- During the past six months, the government of Ethiopia has attracted over US $8 billion worth of investment by issuing licence to foreign investors in agriculture, construction, hotel and tourism sectors.
An annual report by the Ethiopia's Investment Agency said investors will also venture in real estate development, manufacturing, education, health, power generation and many others.
However, foreign investors are banned from venturing into sectors such as telecommunications, banking and insurance businesses.
The investors are expected to implement more than 1,500 projects across the country, creating jobs for more than 836,000 people.
According to the agency, the current year's total capital investment is US $3 billion more than that of the previous year.
The licenced investors, who are believed to have been magnetised by Ethiopia's investment alternatives and lucrative incentives, hailed from Europe, Asia, the United States, Middle East and Africa.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.