AGP Executive Report

Ethiopia Election Tech & Governance: Ethiopia’s 7th General Election wrapped up amid reports of a peaceful, orderly process, with NEBE saying about 825 of 1,138 constituencies have declared results and vote transfers are still ongoing. Digital Payments & Inclusion: EthSwitch says EthioPay-IPS has hit 1 million daily transactions, processing over ETB 5 billion—another push for faster, more accessible financial services. E-Mobility & Climate Tech: Nordic partners back Ethiopia’s EV ambitions ahead of COP32, while Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy is framed as key to cutting climate impacts. Local Industry & Skills: Ethiopia signals an 80% local participation plan to reduce reliance on foreign contractors, and diplomats get science-based crisis diplomacy training. Biodiversity & Food Systems: The Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute marks 50 years protecting crop diversity, as new research warns forest foods and indigenous knowledge are under pressure. Energy & Infrastructure: GERD is highlighted as a driver for Horn regional integration, and Nordic-Ethiopia EV cooperation is set for a summit in September.

E-Mobility & Climate Policy: UNECA says Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy is cutting CO2 and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, aligning with climate and energy-security goals. Electric Two-Wheelers: Yadea launched in Kenya with electric models for boda boda and delivery riders, betting on fast battery swapping and ecosystem scale after selling tens of thousands in Ethiopia. Digital Infrastructure & Services: Smart Hands Africa became an authorised Supermicro services partner, expanding post-sales support across Ethiopia and other African markets. Industrial Support: Ethiopia’s IDPC will offer reduced service fees and four years of free access to selected industrial parks to help domestic manufacturers scale and strengthen supply chains. Biodiversity & Food Security: Ethiopia’s Biodiversity Institute marks 50 years of protecting crop diversity, while facing new tech and governance pressures. Health & Outbreak Readiness: Africa CDC and WHO launched a joint Ebola preparedness and response plan for six months, focusing on surveillance, labs, infection control, and community engagement. Ethiopia Governance: NEBE reported results declared for about 825 of 1,138 constituencies, citing transfer delays and outlining complaint-handling. Research & Education Networks: Afretec signed its 10th university partner, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, to deepen engineering and tech collaboration.

IMF Support Boost: The IMF says it will step up or accelerate funding for at least four African countries affected by the US–Israel war on Iran, including Ethiopia, with a proposed accelerated $200M tranche and a $468M tranche already cleared for release. Ethiopia Election Updates: NEBE reports about 825 of 1,138 constituencies have declared results, with delays blamed on distance, many candidates, and transferring counts; the board says it has handled complaints and welcomed observer input. E-Mobility & Climate: UNECA highlights Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy as a way to cut emissions and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. EV Market Competition: Yadea launches in Kenya with multiple electric motorcycle models, citing Ethiopia sales of 48,000 units in three years and pushing fast battery-swap operations. Tech Capacity in Ethiopia: Afretec adds Addis Ababa Science and Technology University as its 10th partner, expanding university collaboration for digital growth and youth pathways. Industrial Policy: Ethiopia’s IDPC offers reduced fees and four years of free access to selected industrial parks to help domestic manufacturers scale up. Digital Infrastructure Services: Smart Hands Africa becomes an authorised Supermicro services partner, including support coverage for Ethiopia. Biodiversity Milestone: The Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute marks 50 years of safeguarding crop diversity and seed systems while facing new governance and technology shifts.

Ethiopia’s EV push: UNECA says Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy is cutting emissions and reducing costly fossil-fuel imports, while improving energy security. Public health & Ebola readiness: Kenya received KSh647m for an Africa CDC–WHO Ebola preparedness plan, covering surveillance, labs, infection control, clinical care, and community engagement. Green transition partnerships: Nordic countries pledged support for Ethiopia’s EV ambitions ahead of COP32, including investment, tech transfer, and policy cooperation. Industrial policy for local firms: Ethiopia’s IDPC will cut industrial park service fees and offer four years of free access to selected parks to help domestic manufacturers scale up and create jobs. Digital infrastructure services: Smart Hands Africa added Supermicro as an authorised services partner, expanding installation, maintenance, and break-fix support across Ethiopia and other African markets. Research capacity & biodiversity: Ethiopia’s Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute marks 50 years of safeguarding crop diversity and seed systems while facing new tech and governance shifts. Energy investment spotlight: The African Energy Chamber will focus on Africa’s oil, gas, and power deficit opportunities for Israeli stakeholders in an upcoming webinar. Tech policy & skills: Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry completed a training on situational analysis and crisis diplomacy for 60+ diplomats, using scientific approaches for modern diplomacy.

Diplomacy Skills Upgrade: Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry wrapped a human resource development reform training for 60+ diplomats on situational analysis, trend analysis, and crisis diplomacy, with the minister stressing diplomacy guided by scientific methods. Industrial Policy Push: The Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IDPC) is cutting service fees and offering four years of free access to selected industrial parks for eligible domestic manufacturers to speed up production and jobs. E-Mobility for Climate: UNECA says Ethiopia’s e-mobility strategy is cutting emissions and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, supporting a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. Digital Payments Milestone: EthSwitch reports EthioPay-IPS hit 1 million transactions in a day, processing over ETB 5 billion, alongside a financial inclusion award. Tech Services Expansion: Smart Hands Africa signed on as an authorised Supermicro services partner, adding installation, break-fix, maintenance, and consulting across multiple African markets including Ethiopia. Volcano Risk Rethink: New research suggests some “extinct” volcanoes may have long dormant periods, raising the need for closer monitoring. Public Health Note: Tanzania cut antibiotic misuse and AMR-linked deaths, showing how One Health surveillance and awareness can work.

Digital Finance Breakthrough: EthSwitch says its EthioPay-IPS hit 1 million transactions in a single day, topping ETB 5 billion, and the platform won The Asian Banker’s “Best Financial Inclusion Technology Initiative in Africa for 2026,” highlighting faster interoperable instant payments across Ethiopia. Climate & Health Risk: A new Nature Sustainability analysis warns that over 2 billion people in poor communities face “cooling poverty,” with hotter spells becoming life-threatening where housing, healthcare, and cooling options are missing. Ethiopia Election Legitimacy: As Ethiopia’s June 1 vote approaches, coverage argues formal electoral structures remain while conflict, shrinking civic space, and rights concerns weaken meaningful participation and legitimacy. Public Health & Global Support: The IMF announced stepped-up support for Ethiopia and other African states to cushion economic shocks tied to the US-Israel war on Iran, including accelerated access to an existing Ethiopia tranche. Urban Ecology: A study reports spotted hyenas in Mekelle help process nearly 5,000 tonnes of organic waste yearly, potentially reducing disease risks by quickly consuming carcasses. Governance & Skills: Italy’s SNA-backed capacity program will train senior public officials across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast to improve service delivery and institutional performance.

Digital Payments Milestone: EthSwitch says its EthioPay-IPS processed over 1 million transactions in a single day worth more than ETB 5 billion, alongside The Asian Banker award for financial inclusion tech. Ebola Response Tech & Water: WaterStep is supporting Ebola preparedness in Congo with safe water solutions and local sanitation-focused training, as the outbreak spreads without approved vaccines. Urban Ecology & Health: A study reports Mekelle’s hyenas help process nearly 5,000 tonnes of organic waste yearly, potentially cutting public health risks by removing carcasses and reducing pathogen exposure. Election Tech & Voting Infrastructure: IGAD and AU election observers praise Ethiopia’s electoral evolution, including digital voter registration, but flag polling-station crowding and call for simpler ID systems and lower capacity per station. Local Tech Capacity in Infrastructure: Ethiopia unveils an 80% local participation plan to reduce reliance on foreign contractors, aiming to grow domestic construction and consulting capability. EV Battery-Swapping Funding: Spiro secures $215m equity to expand electric mobility and battery-swapping networks, with Ethiopia listed for future market entry. Cybersecurity Civilians Call: Lesotho urges broader African participation in cybersecurity and emerging tech policy, stressing protection of civilians and essential services in cyberspace. Clean Energy Trade Policy Watch: A report says US trade restrictions are expanding to target solar supply chains, including a petition for investigations into cells produced in Ethiopia.

Digital Health & Manufacturing: Stakeholders at the World Health Expo in Lagos pushed for faster digital health adoption, healthcare financing reforms, and Africa CDC-led regulatory harmonisation, aiming to raise local medical product production to 60% by 2040. Ethiopia Election Tech & Polling Logistics: IGAD and AU missions praised Ethiopia’s electoral reforms and tech like Mirchaye digital registration, but flagged crowding and urged NEBE to standardize voter ID and reduce polling-station capacity; AU also noted polling suspensions in 46 constituencies tied to security disruptions. E-Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215M equity to expand battery-swapping EV infrastructure and manufacturing across Africa, with plans to scale into Ethiopia and the DRC. Local Contractor Push: Ethiopia unveiled an 80% local participation plan to cut reliance on foreign contractors, targeting a rise in capable licensed firms for major infrastructure tenders. Mining & Energy Transition: MITHRA Metals advanced a strategic nickel laterite initiative in southern Ethiopia, citing energy-transition demand. Urban Waste Science: A Mekelle study says hyenas and other scavengers process nearly 5,000 tonnes of organic waste yearly, potentially easing public health risks. Disaster Tech Cooperation: BRICS DRR talks in Puri highlighted science, technology, and early-warning systems, with Ethiopia among participants.

Ethiopia Election Tech & Process: IGAD and the African Union election missions say Ethiopia’s June 1 vote was largely orderly and successful, crediting reforms and tech like digital voter registration, but they flag major polling-station crowding and call for simpler voter ID rules and lower capacity per station. Urban Waste Science: A Mekelle study says hyenas and other urban scavengers process about 5,000 tonnes of organic waste yearly, potentially easing public health risks by reducing hazardous waste in city systems. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215m in equity to scale electric mobility and battery-swapping across Africa, with expansion plans that include Ethiopia. Critical Minerals Push: MITHRA Metals advances a nickel laterite initiative in southern Ethiopia, reporting drill results that point to significant nickel-bearing systems. Digital Governance & Dialogue: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission says it is building a structured platform for citizen consensus ahead of a main consultative conference. Regional Tech for Resilience: BRICS disaster risk reduction talks in Odisha highlight science, technology, and innovation for early warning and resilient infrastructure, with Ethiopia among participants.

Election Tech & Governance: IGAD’s preliminary observation report on Ethiopia’s 7th general election praises electoral administration, reforms, and “technological innovations,” after monitoring across seven regions and city administrations. Urban Infrastructure: PM Abiy inaugurated Addis Ababa’s Entoto–Kechene Medhanealem riverside development stretch, linking the election turnout to renewed delivery pressure and growth targets. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured a $215M equity round to expand electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across seven African markets, aiming to scale manufacturing and energy-linked tech. Disaster Resilience & Science: BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction working group held its second technical meeting in Puri, with Ethiopia among expanded members, focusing on early warning, resilient infrastructure, and science/technology for DRR. Health Security Watch: WHO-linked reporting highlights rising Ebola concerns across East and Central Africa, with travel safety and outbreak containment under scrutiny. Digital Research Collaboration: Carnegie Mellon Africa’s Afretec network signed Addis Ababa Science and Technology University as its 10th partner, pushing university-led digital transformation. Land Restoration: Ethiopia-focused reporting highlights community-led, low-cost nature-based approaches to reverse degraded land and improve water and soil outcomes.

Ethiopia Urban Tech & Infrastructure: PM Abiy inaugurated the 9.6-kilometer Entoto–Kechene Medhanealem Riverside Development Project in Addis Ababa, tying the push to meeting the 10.2% growth target and stressing that leadership must keep working after voters’ late-night turnout. Ebola Safety & Health Systems: WHO-linked reporting highlights rising travel and public health concerns around the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC, with confirmed cases and deaths updated and spillover risks into neighboring countries. AI Surveillance Risk: A report says a Chinese firm, Geedge Networks, has exported mobile-network surveillance tools to countries including Ethiopia and is working on AI to predict potential dissidents—raising alarms for digital rights. EV & Energy Investment: Spiro secured $215M to expand battery-swapping and electric mobility infrastructure across Africa, aiming to scale manufacturing and energy-related tech. Clean Energy Trade Signals: A new report notes global clean energy trade rebounded to $479bn in 2025, suggesting renewed momentum for solar, batteries, and EV supply chains. Digital Public Infrastructure & Payments: A payments industry update flags regulatory shifts around crypto and tokenisation in Europe and the US, while another story covers Movement’s relaunch as a stablecoin-focused Layer 1 for payments and remittances. Climate Watch: WMO warns El Niño is likely to develop June–August 2026, with potential rainfall impacts for eastern and southern Africa.

Ethiopia Election Tech & Security: IGAD’s election observation mission says it has not seen irregularities so far in Ethiopia’s 7th general election, praising modern tech use in administration—while voting is not held in Tigray and some polling sites close early due to security and online registration issues. Ebola Preparedness in the Horn: Africa CDC warns that lack of licensed vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain and heavy cross-border movement could drive wider spread, listing Ethiopia among high-risk countries and urging sustained regional coordination. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro, an African EV and battery-swapping platform, secured a $215M equity round to expand its network and manufacturing footprint, with plans that include entry into Ethiopia. Manufacturing Digitisation Gap: A report flags a “laboratory digitisation blind spot” in African manufacturing—quality testing still often relies on paper and spreadsheets, risking export compliance even as factories adopt ERP and sensors. Energy Transition Watch: Industry coverage highlights solar and wind overtaking coal and large hydropower across Africa, with battery storage becoming central to faster, cheaper grid buildout. Mosquito Tech for Disease Control: Coverage explains Wolbachia bacteria as a promising, non-disease-causing tool to reduce dengue and malaria transmission by Aedes mosquitoes.

Ethiopia Election Tech & Governance: IGAD’s election observation mission says it has seen no irregularities so far, praising modern technology use and election administration—while voting excludes Tigray and some Amhara polling sites close early over security and registration issues. Ethiopia Energy & Transport Electrification: Ethiopia’s e-mobility push gets a boost as Michu E-mid-bus plans an initial fleet of electric mid-buses and charging on key corridors, aiming to cut costs and expand reliable routes. Ethiopia Manufacturing Digitisation Gap: A new report flags a “lab digitisation blind spot” in African manufacturing—production and ERP may go digital, but quality labs still rely on paper and spreadsheets, slowing compliance and export readiness. Clean Mobility Investment Across Africa: Spiro raises $215M to scale battery-swapping and EV infrastructure across multiple African markets, moving beyond proof-of-concept toward faster expansion. Renewables Momentum: Industry leaders say solar and wind are overtaking coal and large hydropower projects across Africa as projects get built faster and cheaper. Ebola Preparedness & Vaccines: Africa CDC warns the DRC outbreak could spread further due to lack of licensed vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain and intense cross-border movement, urging sustained regional coordination. Research & Innovation Spotlight: KNUST researchers use quantum computing to validate Ghana’s laterite-clay and agricultural fibre composites for potential inclusion in certified, low-carbon building materials.

Ethiopia Election Watch: Ethiopia holds parliamentary and regional elections on Monday, with analysts expecting PM Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party to win a landslide; voting won’t take place in parts of Tigray and some constituencies in Amhara due to instability, while NEBE says millions are registered and digital voter/candidate registration is part of the process. Capital Markets & Fintech: ECMA outlines plans to deepen Ethiopia’s capital market by integrating investment platforms with payment systems, strengthening investor protection, and improving financial literacy to attract more foreign portfolio investment. AI for African Music: Wits showcases five AI and African music projects from teams across seven countries, pushing for African-led creative sovereignty in how AI is built and used. Sports Tech & Wellness Startups: Addis Ababa-based Z-Fit Wellness and Rehabilitation profiles a science-led sports training and injury rehab startup, highlighting the local gap in modern rehabilitation centers. Health & Outbreak Risk: Africa CDC reports suspected Ebola cases in the DRC have surpassed 1,000, with Ethiopia listed among countries at high risk, underscoring the need for regional preparedness. Climate Finance & Adaptation: African leaders meet in Addis Ababa calling to shift from “climate aid” to “climate investment,” with Ethiopia spotlighting renewable energy and large-scale tree planting. Brand & Industry Spotlight: Dangote Industries again tops Brand Africa’s Most Admired African Brand rankings for an eighth straight year, reinforcing its industrial and social impact narrative.

Ethiopia Election Watch: The National Election Board of Ethiopia says voting won’t happen in 46 constituencies in Amhara and Tigray due to instability, with supplementary dates planned where possible—while analysts warn the June 1 polls are unlikely to change the political balance amid insecurity and a fragmented opposition. Democratic Process & Tech: NEBE reports 54+ million registered voters, 42 parties and 10,000+ candidates, plus digital voter/candidate registration as a key innovation for the 7th general election. Capital Markets: Ethiopia’s Capital Market Authority (ECMA) outlines plans to integrate investment platforms with payment systems, strengthen investor protection, and improve financial literacy to attract more foreign portfolio investment. Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC says suspected Ebola cases in the DRC outbreak have topped 1,000, with Ethiopia flagged among high-risk countries; IGAD calls for cross-border surveillance and coordinated regional readiness. Climate Finance & Energy: At an Addis Ababa climate summit, leaders push “climate aid” to be replaced by “climate investment,” while Ethiopia’s draft energy policy targets full cost recovery for power utilities by 2028 and COP32 preparations continue. Logistics Liberalization: Ethiopia eases rules for foreign multimodal transport operators, lowering licensing thresholds and capital requirements to boost competition in freight and logistics. Agroforestry Research: A new intra-Africa agroforestry project links Addis Ababa University with partners across Africa to train MSc/PhD students and strengthen climate-focused research and curricula. Start-up Spotlight: Z-Fit Wellness and Rehabilitation launches in Addis Ababa with scientific sports training and injury rehab, aiming to become a leading wellness brand despite equipment and space costs.

Ethiopia Logistics & Energy Reforms: Ethiopia moved to fully liberalize freight forwarding for foreign investors and cut licensing barriers for multimodal transport operators, while a new energy policy targets full cost recovery for state utilities by 2028 and shifts subsidies toward vulnerable households. Ebola Preparedness: IGAD urged urgent regional preparedness as suspected Ebola cases in the DRC and Uganda surpassed 1,000, with Africa CDC warning of high-risk spread to countries including Ethiopia. Digital Democracy: Ethiopia’s election build-up highlights digital voting reforms and voter registration via the “Mirchaye” mobile app, alongside GIS tools for polling logistics. Climate & Health Tech: Research spotlighted black carbon tracking as a way to accelerate Ethiopia’s SDG agenda, and a study linked stigma and mental health strain to poorer quality of life among leprosy patients. Clean Energy & Innovation: Investors eye East Africa’s clean energy startups despite financing gaps, while Ethiopia’s national e-mobility strategy points to an EV push. Agritech & Food Resilience: Coverage also flagged climate-stressed coffee varieties like Excelsa and policy arguments for higher-return crops such as strawberries.