Day: June 9, 2023

Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative Will Have Big Contribution to Mitigate Global Climate Change: Ambassadors

The Green Legacy Initiative that Ethiopia has been undertaking will make a great contribution to the effort to prevent climate change globally, ambassadors of different countries observed.

The ambassadors pointed out that they will strengthen their support for the Green Legacy Initiative Ethiopia has been carrying out.

In the second phase of the program launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed yesterday, it was announced that 25 billion seedlings will planted in this phase.

Among the ambassadors who participated in the launching program, French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux, said this Green Legacy Initiative is very important in mitigating climate change.

"It's part of a more comprehensive movement and there is a growing awareness that all around Africa this kind of initiative, maybe not to the level of Ethiopia, but from east to west in the Sahel there is a huge project of the green wall to stop the progress of the deserts," the ambassador added.

Moreover, he elaborated that Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is an example for many countries.

“Ethiopia is quite an example for many countries, not only in Africa, only if you take into account the energy mix of Africa which is 98 percent renewable. That’s a major contribution to a global challenge.”

According to him, what is undertaken here is not only for Ethiopia because global warming is a global challenge, and it must be addressed and fought in each and every country.

Italy's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese said on his part that the initiative that Ethiopia has been implementing is encouraging.

Ambassador Palese noted that it will create the ability to prevent floods, droughts and other related disasters that occur due to climate change at the international level.

Moreover, he stated that the initiative will benefit other development activities besides its contribution to climate change prevention.

China’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zhao Zhiyuan appreciated Ethiopia’s commitment to plant 25 billion seedlings in the last four years under the Green Legacy Initiative.

He said this has its own positive contribution in preventing climate change not only in Ethiopia, but also the world.

“This Green Legacy Initiative was initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. I think since it has been started, it has made great achievements. In four years we have planted more than 25 billion seedlings. It has changed the climate of Ethiopia and will make a great contribution to Africa and around the world.”

The Green Legacy Initiative is a flagship program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2019 with a target of planting 20 billion seedlings within a period of four years.

However, by the last fourth year, 25 billion seedlings, including fruit trees and cattle feeds, have been planted as part of the national Green Legacy Initiative across the nation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Joint Chinese-Japanese Metal Company Plans to Move Manufacturing Center from China to Ethiopia

The joint Chinese-Japanese metal industry, Woda Metal Industry Plc., told ENA that it plans to move a manufacturing center from China and supply products to Ethiopia and neighboring countries.

Woda Metal Industry, which entered the Ethiopian market in 2016, has started production of towers and cables for domestic market last year.

Its main products are steel tower and aluminum conductor cable as well as a facility for galvanization, which is the biggest in East Africa, Woda General Manager Steven Cui said.

The company has over 15 years tower manufacturing experience and is a global supplier to world-class telecom and power operators, it was learned.

In Ethiopia, the company has already invested around 32 million USD for building its own industrial park that will be completed with a capital of 95 million USD.

Upon going fully operational “we can save over 200 million USD for this country because we only import some raw materials. We are exporting today from China to the surrounding countries. So we can bring or manufacture here in Ethiopia and generate foreign currency. This is our plan.”

According to Cui, a lot of his friends want to invest in the same area.

“The market is very big and we want to invest more by ourselves, and also we want to bring more investment from other investor groups. So this is our motivation to build this industrial park.”

The general manager stated that the market is attractive not only for steel towers and cables, but also for other products like smart device, electrical vehicles, tracking systems, battery and the tire business.

The first reason, we came here is you have 120 million population and that also means the market is full of very young energetic working force, he noted, adding that this is one big potential.

“We promised to export at least 30 percent of our products. We are actually now exporting from the headquarters in China to Ethiopia, Kenya and to the whole east African countries. The reason we started from local is because this country needs products like tower and cable and imports 100 percent, before we start our production. That is very much cutting foreign currency from this country. So, first we have to stop that bleeding foreign currency.”

Commenting on the investment environment in the country, Cui said there is a lot of negative news on the internet. “However, I want to send the message to the investors to come and look.”

Noting that there are also challenges like everywhere, not only in Africa and not only in Ethiopia but also in the US and in Europe and everywhere; “I think if we choose the right path, the right direction, the right project, this country can be a very good place for investment.”

The general manager stressed that “we believe the next booming market will be right here” in Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Gov’t Plans to Register 7.9 Percent Economic Growth Next Ethiopian Fiscal Year

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said that Ethiopia would work to register 7.9 percent economic growth in the 2016 Fiscal year.

The minister explained to the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) the economic assumptions, the priorities of the nation’s economy as well as programs on Thursday.

Ahmed also pointed out that Ethiopia's economy has been recording an average annual growth of 6.1 percent in the past years and it is expected to record a growth rate of 7.5 percent at the end of the current Ethiopian financial year.

Recall that the Council of Ministers referred this week 801.6-billion Birr budget for the Ethiopian fiscal year 2016 to the House of People's Representatives.

Some 369.6 billion Birr has been allocated for recurrent expenditure, 203.9 billion Birr for capital expenditure, 214.07 billion Birr for regional states, and 14 billion Birr for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The finance minister told the parliament that the forecast during the preparation of the budget was that the economy will record a growth rate of 7.9 percent in the fiscal year 2016.

By taking into account the growth projection of the economy, the basic expenses would be allocated to realize the plan, Ahmed stated.

According to him, the price of imported goods, which was 7.2 percent in 2015, is expected to grow to 18.9 percent in 2016.

When the draft budget was prepared, the minister noted that a strict monetary policy was employed by the medium-term plan, and an effort will be made to stabilize the current high inflation by limiting the supply of money.

The proposed budget for the next fiscal year has also been prepared by taking into consideration the second phase of the Home-grown Economic Growth Reform and forecast of the macro economy of the following year.

Moreover, the draft budget was prepared by taking into account the main fiscal goals, expenditure and revenue policies that the budget focuses on, the current macroeconomic situation and fiscal capacity, the minister elaborate.

As the direct loan taken from the National Bank of Ethiopia to cover budget deficit would show a significant decrease, corrective measures would be taken to collect the money injected into the economy through various loan methods in the past years, he said.

Speaking on the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of the nation, Ahmed stated that 20 billion Birr has been allocated from the government treasury to rebuild war-damaged infrastructures and to rebuild the community.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

More Than 83 Million USD Earned from Electricity Export to Neighboring Countries

Ethiopia has earned over 83 million USD from electricity export to neighboring countries, Ethiopian Electric Power disclosed.

Ethiopian Electric Power Communication Director, Moges Mekonnen told ENA that out of the electricity generated in the past ten months of the Ethiopian Fiscal Year, 12126 Gigawatt has been sold.

The neighboring countries Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan purchased the electric power.

The sales performance has shown 26 percent growth when compared to the same period last year.

The communication director stated that the country has also earned over 14 billion Birr from domestic power sales.

"Out of the generated electricity, we sold 12,126 GWh, which is close to 85 percent, and it shows 26 percent increase in GWh compared to last year. Early this year, we planned to earn 20.6 billion Birr, considering the energy we delivered to users. Domestic electricity sale reached 14.07 billion Birr."

According to Moges, around 83.066 million USD was obtained from electricity sale to Kenya, Djibouti and Sudan.

Pointing out that electricity infrastructure damage and looting were rampant during the devastating war in the northern part of the country, he said the government has been successful in rebuilding and restoring electricity services in many parts of Ethiopia, working in cooperation with stakeholders and partners.

The communication director further pointed out that the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will especially be a great additional power source to fulfill the rapidly growing domestic demand and the demand from neighboring countries for electricity supply.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Ministers Laud Success of First Phase of PM’s Green Legacy Initiative

The first phase of the Green Legacy program initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has registered huge success, according to ministers.

The ministers, who took part in the launching of the second phase of the Green Legacy Initiative in Afar region yesterday, said the program has been very successful.

Head of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Minister, Alemtsehay Paulos stated during the occasion that more than 25 billion seedlings were planted in the first phase of the Green Legacy Initiative.

Highlighting the success of the first phase of the initiative, she noted that planting of seedlings has benefited the society as they were able to get fruits from the planted trees.

The second phase of the program launched under the theme: “Let’s plant the future today” is a crucial juncture in which we leave great legacy for the future generation, she said.

Alemtsehay added that the initiative is also pivotal to transfer a well developed, productive and climate resilient nation for the next generation.

According to her, this year’s program has mainly focused on planting edible fruits tree seedlings.

Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa affirmed the success of the first phase of the initiative as the program has mobilized Ethiopians at large, which is a great experience to expand into other areas.

Noting that planting seedlings is instrumental to develop water resources, he added attention will next be given to basins.

Irrigation and Lowland Areas Development Minister, Aisha Mohammed said that Ethiopia has become a leading country in green legacy.

The green legacy program initiated by the PM will be critical in preventing the impact of climate change which has become a global phenomenon, the minister elaborated, pointing out that the lowland areas consist of plenty of water resources, huge land resources, and animal resources that could be beneficial to the nation.

Starting the initiative in these areas will have a huge role in showing the ample potential, Aisha noted.

Understanding that the initiative would bring social harmony and accelerate economic growth, we need to join hands to be successful in such areas.

Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla noted said the first phase has registered big leap.

As monitoring the seedlings should be given attention in addition to planting seedlings, software that carry out the activity has been developed.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

War in Cameroon: Gov’t, UN dialogue on cooperations concerning reconstruction plan

The Cameroonian Government and United Nations, UN have dialogued and revisited the framework of their cooperation, including the points concerning the reconstruction plan of the Far North, North West, and South West Regions.

This discussion was during the third session of the Structured Political Dialogue which took place at the Ministry of foreign affairs (MINREX) last Thursday, June 8, 2023.

The event was co-chaired by the MINREX boss Lejeune Mbella Mbella and the Resident Coordinator of the System of the United Nations in Cameroon, Matthias Naab.

The aim of the Third Structured Political Dialogue between both parties was to set a blueprint to bolster the country’s reconstruction and development programs, CNA learned.

The deliberations also focused on the contribution of the United Nations Systems to the implementation of the reconstruction plan.

Minister Mbella Mbella said that “The cooperation framework will enable us to benefit from the UN expertise to boost developmental projects in the North West, South West, and Far North regions”.

Speaking to the press, the UN representative said the UN intends to support the government in several ways to achieve its objectives.

“The holding of this meeting is a testament to the quality and level of our relationship with the government. The presidential reconstruction program in the North West and South West and the special program for the Far North are very constructive programs by the government,” Matthias Naab said.

Two previous sessions have been held, the first in October 2016 and the latter in August 2018.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

APAP lifts ban on Brasseries products, sets new ban on Supermont

The leader of the newly created group, Ambazonia People Advocative Platform, APAP, Ngong Emmanuel, also known as Capo Daniel, has said his group has lifted the ban on products from Les Brasseries du Cameroun.

“…And also to announce to you a new ban against Supermont mineral water product sold in Ambazonia…We must treat both Brasseries as we treat equally as we treat the UCB of the Kadji group. Instead of this ban, our forces should demand owners to pay a liberation tax that should be proportional and collected by dominant forces of any area of their control…liberation tax should not be excessive.” Capo said.

“I have taken this decision and full responsibility and ask all Ambazonians who listen to me to abide by this law…without fear of any harassment,” he said in an 11 minutes 42 seconds video.

Capo Daniel a dissident of the Ambazonia Governing Council, was the group’s Spokesperson and Deputy Commander of the armed wing, Ambazonia Defense Forces, ADF. But he resigned in May 2023 citing differences in opinion with the leader of the AGovC, Ayaba Cho Lucas.

Mr. Daniel said the ban is an appropriate response to the incident that led to the death of journalist Anye Nsoh, in Bamenda. Anye was shot dead with a microphone in his hand as armed separatists stormed a bar to force an early closure.

“It will also eliminate Cameroon’s military network which has been relying on those selling the product for intelligence…It will also put an end to the black market in brewery products where we have discrepancies in prices,” he continued.

Since the conflict started in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions in 2016, bar owners selling brewery products from Les Brasseries du Cameroun, have been targets. The Separatists fighting for a new state, said the target is because the company is French-owned, former colonial master of Cameroon.

Thousands have died and hundreds are now refugees in Nigeria while millions of others have been internally displaced.

Source: Cameroon News Agency