Water Accessibility and Vitality for Ethiopia (WAVE): A Sustainable Solution for Rural Drinking Water

In Ethiopia, access to clean and safe drinking water remains a critical challenge for millions. Despite abundant water resources, 87% of the population depends on unsafely managed drinking water services. A 2022 TRAIDE Foundation study on investment opportunities in Ethiopia’s water sector brought this issue into sharp focus. It revealed that 40% of water supply…

Read More

Empowering Female Entrepreneurship in Tech and Agriculture

In April 2024, TRAIDE Foundation, in collaboration with Ice Addis, Studio.Why, ITC, Care Ethiopia, and UN Women, hosted the Women in Tech Hackathon in Addis Ababa. The event brought together 23 young women to tackle key challenges in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector through technology and entrepreneurship. Over the course of three days, participants developed sustainable, market-driven…

Read More

Transforming Water Access with Innovative Technology and Financing Solutions in Ethiopia 

Ethiopia faces serious water management problems that threaten its long-term development. Communities struggle to access clean water due to old and broken infrastructure. This is especially true in Dire Dawa, the second most populous city in Ethiopia. The city entirely depends on groundwater for its supply, which is three times less than the water demand.…

Read More

Ethiopia’s Currency Revolution: Transforming the Foreign Exchange Regime into New Opportunities

Ethiopia is embarking on a transformative economic journey with the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) groundbreaking decision to devalue the Ethiopian Birr by 30% against the US dollar and liberalize its foreign exchange market. Effective from July 29, 2024, this strategic move aims to address persistent foreign currency shortages and attract substantial foreign investment. Since…

Read More

Grounds for concern: Ethiopia’s coffee sector faces challenges in becoming EUDR compliant

The new deforestation regulation of the European Union (EUDR) will have a significant impact on Ethiopia’s coffee sector. The large share of smallholder coffee farmers in Ethiopia makes it especially challenging to trace coffee back to the farm level and ensure coffee does not come from deforested land. European coffee buyers seem to be moving…

Read More

Transforming Ethiopia’s Housing Landscape: Sustainable Solutions for a Growing Urban Population

Imagine a city where every third person struggles to find a decent place to live. This scenario is not fiction but a looming reality for Ethiopia, a country experiencing one of the fastest urbanization rates in Africa. With an urban population expected to reach 42.3 million by 2037, the demand for affordable housing is skyrocketing.…

Read More

Responsible Business Conduct: Positive Impact of Dutch Private Sector Engagement in Rwanda

Dutch private sector engagement in Rwanda, as revealed by the Responsible Business Conduct(RBC) survey, has had a positive impact on the country’s economy and workforce. Seventeen Dutch organizations participating in the survey have collectively generated 4,529 jobs, with 56.6% held by men and 43.4% by women. These jobs are predominantly permanent, contributing to stability and…

Read More

Fintech Factsheet

As the fintech sector grows in Rwanda, the country is committed to becoming the ICT hub of Africa. Numerous initiatives are underway, fueling the sector’s rapid expansion. The Fintech Factsheet offers a snapshot of Rwanda’s financial sector and key digital characteristics of its economy and society. This document complements the Fintech in Rwanda market scan,…

Read More

Rwanda Fintech Sector: Challenges and Opportunities

Fintech is on the rise across Africa, with over $2 billion USD invested in the sector in 2021. Rwanda, too, is experiencing rapid fintech development, driven by the government’s ambition to establish itself as a regional financial hub. Initiatives like the Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC) and regulatory sandbox frameworks are part of the efforts…

Read More

Open and close a business in Rwanda

Registering a business in Rwanda is generally hassle-free for (foreign) entrepreneurs, with fast registration being a notable advantage, often taking less than 24 hours. Rwanda distinguishes itself with its ease of registration and a business-friendly environment, setting it apart from many other African countries and earning high rankings on ‘Ease of doing business’ lists. However,…

Read More