Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have signed a $100 million grant agreement to support Ethiopian micro, small, and medium enterprises, particularly in the innovation and technology sectors. The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa and involves financial support from the UAE through the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. Ethiopia's Minister of Innovation and Technology, Getahun Mekuria, highlighted that the funds would benefit enterprises in various sectors including agribusiness, agro-processing, IT services, energy, and manufacturing. This financial support aligns with Ethiopia's focus on innovation as a key driver for its development goals, as emphasized by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

In Ethiopia, 18 Muslim activists have been sentenced by the Ethiopian Federal High Court to prison terms ranging from seven to 22 years on charges related to terrorism. These charges are based on accusations that the activists sought to establish an Islamic state through terrorist activities. The group has been detained for nearly three years and is also banned from certain civic activities for five years. The case stems from protests that began in 2012 by Muslims who claimed the government was imposing a non-traditional form of Islam and interfering in religious affairs. The government, on the other hand, has expressed concerns about the rise of hardline Salafism in the country, which is predominantly moderate Sufi Islam.

The Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT), a US$475 million project financed by China, is the new talk of the town in Ethiopia's capital. It promises to transport 80,000 commuters daily, easing traffic congestion. The AALRT was inaugurated in time for the 24th African Union Summit in January and is part of Ethiopia's Grand Transformation Plan II (GTP2). Despite delays due to electricity issues, the service is expected to start soon with heavily subsidized fares. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who had promised an earlier start date, is visiting China to seek funds for the AALRT's expansion, demonstrating the project's significance for Ethiopia's infrastructure and economic plans.

Ethiopia is on track to become a natural gas producer by 2018, with an expected output of 40 billion gallons a year, as reported by China Poly Technology, which has invested $5 billion in the project. A pipeline is being built from the Ogaden region to Djibouti for exporting gas to Europe. Ethiopia's efforts to exploit its oil and gas resources have been hindered by security issues and political instability, particularly in Ogaden, a region seeking pacification due to a history of insurgency and banditry. The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), labeled a terrorist group by the Ethiopian government, has been a significant source of unrest, including a 2007 attack that killed Chinese and Ethiopian workers. The government has made some progress in reducing the insurgency but faces international criticism over alleged human rights abuses in Ogaden.

Ethiopia is aiming to generate $1 billion in revenue from mining exports in the fiscal year 2019/20, according to Betru Haile of the Ethiopia Ministry of Mines and Petroleum. The country is launching a mass sensitization campaign to combat illegal mining activities, which have been a factor in the low mining revenues of the previous year. Ethiopia's mining exports dropped to $49 million in 2018/19, marking a significant decrease. The government has set up gold trading centers to curb contraband and is optimistic about mining firms commencing production and those affected by foreign currency shortages and unrest resuming operations.

During President Barack Obama's visit to Ethiopia, a construction agreement was signed between the Ethiopian government and the US-Icelandic firm Reykjavik to initiate the first phase of the Corbetti geothermal electricity plant. This project, part of the Power Africa initiative, aims to provide 30,000 MW of clean electricity across Africa. The $4 billion plant will contribute to Ethiopia's goal of increasing its power generation capacity as part of its green growth strategy and economic plan, GTP II. The project is expected to take 8-10 years to complete and is seen as a significant step towards helping Ethiopia achieve middle-income status by enhancing its energy infrastructure.

In Ethiopia, erratic rainfall and droughts have severely impacted harvests and livestock, exacerbating food insecurity. Women, who are primarily responsible for feeding their families, are disproportionately affected due to patriarchal norms limiting their financial autonomy. To address this, Farm Africa and Mercy Corps have initiated over 300 village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) as part of the BRACED programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development. These groups empower women by providing them with financial training, loans, and support to diversify income sources and become more resilient to climate shocks. The article highlights the success stories of women like Workinesh Denda, who has started a business selling fuel-efficient stoves, and Shela Shekene, a farmer who invested in livestock. The savings groups have shown significant growth in weekly contributions, indicating the community's increasing engagement with the initiative.

In southern Ethiopia, women are facing the challenges of climate change, which has affected their harvests and food security. To combat this, over 300 village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) have been established to empower women financially. These groups, part of the BRACED programme funded by the UK Department for International Development and led by Farm Africa and Mercy Corps, allow women to save money and take out small loans to start businesses and diversify their income. The initiative also includes training in financial management and natural resource conservation. Success stories include Workinesh Denda's fuel-efficient stove business and Shela Shekene's cattle venture. The project has led to increased savings and is changing community attitudes towards women's economic roles.

Ethiopia's coffee industry, vital for its economy and cultural identity, is facing a severe threat from climate change. Rising temperatures and increased drought conditions have led to a 1.3 degrees Celsius increase in average temperature over the past 30 years in eastern Ethiopia, causing drought and disease in coffee plants. This has resulted in significant losses of coffee plantations annually. The Ethiopian government is encouraging farmers to cultivate coffee at higher altitudes to combat these challenges. The Ethiopia Coffee and Tea Development Marketing Authority is also providing training and introducing hardier coffee varieties. Despite these efforts, there is a risk that traditional coffee-growing culture may be lost, and the quality and taste of Ethiopian coffee could change if production shifts to new areas. The government is exploring new markets, such as China, to sustain the industry.

Ethiopia is taking steps to manage its forests better to combat climate change and promote development for its population. The government's Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy includes adding 5 million hectares of forests by 2020 and restoring 22 million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2030. The Oromia Forested Landscape Programme, supported by an initial $18 million from the World Bank, is a community-centered initiative that has started in the Chilimo Forest Reserve. Local cooperatives have been given rights to manage the forest, with incentives to use alternative resources and plant non-native trees for income. The program aims to reduce deforestation, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and protect water resources. However, challenges such as population pressure and illegal logging persist, and there is a call for education on forest conservation and stricter penalties for illegal activities.