
Italy has committed 25 million euros to Ethiopia under its Mattei Plan to support job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development. This announcement coincides with the Big 5 Construct Ethiopia 2026 exhibition in Addis Ababa, where over 20 Italian companies are showcasing their operations. The initiative is part of Italy’s broader economic engagement with Ethiopia, where total Italian investment has reached approximately 830 million euros. Ethiopia is designated as a priority country under the Mattei Plan, which aims to strengthen cooperation with African countries through development projects and economic partnerships. The 25 million euro commitment targets employment generation and supports Ethiopia’s development goals through investments in construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, textiles, agro-processing, and services. Around 150 Italian companies currently have trade and investment ties with Ethiopian partners. Claudio Pasqualucci, trade commissioner at the embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa, noted that Italian investments have primarily focused on infrastructure, construction, and agro-industrial sectors, aligning with Ethiopia’s development priorities. He added that ongoing urban development and infrastructure expansion create opportunities for Italian firms to contribute to projects across the country, benefiting from Ethiopia's economic and fiscal reforms.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
Must ReadMadagascar's capital, Antananarivo, has been gripped by a crime wave involving missing children and discovered bodies, leading to public anger. The National Police Directorate-General reported 172 disappearances since January 1, 2026, with 164 still missing and eight children found dead, 119 of these cases in the Analamanga region. This crisis has led to vigilante justice, including the lynching of a woman suspected of attempted abduction. Colonel Randrianirina, leader of the junta, has labeled the murders "terrorism" and alleged a political conspiracy without presenting evidence. His Prime Minister declared a "war" against those seeking to "undermine the Refoundation." The regime deployed 400 security personnel and blocked websites, but the conspiracy narrative lacks verifiable evidence. Civil society, trade unions, and the Catholic Church have criticized the government's response. Legal scholar Omar Abderman Ramadany warned against speculation, while the Union of Lecturers and Researchers urged authorities to take concrete action beyond declarations. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Madagascar, through Vice-President Bishop Jean Pascal Andriantsoavina, stated they could no longer remain silent about homicides with unknown perpetrators, directly contradicting the government's claims of political conspirators. This religious opposition is part of a broader trend of disillusionment with the junta, which has seen arrests of political dissidents and a focus on consolidating p
Must ReadArtificial intelligence could boost Sub-Saharan Africa's economic output by approximately four percent over the next decade, provided governments invest significantly in electricity, internet connectivity, and digital skills, according to a recent report from the International Monetary Fund. Without these reforms, the region would see only marginal gains, with productivity increasing by as little as 0.2 percent. The IMF notes that Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the least prepared regions for widespread AI adoption, trailing every part of the world except South Asia in AI readiness. This gap is attributed to weak digital infrastructure, shortages of technical skills, and limited regulatory capacity. Reliable electricity, with about half the region lacking dependable access, and internet access, with only 38 percent of Africans using the internet in 2024, are major obstacles. The region also has limited computing infrastructure, hosting only about 160 data centers globally. Kenya and Rwanda lead East Africa in AI readiness due to strong private technology sectors and coordinated government policies, respectively. Ethiopia, however, ranks lower, despite expanding its telecommunications network. The IMF emphasizes that strengthening digital infrastructure, expanding reliable electricity access, and investing in technical education are crucial for the region to benefit economically from AI.
Must ReadRecent reports highlight the regional expansion of the war in Sudan, with military training camps in Somalia and recruitment networks in Ethiopia's Tigray region supplying new fighters. Saudi Arabia is implicated in overseeing military training programs in Somalia's Galguduud region, reportedly involving over 5,000 Somali recruits trained by foreign contractors. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that networks are exploiting humanitarian conditions in Tigray to smuggle young people, including minors, to fight in Sudan. The Sudan Times suggests these developments are linked to efforts by Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated networks to regain influence within Sudan's military. These reports collectively indicate that the conflict is increasingly relying on cross-border recruitment and training, extending beyond Sudan's borders and becoming part of a complex regional network in the Horn of Africa and Gulf countries.