The Ministry of Finance (“MoF”), with its set vision of having a systematized excise assurance mechanism in the way of digital and physical stamps, has issued a directive on excise stamp management named the “Excise Stamp Management Directive No 1004/2024”. The intent as set in the Directive’s introduction is aimed at prevention of illicit trade,...Read More

In a seamlessly apparent manner, Ethiopia enhanced its pursuit of setting up measures to safeguard its forestry throughout its utilization by enacting an enforcement law in the form of a Council of Ministers (“CoM”) Regulation on Forest Development, Protection, and Utilization. This legislation is a follow-through to the parliamentary enactment made in 2018, the Forest...Read More

Download the PDF version of the full Legal Update here:Download Throughout the years, the development and implementation of aspects of industrial parks have been one of the identifying traits of the Ethiopian investment schemes to boost trade and attract foreign investment. Key policy considerations were taken throughout the development and implementation of industrial parks, some...Read More

The Ethiopian Parliament has taken a significant step towards safeguarding individual privacy with the passage of the Personal Data Protection Proclamation (Proclamation No. 1321/2024). This comprehensive legislation establishes a robust legal framework for data protection in Ethiopia. Salient Features of the Proclamation: Individual Rights: The Proclamation empowers Ethiopians with greater control over their personal data. It...Read More

The Federal Authority for Civil Societies Organizations (ACSO) in Ethiopia has issued Directive No. 986/2024, outlining key procedures for the registration and administration of foreign civil society organizations operating within the country. This marks a significant step towards clarifying existing ambiguities and establishing a more cooperative environment for foreign CSOs to contribute to Ethiopia’s development....Read More

Ethiopia’s vast untapped natural resource potential presents a significant opportunity for the country to develop its energy sector, enhance energy access, and promote sustainable development. Dawit Kidane shared his insight on disputes in this sector at the Africa Energy Dispute Resolution Roundtable. The recent Africa Energy Dispute Resolution Roundtable, hosted by the UK Ministry of Justice GREAT...Read More

Ethiopian businesses and investors eagerly awaited the news today, as the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) announced the official registration of the “Capital Market Service Providers Licensing and Supervision Directive No. 980/2024.” This landmark directive serves as the foundation for a robust legal framework, governing everything from licensable activities within the capital market to the...Read More

Across Africa, young innovators are wielding tech like a wand, tackling problems from finance to healthcare with fresh, digital solutions. Fintech platforms are streamlining online transactions, delivery services are zipping goods around cities, and digital marketplaces are connecting buyers and sellers like never before. This entrepreneurial surge is fueled by rising internet penetration, a tech-savvy...Read More

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a circular letter asserting that any interest-bearing loan agreement between individuals or companies other than financial institutions is illegal. It addressed the October 9 letter to the Federal Documents Authentication and Registration Services (DARS) not to authenticate or register interest-bearing loan agreements. However, there are strong arguments to...Read More

Who does the Directive apply to?The Directive applies to traders engaged in trading graded and value-added export coffee domestically in foreign currency. What is value-added coffee?Value-added coffee is a raw coffee that has been roasted, roasted, and grind or converted into a different type of coffee product according to approved technical procedures. Where can graded...Read More