Rammis Bank has officially unveiled its new Rammis Mobile Application and Card Banking services, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s commitment to advancing digital banking solutions in Ethiopia. The launch event took place at the Grand Eliana Hotel and was attended by the Bank’s Board Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, senior management, and distinguished guests.

Despite being operational for just two years, Rammis Bank has demonstrated rapid growth and a strong focus on technological innovation. In their remarks, Board Chairman Rabi Hussein and CEO Ali Ahmed Ali emphasized the bank’s dedication to expanding its digital offerings and enhancing customer satisfaction through cutting-edge technology.

The newly launched Rammis Mobile app provides customers with a seamless platform to perform a variety of transactions, including money transfers, bill payments, mobile top-ups, and transferring funds to Tele Birr wallets for themselves or others. This all-in-one mobile solution aims to simplify banking and bring convenience to users’ fingertips.

Complementing the mobile app, the Rammis Card Banking service enables customers to withdraw cash from any ATM across the country and make payments at POS terminals in supermarkets and shopping centers. This service expands access and flexibility for customers, supporting everyday financial needs.

Ali Ahmed, CEO of Rammis Bank, highlighted that these digital initiatives have effectively addressed current customer needs and guided users toward embracing the digital banking ecosystem. “Our commitment to leveraging advanced technologies will continue to strengthen our connection with customers and create new opportunities for growth,” he stated.

Rammis Bank’s digital transformation is supported by the implementation of Azentio Software’s iMAL platform, a globally recognized Islamic banking solution that facilitates rapid deployment of Sharia-compliant products and streamlines banking operations.

Ethiopia is navigating a challenging global investment climate with cautious progress in its digital economy, according to the newly released World Investment Report 2025 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report, which analyzes international investment trends with a special focus on the digital sector, highlights both opportunities and persistent vulnerabilities for Ethiopia as it seeks to accelerate digital transformation and attract foreign capital.

The report paints a sobering picture for developing economies: “Global foreign direct investment fell by 11 per cent in 2024, to $1.5 trillion. Infrastructure investment is slowing. Industrial investment is under strain. And developing countries – those most in need – are being left behind,” writes UN Secretary-General António Guterres in the preface. Despite this, the digital economy stands out as a relative bright spot—though growth remains “highly uneven” and concentrated in a handful of countries.

For Ethiopia, the report notes that digital connectivity and investment are “essential to closing the digital divide,” but warns that “many structurally weak and vulnerable economies remain marginalized, constrained by inadequate digital infrastructure, limited digital skills and policy and regulatory uncertainty”. While more than $500 billion in greenfield investment in the digital economy has flowed to developing countries over the past five years, most of this capital has bypassed the least developed and landlocked nations, including Ethiopia.

The World Investment Report 2025 urges governments like Ethiopia’s to create “an enabling environment for sustainable investment in the digital economy.” It points to the need for integrated digital strategies that are connected to broader industrial and investment agendas, as well as improvements in data governance and regulatory frameworks. The report also highlights the catalytic role of development finance institutions and blended finance mechanisms in scaling up digital investment, especially for countries facing high borrowing costs and limited access to private capital.

Despite global headwinds, Ethiopia is recognized for its efforts to modernize its digital landscape and attract international partners. However, UNCTAD cautions that “gaps in data governance, poorly calibrated intellectual property frameworks that neither encourage innovation nor facilitate knowledge sharing, and fragmented regulatory regimes continue to hold back progress”.

The report concludes with a call to action for Ethiopia and its peers: “The digital transformation is not an inevitability—it is a choice. We must choose to make it inclusive. We must choose to make it sustainable. We must choose to ensure that the next chapter of investment does not simply digitize inequality but evens the playing field of our digital world”.

The newly established Ethiopian Real Estate Developers Association (EREDA) has announced plans to implement self-regulation for its members to enhance the sector’s damaged reputation.

Formed just weeks ago, the association highlighted the long-standing absence of a regulatory body in an industry that has been active for nearly three decades.

According to EREDA’s founders, who include prominent figures from Ethiopia’s construction sector, the real estate market has become highly risky, losing public trust as developers frequently fail to deliver homes on time or as promised.

To address these challenges, the association intends to collaborate closely with the government to facilitate sector development and attract investment, both crucial for national economic growth.

EREDA will also mediate disputes between developers and buyers to resolve conflicts amicably.

The association recently announced plans to introduce ethical guidelines and regulations to govern the sector, recognizing that unethical practices have negatively impacted many lives.

One of EREDA’s primary objectives is to rehabilitate the industry’s image and promote smoother growth.

“We will implement self-regulation to protect the sector’s reputation while establishing a mechanism to arbitrate disputes between developers and buyers,” stated the founders.

However, some experts have expressed concerns about the association’s authority, questioning whether it will possess sufficient power to enforce compliance and penalize developers who exploit buyers.

During EREDA’s official launch at the Sheraton Addis on June 14, Addis Ababa University Urban Development Professor Thomas Girmay presented findings indicating that nearly half of homebuyers are dissatisfied with properties received from developers. Common complaints include poor construction quality, price increases, delays, and other issues.

“Public perception of real estate developers is currently negative, and the sector’s image needs correction,” he noted.

Girmay, along with other experts and EREDA’s founders, agreed that addressing key challenges—such as securing sustainable financing, lowering interest rates, improving land accessibility, and ensuring affordable construction materials—is essential for the sector’s growth.

Housing shortages remain a critical issue in Ethiopia’s urban areas. Despite government-led housing initiatives, the rapidly growing demand far outpaces supply, with private developers often providing unaffordable or limited solutions.

Sector experts assert that EREDA’s formation represents a significant effort to restore credibility and accountability in a sector vital to Ethiopia’s development.

Calls to establish a minimum wage for Ethiopia’s floriculture and horticulture industries are gaining momentum, following a high-level workshop organized by Fairtrade Africa (FTA) in Addis Ababa. The event brought together government officials, trade union leaders, and industry representatives to address wage challenges faced by workers in these vital export sectors.

The workshop is part of Fairtrade Africa’s “Donuts-Ethiopian Flowers Project,” which aims to improve the livelihoods and rights of workers on six Fairtrade-certified flower farms across the country. As Ethiopia’s floriculture and horticulture sectors continue to expand, concerns over fair compensation and sustainable working conditions have come to the forefront of national dialogue.

Experts at the workshop unanimously agreed that setting a minimum wage is a critical step toward improving the economic well-being of workers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry. The forum provided a platform for sharing information, best practices, and strategies related to wage determination and living wage initiatives.

“By working together, we can address gaps in workers’ rights and ensure fair working conditions and wages for those in the flower and horticulture industries,” said Meselech Dejene, an expert from the Ministry of Labor and Skills.

Yohanes Abebe, adviser to the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA), reiterated the association’s commitment to protecting both workers’ and employers’ rights while attracting long-term investment. He acknowledged that despite Ethiopia’s strong potential in the sector, challenges remain in adopting modern technologies that could boost productivity and, ultimately, wages.

The EHPEA emphasized its goal of achieving sustainable industrial peace and ensuring that employers pay at least the minimum wage, with a broader vision of moving toward a living wage for all workers.

Fairtrade Africa underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration for the future of the floriculture and horticulture sectors, stating, “This workshop is an important step not only for the growth of Ethiopia’s floral and horticulture sector but also for prioritizing the well-being of its employees.”

As a leading advocate for fair trade, Fairtrade Africa supports over one million farmers and workers across 33 countries, promoting systems where marginalized producers receive fair compensation and protection from exploitation.

The recent dialogue marks a significant step toward normalizing fair compensation practices in Ethiopia’s floriculture and horticulture sectors, laying the groundwork for a more equitable and sustainable industry that benefits both workers and employers.