Understanding the Legal Requirements for Electronic Signatures in Ethiopia PDF Version Available Here In December 2018, Ethiopia adopted the Electronic Signature Proclamation No.1072/2018 in order to create a conducive legal framework to promote electronic commerce and electronic government service. The Proclamation provides legal recognition to electronic signatures to promote trust in electronic communication and to...Read More

Reciprocity is an agreement between countries for the endowment of rights and the imposition of obligations on each other’s nationals. Generally, it is expressed by the following statement: “To the extent I did for you, you will do for me, and to the extent you did for me, I will do for you”. The principle...Read More

Legal Update on the Revised Property Tax Levied by the Addis Ababa City Administration PDF Version Available Here The land tax, sometimes referred to as the property tax, is regarded by the government as one of the most significant sources of revenue for the government and is used to meet the increasing demand for services...Read More

The Distinction between a Commercial Agent and a Commission Agent in Ethiopia Both commercial and commission agents are traders that need commercial registration and licensing to operate in Ethiopia according to the Commercial Code, the Commercial Registration and Business Licensing Proclamation No. 980/2016, and the Directive to Provide for Commercial Registration, Licensing, and Post-licensing Inspection,...Read More

Is the Declaration of Bankruptcy a Mandatory Requirement to Terminate an Employment Contract due to a Reduction in Work Volume or Profit? The Labor Proclamation No. 1165/2019 provides conditions under which an employer may terminate a worker’s employment contract with prior notice. Article 28(3) of the Proclamation, specifically, stipulates that those grounds attributable to the...Read More

Legal Update- Civil Society Organizations’ Income-Generating Activity Directive No. 937/2022 PDF Version Available Here Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) undertake their activities primarily from the donations they receive from domestic/foreign organizations and individuals. But donation is not reliable and donated funds may not always be sufficient to carry out their objectives. Thus, it is crucial to...Read More

Legal Update on the Mergers, Divisions, Conversions, and Dissolutions of Civil Society Organizations Directive No. 936/2022 PDF Version Available Here Purpose: Directive No 936/2022 on the Mergers, Divisions, Conversions, and Dissolutions of Organization came into effect on 22nd December 2022 with the main aim of implementing the provisions of the Organizations of Civil Societies Proclamation...Read More

Can a taxpayer present evidence to the tax authority after an Audit has started? Ethiopian tax statutes have not addressed the admissibility of evidence presented to the tax authority (the Ministry of Revenue) once an audit has started. The repealed Financial Bookkeeping Directive No. 152/2019 and the new Directive No. 176/2022 don’t sufficiently cover the...Read More

Main Features of the National Digital ID Proclamation No. 1284/2023 PDF Version Available Here A digital ID system has various benefits when it is implemented in a country. Among its benefits, it helps with proper planning of national development, creates an economic transition, ensures good governance, reduces waste of resources, prevents crime, reduces duplication, and...Read More

Legal Update on the National Payment System (Amendment) Proclamation No. 1282/2022 PDF Version Available Here On 22 December 2022, the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia ratified the National Payment System (Amendment) Proclamation No. 1282/2022 amending the existing National Payment System Proclamation No. 718/2011. The bill was anticipated for a long time as it promised...Read More