for payment. All artists in this group have dedicated themselves to this project and abandoned other jobs in the process, sacrificing other opportunities for the success of this project,” reads the lawsuit filed by the artists.

They claim Kamuzu has repeatedly put off their requests for payment using “flimsy excuses.”

Judges at the Federal High Court have since ordered a 20-day injunction on bank accounts belonging to Shakura and Kamuzu.

A number of commercial banks, including CBE, Abyssinia, Cooperative Bank of Oromia, and Awash, have been notified of the injunction. The court has also ordered a freeze on assets belonging to Kamuzu Kassa.

“We were the faces of Ethiopia rising on the global stage, yet we returned home to empty accounts,” one of the artists told The Reporter. “For months, we were told to be patient. Shakura claimed they hadn’t received the full budget from the Ministry of Culture and Sport.”

​The artists report that while some members received a minor partial payment of 50,000 Birr, the bulk of the 30.8 million Birr remains unpaid.

​Shakura Production Responds

In an exclusive interview, Shakura Production head Kamuzu Kassa denied allegations of a total breach of contract.

“We are paying according to the agreement,” Kamuzu stated. While acknowledging a portion of payment is still remaining, he maintained that the company has already disbursed significant funds.

​Kamuzu emphasized that the project was a collaborative effort with the Ministry, stating, “We provided these artists with work and we will fulfill the payment according to the terms of the agreement.” He declined, however, to specify the exact figures already paid out to the 37 individuals.

The case highlights a growing tension between private producers and the government entities that commission them. While the Ministry of Culture and Sport has previously intervened via written correspondence, they remained unavailable for comment at the time of publication, failing to respond to inquiries regarding the status of the Kin Ethiopia budget.

​As the 20-day freezing order expires and the formal lawsuit moves forward, the 37 artists of Kin-Ethiopia cultural group remain steadfast. For them, the battle is no longer about the applause of an international audience, but the fundamental right to the 30.8 million Birr in wages and allowances earned while representing their country.

The Rights Commission presented its assessment of the proceedings ahead of the June 1 vote to election and security officials on Thursday. The Commission deployed 55 teams to 1,007 polling stations in highly contested constituencies and those that have seen the most complaints from political parties, voters, and candidates.

The assessment, which did not cover Tigray, uncovered a number of glaring issues that sparked debate and contention from the meeting’s participants, which included NEBE officials, regional security heads, police chiefs, and representatives of the Political Parties Joint Council.

Among the concerning findings was the establishments in police stations, inside military camps, and alongside liquor stores.

“Some polling stations are in areas prohibited by law. In some areas, more than one polling station is duplicated. Some polling stations are located where they cannot be seen clearly,” said Mekdes Amenu, civil and political rights director at EHRC, who presented the findings.

Election officials argued that some polling stations are sited in police barracks, not police stations. They also stated stations located in and around military camps are legal, and are intended for the use of voters in the ENDF.

As for the liquor store accusations, officials said they were taking measures.

The Commission also found that the location of some polling stations does not match with GPS data provided by the Board, citing such cases in Ambo, West Shewa. Election officials said GPS coordinates are only available for around half of the 49,000 polling stations set to host voters in a few weeks.

The major bone of contention during the meeting, however, was alleged interference from security  and government officials, and members of the ruling party, in election preparations.

“Security forces and members must refrain from involvement in the election process. Government officials must refrain from interfering in the election process,” the Commission recommended based on its findings, though it declined to specify instances of interference.

“We recommended security officials and government officials should refrain from interfering in the election process. But this does not mean they are interfering now. For instance, when the ruling party rallies, some police members might join. That is human nature and individual incidents. We do not include such individual incidents in this report. For instance, in some cases, security officers also might proceed to detain some individuals. At such points, we interfere, explain the issue and tell them to release them. Such issues happen due to lack of awareness,” said Berhanu Adello, EHRC chief. “In general, we are not hiding any findings. There is nothing we hide from the public in fear of anyone. We are not secretive. We will give all evidence of this finding to NEBE, but not to political parties.”

The Commission did, however, note gaps in the equal treatment of political parties, citing opposition party complaints about a lack of resources and access to constituents.

“For instance, EPRP [Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party] was denied rallies and campaigns in Addis Ababa. EPRP also planned to conduct rallies in 10 other cities and towns, but was denied,” read documents from the presentation.

The Commission notes that the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party’s plans for rallies in Dawro Zone met a similar fate, and so did campaign efforts from the Benishangul People’s Freedom Movement, the Freedom and Equality Party, and ONLF.

Opposition parties also say they are being denied their right to use public spaces.

On the other hand, the report found that the citizens were pushed to join rallies organized by the ruling Prosperity Party in places like Mizan Tepi. 

Election officials say they have facilitated the opposition’s access to public spaces, and attempted to pin the complaints on regional administrations.

The report also noted shortcomings in the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs), 169 of which have been accredited by NEBE to carry out programs on awareness, literacy, and access to information.

“CSOs reported they are unable to conduct election education and civic literacy activities owing to a lack of funding,” said Berhanu, noting the troubles are linked to foreign funding cuts.

The Commission noted that media involvement in the lead up to elections has been limited.

Response from Security Agencies

The heads of several regional peace and security bureaus, police commanders and commissioners, and other senior security officials were present during the discussions on EHRC’s findings.

Kasaye Gemechu of the Oromia peace and security bureau, said there have been “no major problems.”

“We are working hard and making every effort to make sure the election will take place without security problems. We are protecting and facilitating election kits and materials to arrive safely. Citizens have registered freely without fear. We conducted election preparations successfully. On election day, we are working to ensure the vote takes place without security problems,” said Kasaye. “We are also working to make sure all security forces equally serve all parties. We are making sure security forces in Oromia are neutral. So far, there is no major problem.”

Kasaye stated that over 25 million voters registered in Oromia. This figure is half of the over 50 million total voters registered, as per the report.

Zerihun Duguma, from the Oromia Police Commission, had another take.

“Oromia is vast. There are insurgents who are working to make obstacles so that the election does not take place successfully. A command post is working hard to counter these peace forces. There are also social media actors trying to obstruct the election; we are handling them cautiously,” said Zerihun.

EHRC monitoring covered almost all of Oromia, except some parts of Wollega.

Other security officials, including from Addis Ababa, also stated the pre-election process is proceeding peacefully.

“The entire government and the Prosperity Party is working to ensure a peaceful and democratic election,” said Meles Alemu, an executive member of the incumbent and member of the Political Parties Council. “We are ready to act on all the gaps mentioned in the EHRC monitoring findings. All stakeholders must discharge their roles to make the election successful.”

If ratified by Parliament, the proclamation would bar an insurer holding a standard insurance business license from engaging in business as a reinsurance provider. Similarly, an insurer would require a separate license to offer Takaful insurance services.

Under the terms of the draft, these licenses would be granted by the Ethiopian Insurance Regulatory Authority, which is slated to take over as industry regulator from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).

The NBE has regulated the nascent insurance industry for three decades, alongside banks, microfinance institutions, reinsurance, and lease financing. Insurers have long argued the NBE’s focus on banking growth has stifled their own.

The authority proposed in the amendment will be led by a seven-member board, which will include representatives from the NBE and Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, and will be responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing compliance.

The draft also proposes to open the insurance industry to foreign investment, following up on liberalization under the Banking Business Proclamation of early 2025. If approved, foreign insurers will be able to establish a partially or fully owned subsidiary in Ethiopia, as well as acquire shares in existing Ethiopian insurers.

The draft limits “strategic” foreign investors to 40 percent of an insurer’s subscribed shares, while “non-strategic” foreign nationals can own up to 10 percent of shares.

Foreign nationals and foreign-owned Ethiopian organizations fully owned by foreign nationals shall invest in an insurer only through foreign direct investment in foreign currency.

The Authority may, on the application of a foreign reinsurer, grant a license for the establishment by the foreign reinsurer of a representative office in Ethiopia, according to the draft.

It also features several provisions related to mergers and acquisitions in the insurance industry, including one granting the Authority the power to step in and enforce a statutory merger to “rescue problem insurers and/or to create a more viable and stronger insurer.”

Abdulmenan Mohamed (PhD), a seasoned financial analyst and keen observer of the Ethiopian financial sector, observes the draft has several shortcomings.

“The separation of the insurance licensing categories could attract more investors to the industry. But since the Ethiopian insurance industry is nascent and small, it is not clear on what logical basis the establishment of a new regulatory authority is necessitated. The new bill is vast and incorporates a lot of provisions from around the world. Establishing such a huge regulatory institution might be too much for such a small industry,” said Abdulmenan.

He questions the financial implications involved in setting up the new regulator.

“Where will the funding come from to finance the authority’s huge responsibilities? It needs new offices, new officers, vehicles, and operational capital. Licensing fees and other revenue streams will be insufficient to cover the expenditures,” said the analyst.

He urges regulators at the NBE to focus on developing more efficient regulatory mechanisms rather than attempting to set up an outsized regulatory institution.

“The bill has too many provisions. Existing insurers will need to acquire new licenses under new categories. This will be difficult for them,” said Abdulmenan.

On the other hand, Ethiopian insurers have long been calling for an autonomous regulator. Many in the industry believe that an independent regulator would allow it to receive the attention and support it needs for growth, help attract international investment, and advocate more actively on its behalf.

“An independent regulatory agency that will focus on insurance is vital. So far, our operations, activities, and concerns are relegated to second place because the NBE appears to prioritize the banking sector,” Hibret Insurance CEO Meseret Bezabih told The Reporter last year.

The Ethiopian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and of the press. The country has also adopted ratified such international instruments as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all of which enshrine press freedom. Yet the lived reality for journalists and media houses is starkly different. Reporters are routinely harassed, detained, or prosecuted under sweeping laws that criminalize dissent. Media outlets struggle with political intimidation, limited access to information, and financial precarity. The cumulative effect is a shrinking private press, increasingly dwarfed by state-affiliated outlets that dominate the narrative.

The threat is not abstract. Several private newspapers and broadcasters have closed in recent years, unable to withstand economic pressures or political hostility. Those that remain often resort to self-censorship to avoid confrontation with authorities. This constriction of voices undermines the public’s right to diverse information and weakens Ethiopia’s democratic fabric. In a country as complex and divided as Ethiopia, silencing independent journalism is dangerous. Without a free press, corruption flourishes unchecked, grievances fester unacknowledged, and citizens lose the ability to hold leaders accountable.

The government bears primary responsibility for reversing this trajectory. It must move beyond rhetorical commitments to press freedom and take concrete steps to protect it. Laws that criminalize legitimate journalistic work should be reformed. It also needs to see to it that journalists do not face prosecution for reporting on sensitive issues or criticizing officials. It is further incumbent on it to guarantee access to information, with government institutions compelled to operate transparently. Economic support mechanisms, such as tax incentives or subsidies, could help private outlets survive in a challenging market. Above all, authorities are duty-bound to put an end to the culture of intimidation so that journalists can work without fear of harassment or violence.

At the same time, the private press itself must rise to the challenge. Professionalism and ethical standards are essential to building credibility and resilience. Media houses must invest in training, fact-checking, and investigative reporting. Collaboration among outlets is avital in terms of pooling resources and amplify voices. Diversifying revenue streams—through subscriptions, digital platforms, or partnerships—can reduce dependence on precarious advertising markets. Strengthening their own institutions is sure to go a long way towards enabling the private media better withstand external pressures and serve the public faithfully.

Civil society and international partners also have a role to play. Press freedom is not only a domestic issue; it is a global concern. Organizations that support journalism should provide training, funding, and advocacy. International pressure can help deter abuses and encourage reforms. Citizens, too, must recognize the value of independent journalism and support it, whether through subscriptions, readership, or solidarity. A free press serves the public interest, and its survival, depends on public commitment.

The stakes could not be higher. Ethiopia’s democratic experiment is fragile, and without a free press, it cannot succeed. Journalism is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the mechanism through which citizens are informed, leaders are held accountable, and society confronts its challenges honestly. To allow the private press to wither is to weaken democracy itself.

World Press Freedom Day should serve as a wake-up call. The government should act decisively to protect its private press, not only for the sake of journalists but also for the sake of its citizens and its future. The government must reform laws, guarantee access to information, and end intimidation. On its part the press ought to strengthen professionalism and resilience. Civil society and international partners also owe the obligation to provide support and advocacy. Together, these measures can contribute to ensuring that Ethiopia’s constitutional and international commitments to press freedom go beyond being hollow promises and actually are implemented in their letter and spirit.

The imperative is clear: press freedom must be defended, not assaulted as something which spells a danger for national security. Ethiopia’s private press is facing an existential threat, but it can be saved. The time to act is now, before silence replaces speech, before propaganda replaces truth, and before democracy itself is imperiled.

The federal government has disclosed that Eurobond payments initially expected during the current fiscal year have been deferred for five years under ongoing debt restructuring arrangements, while liabilities linked to the state-owned Ethiopian Railway Corporation could be transferred to the Ministry of Finance after the corporation failed to generate sufficient revenue to service its obligations.

Officials stated that payments to China may also begin within the remaining two months of the fiscal year once pending legal agreements are finalized under the country’s debt restructuring process.

The disclosure was made by Finance Minister Ahmed Shide during a review session held by the parliamentary Plan, Budget and Finance Affairs Standing Committee, according to information obtained by The Reporter.

The session reviewed the Ministry’s nine-month implementation performance for the 2025/26 Ethiopian fiscal year.

The Ministry’s report presented a broad picture of Ethiopia’s fiscal, debt, revenue, and macroeconomic performance, while also outlining ongoing negotiations with external creditors and development partners under the country’s macroeconomic reform program.

According to the report, Ethiopia’s total outstanding external debt stock remains at USD 33.5 billion. The debt figure combines obligations held directly by the federal government (USD 22.1 billion) through the Ministry of Finance together with liabilities linked to state-owned development enterprises (USD 11.4 billion).

Meanwhile domestic debt has soared to close to 2.9 trillion Birr, up from 2.1 trillion Birr two years ago.

Ministry officials told MPs that debt carried by state enterprises has declined significantly following macroeconomic reforms that shifted major liabilities previously borrowed from the National Bank of Ethiopia onto the federal budget framework administered by the Ministry of Finance.

Officials further disclosed that some liabilities currently held by the Ethiopian Railway Corporation may soon be transferred to the Ministry because the corporation lacks adequate operational revenue to continue servicing the loans.

The report linked the latest developments to Ethiopia’s ongoing restructuring negotiations under the G20 Common Framework.

According to the Ministry, Ethiopia has already reached agreements with 15 creditor countries under the framework. Bilateral legal agreements with Italy and France have reportedly been signed, while negotiations with China are nearing completion.

Officials stated that once the debt restructuring process is finalized, Ethiopia is expected to move from what they described as a “high risk” debt classification to a “moderate risk” level.

The Ministry also stated that Eurobond obligations originally anticipated during the current fiscal year have now been pushed back by five years, reducing immediate external repayment pressure on government finances.

The report added that payments to China could begin within the remaining months of the fiscal year once final legal arrangements are completed.

Ministry officials disclosed that while the federal budget allocated just over 64 billion Birr to debt service this year, over 77 billion Birr has been directed to debt repayment over the first three quarters. This includes nearly 27 billion Birr in interest payments.

At the same time, officials acknowledged that domestic debt levels continue to rise, owing largely to a sharp increase in government borrowing through treasury bills and bond sales during the reporting period.

The federal budget anticipated a fiscal deficit of 277.5 billion Birr for the 2025/6 fiscal year, and the government had initially banked on raising 208 billion Birr through treasury bill borrowing. However, actual domestic borrowing through treasury bills and bond sales reached 234.4 billion Birr during the reporting period.

The Ministry attributed the higher borrowing level partly to delays in expected external budget support that had initially been scheduled to arrive in January.

The delayed support has since entered government accounts, officials said, with more than 100 billion Birr reportedly disbursed recently.

They indicated that treasury bill issuance is expected to decline significantly during the coming quarters as external financing and budget support linked to institutions including the World Bank enters the treasury system.

The Ministry also reiterated that no direct advances had been taken from the National Bank of Ethiopia during the nine-month period to finance the budget deficit. Instead, authorities said the fiscal deficit had been financed through treasury bills, bond sales, and support from development partners.

The report further disclosed that Ethiopia had secured a little over one billion dollars  in external budget support from the World Bank and other development partners during the reporting period.

Additional support is expected during the remaining months of the fiscal year following discussions held in the United States with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, according to the Ministry.

Authorities also claimed donor confidence in Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform agenda had improved significantly.

The report cited multiple Development Policy Operations and direct budget support arrangements, including an initial 1.5 billion-dollar package, a second two-billion-dollar package, and another support package under negotiation involving the World Bank and Italy totaling around 1.6 billion dollars.

The European Union was also said to have unlocked nearly 100 million euros in budget support, while Germany and France were preparing additional financing arrangements.

Officials described the relationship with development partners as “very strong,” noting a shift from project-based assistance toward direct budget support mechanisms.

The Ministry additionally addressed the suspension of USAID operations, stating that the closure affected health, education, food assistance, and capacity-building programs previously supported by the agency.

Despite the suspension, authorities stated that negotiations with the United States government resulted in a new commitment framework exceeding one billion dollars annually in future support flows.

On the revenue side, the report showed substantial growth in federal tax collection.

Federal tax revenue collected during the first nine months reportedly increased from 548.4 billion Birr in the previous fiscal year to 987 billion Birr during the same period this year. Officials hope the jump will ensure a rise in Ethiopia’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 7.8 percent to above 9.2 percent.

The Ministry described federal revenue performance as operating at a “very strong level” and attributed the improvement to tax policy reforms, administrative modernization, customs reform measures, and expanding digitalization systems.

The report disclosed that total federal expenditures over the nine-month period had topped 1.34 trillion Birr, while actual spending reached 1.2 trillion Birr. Officials stated that expenditure implementation remained largely aligned with the approved fiscal framework. Parliament has approved a 1.97 trillion Birr federal budget this year.

Of the total spent so far, 615 billion Birr was allocated to recurrent spending, while 261 billion Birr went toward capital expenditure. An additional 326.6 billion Birr was transferred to regional states.

The report indicated that actual transfers to regional governments exceeded planned levels due to supplementary wage-related support arrangements.

The Ministry also outlined extensive subsidy and support expenditures implemented during the reporting period. Authorities stated that 43 billion Birr had been allocated as tax subsidies for essential food commodities, while 82 billion Birr was allocated for fertilizer subsidies.

Combined expenditure on fuel subsidies, food security programs, and broader social support measures reached 275 billion Birr during the reporting period.

The report also contained government claims that inflation had declined to 9.4 percent in March, which officials attributed to coordinated fiscal and monetary policy measures implemented under the macroeconomic reform program.

At the same time, the report projected that Ethiopia’s economic growth would reach 10.2 percent during the current fiscal year.

“This is not only among the fastest growth rates in Africa, but also in the world,” the presentation stated.

The Ministry additionally reported progress in electronic public finance reforms.

Officials stated that electronic payments totaling 468.1 billion Birr had been processed during the reporting period, while the Integrated Financial Management Information System, known as EFMIS, had expanded to 147 federal institutions.

According to the report, 97 percent of the federal government budget approved for the fiscal year is currently administered through the EFMIS system.

Authorities also disclosed that 553 cyber threats targeting EFMIS, electronic procurement systems, and official government email infrastructure had been blocked during the reporting period.