Mikiyas Mulugeta (PhD)

Ethiopian Startups Chase Green Innovation. Investors Stay Away

Rooftops in the outskirts of Addis Ababa shine with solar panels, but most Ethiopian climate startups still remain stuck in pilot mode. The missing ingredient appears not to be ideas, but finance.

Why African Ingenuity Needs Development Finance, Not Just Venture Bets

Development finance is not charity. It’s market-making. It de-risks new ventures, builds trust, and draws in private investors. Africa’s future unicorns will come not just from venture bets.

The VAT Standoff: Political Reality vs Fiscal Necessity in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s fiscal dilemma: more debt is unsustainable, cuts risk instability, and higher taxes risk backlash. The solution lies in reform closing loopholes, digitalizing collection, and a broad base.