Lealem Tilahun

[Zemedeneh Negatu @Zemedeneh]

UK-Ethiopia Investment Forum held successfully in London. The opening featured Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Gedion Timothewos.

I had the pleasure of moderating the “Digital Economy” panel with 3 great panelists:

A) Billene Seyoum, Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia

B) Andualem Admassie, Safaricom Ethiopia
C) Pavle Avramovic, Cambridge University

The digital economy panel discussed wide ranging topics including:

a) “Digital Ethiopia 2030”
b) Adopting AI throughout the economy
c) Training 5 million tech coders
d) MESOB one-stop-shop and how it delivers efficient digitized government services
e) The transformational impact of 100 million mobile phone subscribers in the country (85 million Ethiotelecom and 15 million Safaricom)
f) Digital regulations
g) Investment opportunities for international investors

One remarkable data: Today, up 80% of bank transactions in Ethiopia are digital. Just 4 years ago it was less than 30%.

The forum’s other panels were:
a) Energy
b) Mobility
c) Manufacturing
d) Agro
e) Mining
f) Logistics

A panel focused on “The UK Offer to Ethiopia” showcased how UK institutions support investments into Ethiopia.

Very good attendance and business networking opportunities. I expect increased investment and trade following the successful forum.

Big appreciation to everyone who made the Forum a success especially Ambassador Bruk Mekonnen and all the diplomats and staff at the Ethiopian Embassy in London, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UK Embassy in Addis Abeba, DMA invest and the UK government’s @tradegovAfrica

@ETEmbassyLDN @MFAEthiopia @UKinEthiopia

[Chakham @Chakham_Analyst]

Once again, the United States inserts itself where it has no business. Ethiopia merely exercises its elementary sovereign right to develop the Nile waters that originate on its own territory. The GERD is not an act of aggression; but an act of survival & self-determination for a people long denied the fruits of their own resources. No downstream state has veto power over the development of an upstream sovereign nation.
Egypt contributes virtually nothing to the Nile's flow yet demands to dictate its use...
Where was this American concern for "dispute resolution" when Egypt built and expanded the Aswan High Dam, with all its ecological and displacement consequences? Where is the scrutiny of Egypt's Toshka Project and other massive water diversions?
If the United States truly wants "talks," then let them be two-sided and honest: Ethiopia has every right to place Egyptian mega-projects on the table as well.
Donald Trump should stay out entirely. The dam issue is dead

[Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 @AbiyAhmedAli]

𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐈𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝟒𝟖+ 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐒 | 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐒

[Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 @AbiyAhmedAli]

The Green Legacy season is upon us. With more than eight billion seedlings raised and ready for planting, let us plant hope for a greener tomorrow.

[Zemedeneh Negatu @Zemedeneh]

My interview with South African Broadcast Corporation’s (SABC) Channel Africa about Africa’s airline industry (video).

I discussed the following key matters:

A) The planned large new aircraft order by Ethiopian Airlines (Africa’s largest carrier) from @BoeingAirplanes, @Airbus and now, possibly @embraer.

B) African airlines adapting to global and regional mega events: For instance—Covid and the current Middle East conflict which has doubled jet fuel prices and resulted in closure of several major travel destinations in the region.

C) The $12.5 billion, 110-million passengers Bishoftu International Airport, one of the largest in the world, currently under construction in Ethiopia. Disclosure: Our investment bank—@CBECapitalSC—has committed $1.0 billion in local currency equivalent as part of the airport’s overall financing.

D) Partnership amongst African airlines is essential. African airlines are very small by global standards and therefore, to be competitive and to be sustainably profitable, they need to collaborate. Currently, only one major African flag carrier is sustainably profitable out of all the airlines in 54 countries in Africa.

For instance, what was once Africa’s largest airline, @flySAA_US (SAA) and Kenya’s flag carrier, @KenyaAirways struggled for years despite heavy government subsidies and restructurings. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, does not have a national flag carrier or any other longterm sustainably profitable private carrier despite numerous efforts over the years.

Running a successful airline is a very expensive low margin business, and therefore, small stand alone African airlines can’t effectively compete. Hence, collaboration amongst African carriers, in cross-border equity investments for new startup airlines, full or partial mergers & acquisitions amongst established carriers, establishing regional MRO centers and pan African training facilities, etc, is essential.

Even the most advanced and richest economies—the U.S. and Europe—have consolidated their airlines to very few to better position them for global competition.

For example, Europe essentially has just three major airline groups (other than the LCCs)—@lufthansa, @airfrance-@KLM and IAG. The U.S. now has just five dominant giant carriers—@Delta, @AmericanAir, @SouthwestAir, @united and @AlaskaAir— with 80% market share. Africa needs to consider similar strategies.

To watch the full interview: https://t.co/DKZrGiX2Tv

@channelafrica1 @SABCNews @flyethiopian

[Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 @AbiyAhmedAli]

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒, 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟓 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄!

What we set out to achieve in three years, we have accomplished in less than two. Since the launch of the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative on July 23, 2024, Ethiopia has reached 5,005,146 enrollments across Programming, Data Analysis, Android Development, and Artificial Intelligence fundamentals. This is our testament to our people's determination and limitless potential.

This milestone is not where our ambition ends, it is where it accelerates further. With 7 million enrollments by August 2026 firmly within our vision, I call upon every Ethiopian to be part of this national mission.

To our young students, this summer is your opportunity. Do not let it pass idly. Register, learn, and return to your classrooms not just as students, but as certified digital leaders. The courses are free, the certification is internationally recognized.

The future you build starts today!

ENROLL NOW:
https://t.co/jj7srqm2HU

[Lealem Tilahun @leatn22]

over 54 million Ethiopians turned out to cast their votes peacefully and decisively. #EthiopiaElections2026 #ElectionSuccess #DemocracyInAction

[Horn Review @HornReview]

Ethiopia’s Election in Context: Moving Past Simplistic Narratives

By Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye (@BerhanuTsegaye), State Minister at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs @MFAEthiopia

https://t.co/aJUJ4T69IO

[Arsenal News @ArsenalNews_Hub]

I am told this was Ethiopia - Wow. Still Amazed with this African style of support.

[Zemedeneh Negatu @Zemedeneh]

Video of the dramatic and beautifully transformed capital city of the world’s second fastest growing economy and a major African business hub. It’s also the continent’s diplomatic center—HQ of the African Union (AU).

It took less than five years to transform it!

[Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 @AbiyAhmedAli]

HAPPY AFRICA DAY TO ALL OUR AFRICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

63 years ago, our forefathers gathered right here in Addis Ababa and dared to dream of a free, united Africa, and that dream still burns bright.

Today, as the proud home of the African Union, Ethiopia stands shoulder to shoulder with every African nation in that same spirit of unity.The work is far from over. Let us move from words to action, from promises to progress.

Africa's greatest resource has always been her people, and together, WE RISE!

#AfricaDay #Africa #Ethiopia

[The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia 🇪🇹 @MFAEthiopia]

Foreign Minister @GHessebon today received the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Waleed Elkhereiji, for discussions on bilateral relations and regional issues of common interest.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Gedion noted that Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia enjoy longstanding historical relations anchored in enduring people-to-people ties. He stated that, given the strong interconnectedness between the two countries, they share convergent views on many issues of mutual importance. He underscored the need to further strengthen the relationship for the benefit of the two countries. The Minister also emphasized the importance of safeguarding the wellbeing of Ethiopian citizens in Saudi Arabia and promoting the provision of legal employment opportunities for Ethiopian workers.

Eng. Waleed Elkhereiji, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for his part reiterated that Saudi Arabia highly values its longstanding historic relations with Ethiopia and its people. He also noted that legal labor migration is essential in ensuring safe employment opportunities for Ethiopian workers.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional peace and security issues, underscoring that dialogue remains the only viable means of finding political solutions to the various conflicts in the region.

[The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia 🇪🇹 @MFAEthiopia]

Press Statement: 05 May 2026

[Yohannes @Hager179553222]

የ24 ዓመቱ ኢትዮጵያዊ ሶፍትዌር መሐንዲስ ናትናኤል ጌጤነው ዘለቀ በAmazon Web Services የተዘጋጀ ዓለም አቀፍ ውድድር ከ10 ሺህ ባለሞያዎች ጋር ተወዳድሮ በአንደኝነት አሸንፏል። የናትናኤል “Ivy” ኤአይ ስርዓት ያለ ኢንተርኔት በሞባይል የሚሠራ የትምህርት ማሠራጫ ሲሆን ኢንተርኔት በሌለበት ተማሪዎችን የሚደግፍ አፕ ሲሆን ወደ በአፍሪካ ማስፋፋት አልሟል። እንኳን ደስ ያለህ። @AbiyAhmedAli & ኢትዮጵያውያን ኮርተንብሃል።🇪🇹

[Statsfrica @statsfrica]

IMF Africa's Real GDP Growth Projections 2026:

Ethiopia 🇪🇹: 9.2%
Uganda 🇺🇬: 7.5%
Benin 🇧🇯: 7.0%
Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮: 6.2%
DR Congo 🇨🇩: 5.9%
Tanzania 🇹🇿: 5.9%
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼: 5.0%
Ghana 🇬🇭: 4.8%
Zambia 🇿🇲: 4.3%....... Show more

[Conflict Zone @breaking_bre]

President Erdogan convoy in Addis Ababa 🇪🇹 🇹🇷

[Analytica Today @analyticanew]

We stand ready to engage in good-faith dialogue toward a comprehensive and lasting settlement, one that secures stability, cooperation, and shared prosperity for both our nations and the wider Horn of Africa.
#Ethiopia #Peace #HornOfAfrica #Diplomacy #RegionalStability #Dialogue

[Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 @AbiyAhmedAli]

I received a courtesy visit from the Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher T. Landau @DeputySecState, alongside the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin Li Anderson. I appreciated the warm and constructive engagement, which underscored the importance of continued collaboration and mutual respect.

[EBC WORLD @ebczena]

Historic Milestone! ✈️🇪🇹 Ethiopian Airlines makes history as the first African carrier to exceed 2 million departing seats in a single month.

Reported by Business Insider Africa via OAG, the 2,004,642 seats scheduled for Dec 2025 mark a new record for continental capacity. 🌍📈

#EthiopianAirlines #Aviation #Africa #EBC
https://t.co/5wthEXgHpP

[Statsfrica @statsfrica]

Tallest Buildings in East Africa 🏢.

1. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 🇪🇹 - 209.3m

2. Kenya 🇰🇪 - Britam Tower - 200.1m

3. Tanzania 🇹🇿 - PPF Tower II - 160m

4. Sudan 🇸🇩 - The NTC Tower - 130m

5. Mauritius 🇲🇺, The Bank of Mauritius Tower - 124m

Source: Africa First