Blen Hailu

Ethiopia's Nascent Stock Market Unveils Mobile App Aimed at Expanding Retail Investor Base

The Ethiopian Securities Exchange launched Neway, a mobile app to bring market data and trading closer to everyday citizens.

A City Under Construction, A Profession in Transition

Addis Ababa’s urban renewal is reshaping how the city remembers itself. As corridors widen and parks bloom photographers are moving from studios into the street.

Green intentions, Grey areas: Ethiopia’s Plastic Ban Meets Market Reality

Plastic once accounted for just 3% of urban solid waste in Ethiopia. Now it is at the center of a national reckoning over policy speed, industrial readiness, and the real cost of going green.

Cupid’s Currency: Global Trade Shapes Addis Ababa’s Valentine’s Day Roses

One rose for 100 Birr. Demand spikes, supply lags, and global exports leave locals navigating leftover blooms. Local buyers pay double as exports dominate.

From Check-In to Check-Ups: Why Some Addis Ababa Hotels Converted to Hospitals

After COVID-19 hollowed out hospitality, private healthcare stepped in. Hotels with empty rooms found new life as inpatient wards, reimagining urban economics and access to care.

EdTech in Practice: Lessons from a Fellowship Pitch in Addis Ababa

From AI tutoring to SMS-based school platforms, Ethiopia’s EdTech ecosystem is experimenting with different paths to reach displaced and underserved learners.