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.

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.

Speaking on Friday at an event celebrating World Press Freedom Day at Elilly Hotel, Getu Asseffa, representing UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office Director Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, said journalism remains “more essential than ever” amid increasing attacks on journalists, disinformation, and economic pressures facing media institutions.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Media Council and the Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations.

Addressing participants, Getu said this year’s theme highlights the link between press freedom, democracy, and peacebuilding. UNESCO’s latest World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development report noted that 93 journalists were killed this year.

“Behind every statistic is a silenced voice and a story left untold,” he said, adding that societies lose access to truthful and independent information when journalists fear reprisals.

The speech also highlighted the role of responsible journalism during elections, particularly in countering misinformation and reducing tensions.

He said, “Here in Africa, and particularly in Ethiopia, we stand at an important moment. Ethiopia’s democratic trajectory, vibrant public discourse, and upcoming electoral processes underscore the essential role of a free, independent, and responsible media.”

Getu said technological changes driven by artificial intelligence and digital platforms are reshaping journalism, creating both opportunities and risks for media institutions. While AI can support investigative reporting, he warned it can also accelerate the spread of disinformation and distort public debate.

UNESCO also outlined recent initiatives in Ethiopia aimed at strengthening media freedom and journalist safety. The organization said it partnered with the Ethiopian Police University to provide specialized training for police officers and journalists ahead of the elections on issues related to freedom of expression, access to information, and journalist safety.

The organization further announced support for the establishment of the Lawyers for Media Association, an initiative intended to strengthen legal expertise on media law and protections for journalists.

The report from FSD Ethiopia, a non-government agency funded by the UK government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, points to what the report describes as an “invisible” merchant economy, where vast amounts of transaction data exist but remain unusable for formal financial intermediation.

It indicates that digital adoption among merchants has surged, particularly through mobile banking platforms, with one system alone serving 83.2 percent of digital merchants.

However, this growth has not translated into improved access to finance. Instead, the data generated through these transactions remains “invisible to credit underwriters,” effectively locking out small businesses from formal lending systems.

“CBE Mobile Banking, the primary provider for 83.2 percent of digital merchants, holds years of transaction data for the majority of Ethiopia’s merchant economy. However, this data cannot effectively support credit underwriting until merchants transition to business-designated accounts,” reads the report.

This disconnect highlights a significant supply-side failure in the financial sector. While merchants are actively using digital tools, the absence of tailored product design and onboarding mechanisms has prevented them from transitioning into formal business accounts. As a result, the report indicates that the financial system continues to overlook a critical segment of the economy despite clear evidence of activity and cash flow.

The document notes, “with 67 percent of micro-enterprises already holding a formal business license, a rate higher than in many comparable markets, the primary constraint is not documentation, but rather product design, onboarding models and commercial incentive structures.”

According to the report, this represents a supply side market failure with direct implications for credit access, data visibility, and regulatory oversight. Further compounding the issue is the uneven distribution of digital infrastructure across the country.

The report identifies a stark divide between urban and rural areas, with digital payment adoption standing at 69.2 percent in cities compared to just 26.4 percent in rural regions. This disparity is attributed not to temporary delays but to structural challenges, particularly connectivity constraints.

Connectivity remains the single largest barrier, cited by 22.7 percent of merchants, surpassing even cost-related concerns. The document frames this as a foundational issue, raising questions about the feasibility of long term digitalization strategies in areas where basic infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Without addressing these constraints, the expansion of digital financial services risks remaining concentrated in urban centers.

At the same time, headline figures suggest rapid growth in digital finance. Mobile money accounts, for instance, increased dramatically from 12.2 million in 2020 to 139.5 million by 2025. However, the report cautions that this growth may not reflect genuine usage. Internal data shows that only 15 percent of these accounts are active.

“National Bank of Ethiopia’s own NDPS 2.0 draft acknowledges that only 15 percent of mobile money accounts are active and merchant payments accounted for less than 0.2 percent of total digital transactions in 2023/24,” it reads.

Much of the increase, according to the report, has been driven by “compulsory use cases,” including mandated digital payments for specific services such as fuel suggesting that while account ownership has expanded, actual engagement with digital financial tools remains limited.

The report also warns that emerging regulatory requirements could unintentionally deepen exclusion within the merchant economy.

Policies mandating the use of national digital identification systems, such as Fayda, or requiring formal business registration for digital transactions may “entrench exclusion” rather than reduce it.

Current figures indicate that only 39 percent of merchants possess a Fayda ID, while formal registration among rural enterprises stands at just 44.3 percent.

“Policies or mandates that require Fayda or business registration as prerequisites for digital payment acceptance risk entrenching exclusion rather than expanding coverage,” the report cautions.

Meanwhile, access to credit remains a persistent challenge. The report identifies strong demand among micro-enterprises, with 44.5 percent, equivalent to approximately 222,000 businesses, indicating that they would benefit from access to financing. Despite this demand, formal digital lending platforms account for less than five percent of borrowing.

As a result, most merchants continue to rely on informal sources, including family and friends, to meet their financing needs. This reliance underscores what the report describes as an “informal credit trap,” where businesses are unable to scale due to limited access to structured financial products.

The issue is particularly pronounced in the segment about businesses seeking loans in the range of 100,000 to 500,000 Birr.

“Based on rough data, [Ethiopia] has over 130 million citizens, yet the total number of shareholders across all sectors is not even more than half a million—and that figure is inflated. Once duplication is accounted for, it is even lower. Meanwhile, countries with smaller populations have far more investors,” she said during a ceremony marking the handover of a capital market service provider license to Prime Capital S.C, which is joining the financial sector as an investment bank.

“Although Prime Investment Bank has become the sixth to receive a license, there is still a lot expected of us to actually operate in this sector,” said Hana, noting that market participants had “brought together shareholders, raised capital, prepared documents, and even rented offices to establish an institutional structure.”

She described the current period as not only a time of capital market development in Ethiopia but also a highly formative stage for its broader financial system, urging newly licensed institutions to take a broader view of their role.

 “The work we do is not merely transactional. It is not about counting activities, but about the role those activities play in the market and in supporting national growth and development by providing alternative financing options that the country needs,” she said.

The head of the Authority also urged firms to assess client needs in detail and study investor behavior, stating they must understand “what types of investors exist… what their risk appetite looks like… and the characteristics and backgrounds of the investor base,” adding that this requires “careful study and observation.”

On expanding access, the DG stressed the need to leverage technology, saying, “people should not have to come to your offices to open accounts… if we rely on that, we may only get hundreds of account openings.”

“In this era of widespread AI and technology, you must build systems, through mobile applications, websites, or other means, that allow people to easily open accounts and transmit trading orders,” she added.

The case filed by the local civil society organization, which seeks legal remedy for millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs), has faced repeated postponements, at times merely to issue a summons, Tesfalem Berhe, director of HRF told The Reporter.

The lawsuit itself, filed before the Federal High Court’s Fundamental Human Rights Protection Bench, names the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Peace, the Tigray Interim Administration, and the Amhara and Oromia regional governments as defendants. It seeks court orders compelling authorities to ensure the safe return, security, and sustainable reintegration of displaced populations.

However, court proceedings have been repeatedly delayed. In January 2026, the Federal High Court postponed a scheduled hearing for the fifth time after court administrators cited a shortage of judges. The postponement at the beginning of the year came as Parliament appointed 34 new federal judges, who had formally entered service but had not yet been assigned to hear cases.

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs at the time told The Reporter that they were informed that the case would eventually be heard by a panel of three judges within 15 days. However, this marked yet another delay in a case that has struggled to move forward since its filing.

Since January 2026, court records and administrative tracking documents reviewed by The Reporter further underscore the extent of procedural delays, showing multiple scheduled dates repeatedly entered and deferred without substantive progress.

The petition before the court outlines the scale and severity of internal displacement in Ethiopia, tracing its origins to the outbreak of war in the Tigray region on December 3, 2020. According to case documents, citizens of Tigrayan origin were displaced from areas including Western Tigray Zone and Shehet Woreda in the Afar Region.

More than one million displaced persons remain unable to return to their homes, the filing states, with many currently living in temporary shelters or with host communities across the Tigray region. Areas identified include Shiraro, Shire, Axum, Adwa, Tembien, Adigrat, and Mekelle.

The lawsuit also highlights displacement beyond Tigray. Nearly 520,000 individuals from Oromia are reportedly sheltering in Debre Birhan and the North Wollo Zone of the Amhara region. An additional 84,000 IDPs within Oromia remain displaced in temporary settings.

Human Rights First Ethiopia contends that these populations continue to endure harsh living conditions due to the absence of durable solutions and coordinated government action. The organization argues that the prolonged displacement constitutes a violation of constitutional and international obligations, attributing responsibility to both federal and regional authorities.

Beyond the specifics of the case, the organization frames the issue as part of a broader institutional challenge.

Data presented by Aqua for All, a Netherlands-based NGO working in water and sanitation projects in Africa and Asia, revealed that only a dozen of the nearly 90 financial institutions in Ethiopia have a dedicated water and sanitation credit line.

Hezkel Aynalem, CEO of the program, stated that private sector risk perceptions, policy constraints, and weak project pipelines limit lending to the sector despite evidence of high repayment rates.

“There is perceived high risk and non-return, limited understanding of the WASH sector,” he said, noting that most financial institutions “think there is no business case for the water sector.”

The financing shortfall comes as Ethiopia requires approximately USD 2.2 billion annually to meet water and sanitation targets but faces a gap of USD 1.14 billion each year. Per capita spending has remained largely unchanged at about USD 12 over the past decade.

Globally, the sector faces an annual USD 138 billion deficit, with Sub-Saharan Africa needing to increase spending by 9.5 times current levels, and fragile states requiring up to 42 times more investment.

Hezkel identified multiple systemic barriers limiting private finance, including lack of data, weak pipelines of investment-ready projects, and regulatory constraints.

“There is no reference to the default. There is no reference to the return. There is no reference to how to market this sector,” he said, describing the absence of nationwide sectoral data as a major bottleneck.

He also pointed to “weak link between market development and finance,” noting that the pipeline of bankable WASH projects remains underdeveloped.

“Incentives are misaligned. Public funds are not sufficiently crowding in the private sector,” Hezkel said, adding that financial institutions require mechanisms that both reduce risk and demonstrate returns.

Foreign exchange shortages were also highlighted as a constraint affecting WASH-related businesses reliant on imported inputs, alongside broader macroeconomic challenges.

The Aqua for All WASH Finance Program, currently in its 2024–2026 phase, aims to address these barriers by working directly with banks and microfinance institutions to establish dedicated credit lines and build a financing ecosystem.

According to the CEO, the program is designed to address these barriers by de-risking investments and building a pipeline of finance-ready projects through partnerships with microfinance institutions, banks, and government stakeholders.

It also includes technical assistance, development of standardized WASH financing toolkits, and creation of a revolving credit facility linking banks and microfinance institutions.

“We needed to link microfinances with banks… we create a revolving credit facility,” Hezkel said, describing a model that supports both wholesale lending to microfinance institutions and direct lending to households and small enterprises.

Participating institutions include multiple microfinance providers and banks, with a mix of private and public entities involved to “diversify the portfolio and generate evidence that this works.”

According to the CEO, the program’s early results show that microfinance institutions can deliver WASH loans at scale.

“The microfinance have 97 percent return rates to loans,” he said, presenting repayment performance as evidence against prevailing risk perceptions.

Hezkel emphasized that initial incentives and technical support are necessary to onboard financial institutions, but “once the financial sector builds confidence… you don’t need any more support.”

Program data indicates that nearly 16,800 households and over 400 small enterprises have been financed so far, reaching more than 87,000 beneficiaries and generating close to 3,000 jobs.

Hezkel said traditional public financing mechanisms, “tax and transfer”, are insufficient to meet growing demand. “The funding… is simply not sufficient to meet the people and beyond to achieve universal access,” he said.

“Private finance is not an option, but a very essential step,” he added, calling for expanded participation from banks, microfinance institutions, and other private sector actors.

The meeting, which began on April 15, 2026, is widely expected to focus on the fallout from the extension of Interim Administration President Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede’s mandate, an issue that has exposed a widening divide between TPLF and the current regional leadership.

Though the TPLF refrained from explicitly stating that its central committee meeting would focus on the TIA president, it has confirmed that it is convening a formal session, stating that the meeting, launched on this Wednesday is expected to deliberate “in depth” on key agenda items and evolving political developments, with concrete directions and decisions anticipated.

Regional political leaders who spoke to The Reporter maintain that the language is deliberately vague, noting that when a party at this level signals “decisions,” it usually means internal consensus has already been shaped and the meeting is about formalizing a course of action, not debating one.

Politicians and observers say the gathering could produce decisions that directly challenge the legitimacy of the interim administration, raising the risk of renewed confrontation with the federal government.

Yosef Berhe, vice chairman of the Baytona Party, expressed his belief that the TPLF is seeking to dismantle the interim arrangement and reinstate the pre-war regional government. He warned that the party may formally reject the president’s appointment and begin moves to reassert its former authority.

“They could declare that they do not accept the president and proceed to restore the previous government,” he said.

However, he also suggested that TPLF is unlikely to make such a move outright, given the risk of triggering another conflict. Instead, he predicts its central committee may attempt to frame the push as a grassroots demand originating from local councils, a strategy the politician says has already been used in parts of the Central Zone, where three woreda councils have called for the dissolution of the interim administration.

“This is often presented as public pressure, but it is coordinated,” he said, adding that ambiguous statements could be used to gradually undermine the current administration without directly escalating tensions.

He also noted that TPLF often frames such moves as public demands and may issue ambiguous statements to create pressure on the interim administration, similar to what occurred during Getachew Reda’s tenure. According to him, they may avoid directly rejecting Tadesse but instead argue that his appointment process is illegitimate.

Alemseged Aragay, vice chairman and foreign relations head of Tigray Independence Party (TIP), warns that the situation has reached a dangerous turning point. While he believes that TIA President Lt. Tadesse had previously aligned with TPLF’s interests, the party has now shifted to openly rejecting the extension of his tenure.

He stated that he believes the TIA President had for long been implementing TPLF’s interests over the past year. However, he noted that TPLF has now declared the president’s power extension as illegal and unacceptable, “raising the possibility of renewed conflict.”

Although there are many factors that could lead to war, Alemseged emphasized that the region is not in a position to endure another round of conflict. He added that if TPLF rejects the president, it is unlikely that relations with the federal government will remain stable.

“The region is not in a position to carry another round of war,” he said.

The controversy follows an announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister on April 8 that the term of Lieutenant General Tadesse Worede, who had led the Tigray Interim Administration for one year, has been extended by another year.

Following this extension, numerous reactions have emerged. In particular, TPLF stated that the extension violates the Pretoria Agreement and lacks legitimacy, fueling widespread reports claiming that there is a growing rift between the president and TPLF.

President Tadesse also gave a briefing this week addressing these and related issues. In his remarks, he revealed that the budget allocated to the Tigray region had been cut off since October and that relations with the federal government had been severed for the past three months.

He explained that although an agreement had previously been reached to ease tensions following developments in Tselemt (a contested area between the TIA and Amhara regional government), there had been no communication with the federal government for about three months, except at the level of offices and ministries.

Regarding opposition to the extension of his term, he said, “Saying ‘we do not accept it’ is a matter of rights, so there is nothing I can do about it.” However, he added that rejecting the appointment itself is not acceptable, describing such a stance as “childish.”

Responding to criticism about traveling alone to Addis Ababa, he said, “Tigray’s politics is difficult; it has become like a husband and wife who do not trust each other and quarrel.”

He then stated that although he would have preferred to travel with cabinet members, he was uncertain how they would be received.

The president also acknowledged that there is interest in restoring the pre-war government and regional council but stressed that any process must follow legal and institutional procedures. He warned that “attempting to change government through social media agitation and unrest” is not only incorrect but could lead to conflict.

 “The people of Tigray have had enough of war. I have fought for more than 50 years; I am not someone who acts simply because I am told to do so,” said Tadesse.

Former fighters and TPLF central committee members have also voiced opposition through the TPLF-affiliated Woyen newspaper, arguing that the appointment violates the Pretoria Agreement and that the region should not be governed by what they described as a “puppet” administration.

They stated that appointing leadership in violation of the agreement indicates a lack of commitment to peace and that restoring the former government would help return the region to its previous status.

The TPLF has then began its meeting in Axum on Wednesday  as political actors and observers say this signals growing pressure on Tadesse’s administration and suggest he may face a fate similar to that of Getachew Reda.

For his part, the president reiterated that while there is interest in restoring the former government, all actions must follow legal procedures.

The joint projection revealed by the African Development Bank, African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the UN Development Programme comes amid broader warnings that oil importing countries across Africa will experience mounting macroeconomic strain as global commodity prices surge.

The report indicates that Ethiopia’s inflation outlook aligns with a wider continental trend, where multiple economies are expected to post double digit inflation, including Egypt at 12.6 percent and Nigeria at 15.6 percent.

The document states that while oil-exporting countries such as Nigeria and Angola could benefit from higher oil prices, production challenges and global trade blockades may limit their ability to capitalize. 

The inflationary pressures are linked primarily to sharp increases in global oil prices following disruptions in supply chains and trade routes.

According to the document, Africa’s total oil import bill stood at approximately USD 100 billion in 2024, and rising prices are expected to impose additional fiscal burdens on governments while driving up the cost of living for households.

The report states that net oil importer countries of the continent, a condition shared by the majority of African economies with 80 percent of countries on the continent dependent on imported oil, higher global prices are translating into increased import costs, exchange rate pressures, and inflation transmitted through domestic markets.

East Africa alone imported close to 530,000 barrels a day from the Middle East prior to the conflict, according to the report.

It notes that the import bill in net oil importing countries could rise, exerting depreciation pressure on their currencies, depleting foreign exchange reserves, and heightening the need for external support for fiscal stabilization and financing for development.

Conversely, fuel price increases are already feeding into broader price dynamics. The document notes that transportation costs account for between 30 percent and 50 percent of final food prices in many African markets. As a result, higher fuel costs are expected to push up food prices over subsequent months, reinforcing inflationary trends.

Beyond energy, the report highlights a second major inflation driver, fertilizer supply disruptions where approximately 30 percent of Africa’s fertilizer imports originate from or transit through the Gulf region, which has been affected by the ongoing conflict.

Iran alone accounts for about seven percent of fertilizer supplies to the continent.

The timing of these disruptions coincides with the March to May planting season in many African countries, raising concerns about agricultural output. The report warns that shortages and rising fertilizer prices could reduce productivity in the medium term, leading to higher food prices and exacerbating inflation.

At the household level, the impact is expected to be pronounced. Across Africa, poorer households spend between 50 percent and 60 percent of their incomes on food, making them particularly sensitive to price increases. Rising costs of energy, food, and agricultural inputs are therefore likely to intensify cost of living pressures.

The document warns that the shortage of fertilizers, compounded by the increase of

their prices will significantly affect output and productivity in the medium term and push up food prices, which would exacerbate hunger and malnutrition across the continent.

The joint assessment document has urged African countries to accelerate the development of local and regional fertilizer production systems to reduce agricultural vulnerability stemming from reliance on imports and exposure to external supply disruptions, with emphasis placed on building more resilient, locally anchored supply chains.

Its recommendations also highlight the need for increased investment in agricultural research, soil health, and integrated soil fertility management, alongside support for biofertilizers, biological inputs, and nitrogen-fixing crops.

The report also outlines broader macroeconomic risks tied to global trade disruptions. Instability in key maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, is increasing freight costs and delivery times.

Shipping rerouting is estimated to extend transit times by 10 to 15 days and raise freight costs by 20 to 40 percent, contributing to higher import prices across the continent.

These disruptions are occurring alongside volatility in financial markets and exchange rates. The document noted that Since the onset of the conflict, multiple African currencies have depreciated against the US dollar, increasing the local currency cost of imports, including fuel, fertilizer, and food.

Despite these pressures, the report states that Ethiopia is also benefiting from specific logistical and strategic developments.

The country’s role in the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor and its position as an aviation hub through Ethiopian Airlines are cited as areas of relative gain. However, these benefits are described as likely to be uneven and may not offset the wider inflationary, fiscal, and food-security pressures affecting the continent, according to the assessment.

The first idea Tesfamikael Tekleberhan and his colleagues considered was straightforward: a digital platform that would provide answers to textbook questions for students.

The concept emerged four years ago, as a group of young entrepreneurs explored opportunities in Ethiopia’s expanding digital sector. At the time, the proposal appeared both practical and commercially viable.

“At the beginning, we discussed creating a platform that would show solutions to textbook questions like classwork and homework,” Tesfamikael said.

Textbooks remain central to Ethiopia’s education system, and a service offering ready-made solutions to exercises had clear market potential. But the group reconsidered.

“Although the proposed platform could have gained market traction in a short time, we realized it would not help students truly understand their lessons,” he said.

Instead of focusing on answers, the team shifted toward building a platform designed to support learning itself. That decision led to the creation of A Plus Online Tutors, an Ethiopian education technology startup offering structured tutorials for students from Grade 5 to Grade 12.

The platform is designed to allow students to learn at their own pace, a model that developers say addresses gaps in a system where classrooms are often large and teachers have limited capacity to provide individualized support.

A Plus Online Tutors has attracted more than 10,000 subscribers, each paying a monthly fee of 300 birr, according to the company.

The startup is part of a growing group of Ethiopian EdTech firms seeking to expand access to education through digital tools.

Their efforts were on display in late March 2026, when Addis Ababa hosted a High-Level EdTech Demo Day and Investment Forum, part of a broader EdTech Week held under the theme “Integrating EdTech for Inclusive, Impactful, and Gender-Responsive Learning.”

The event, organized by Reach for Change Ethiopia in partnership with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education and supported by the Mastercard Foundation, brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers and investors focused on the role of technology in education.

Discussions at the forum centered on how digital solutions could help address the country’s education challenges, including expanding access and improving learning outcomes for millions of students.

For A Plus Online Tutors, the forum served as both a showcase and a proving ground.

Presenting to investors and policymakers, Tesfamikael outlined not only the platform the company had developed, but also the direction it had chosen to pursue. Beyond its digital offering, the startup is testing a hybrid model that combines online learning with in-person study environments.

The approach reflects broader constraints in Ethiopia, where access to devices, reliable internet and suitable study spaces remains uneven.

At the forum, the company introduced a plan to establish neighborhood-based study centers within condominium communities. The model is designed to provide students with a structured setting after school, where they can access lessons through the platform while also engaging in group-based learning.

According to Tesfamikael, students attend sessions where they use audio-visual materials, discuss lessons with peers and receive guidance from facilitators. The format also incorporates opportunities for students to present what they have learned and complete assignments within the center.

The company currently operates one study center as a pilot. It plans to expand to 30 centers across Addis Ababa within a year, each designed to accommodate up to 600 students. A further expansion to 50 centers is under consideration for the following year.

The proposed scale would represent a significant increase in access to supplementary learning spaces in the capital, particularly for students who may lack adequate study environments at home.

“These study spaces are designed so that students can access quality education in a standard and structured environment close to their homes,” Tesfamikael says.

To support this expansion, A Plus Online Tutors is seeking investment and strategic partnerships. Company representatives used the forum to engage potential backers and present the model as a scalable solution within Ethiopia’s education sector.

The event also marked 10 years of operations for Reach for Change Ethiopia and highlighted a broader shift toward building long-term support systems for education-focused enterprises.

As part of a new five-year initiative, Reach for Change Ethiopia announced grants of up to USD 60,000 for early-stage EdTech companies, alongside technical support that includes marketing training, business coaching and digital content design courses delivered in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University.

The program is structured in phases and tied to performance milestones, reflecting a broader effort to support startups beyond initial funding.

At the center of the initiative is the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, a three-year acceleration program designed to support three cohorts of 12 enterprises each. A Plus Online Tutors is part of the second cohort.

Company representatives say the fellowship has contributed to refining their business model, strengthening partnerships and preparing for expansion.

“We have redefined the concept of educational impact, optimized our solutions to enhance the learning experience, forged strategic alliances, and made substantial progress in expanding our social contributions,” he further stated.

Government officials have also signaled support for the sector. Speaking at the opening of EdTech Week, Kindeya Gebrehiwot (Prof.) said expanding the use of education technology has “significant national benefit” and plays a role in improving both access and quality in education.

Officials from the Ministry of Innovation and Technology highlighted the government’s broader digital transformation agenda, pointing to efforts aimed at aligning technological development with social and economic priorities.

Despite growing interest and investment, structural challenges remain. Limited infrastructure, uneven internet access and affordability constraints continue to affect the reach of digital learning platforms.

Some startups are adapting their models in response. A Plus Online Tutors’ hybrid approach, which combines digital content with physical study centers, is designed to address gaps in access while maintaining a structured learning environment.

The model, however, introduces additional operational and financial demands, including the need for sustained investment and logistical coordination as the company expands.

A Plus Online Tutors reflects a broader shift among Ethiopian education technology startups, many of which are seeking to move beyond content delivery toward more comprehensive learning models.

The company’s approach emphasizes guided learning rather than answer-based solutions. This approach was echoed during discussions at the forum, where participants highlighted the potential for technology to complement and, in some cases, enhance traditional education systems.

Ethiopia’s push to expand access to education for a rapidly growing student population has placed increasing attention on such innovations. Policymakers and industry stakeholders have pointed to EdTech as one of several tools that could help address capacity constraints in the sector.

As the two-day forum concluded, announcements were made, partnerships explored and new initiatives introduced, though many emphasized that implementation remains the primary challenge.

For Reach for Change Ethiopia and its partners, the coming years will focus on translating programmatic support into measurable outcomes. For startups, the emphasis is on scaling operations while maintaining service quality.

While expectations around EdTech remain high, stakeholders at the forum underscored that its impact will ultimately be determined by how effectively solutions are deployed and sustained in real-world learning environments.