Ethiopian Mineral Corporation (EMC) launches a digital gemstone trading platform to transform the way minerals are purchased and sold.
As indicated on the launching ceremony held on July 12, 2023 at Sheraton Addis luxury hotel with the presence of various stakeholders, the platform is set to provide a seamless and secure online marketplace for traders and enthusiasts’ worldwide, enabling efficient communication and transactions between buyers and sellers. Additionally, the platform aims to accommodate other exportable mineral commodities, drawing it a step closer to the government’s “digital Ethiopia vision 2025” in the mineral industry.

It is stated that the digital platform showcases an extensive collection of gemstones from around the globe, including opal, rubles, emeralds, sapphires, and more. Each listing provides detailed information about the gemstone’s characteristics, grading, and origin, ensuring transparency and authenticity. On its end, the EMC will implement a rigorous verification process to ensure all gemstones listed on the platform meet the highest quality standards.
Developed by EagleLion Technology System, the Ethiopian Minerals system is supported by Dashen Bank. The platform uses Mastercard’s Payment Gateway Service (MPGS) for secure transactions, ensuring the safety of transactions and protecting the interests of buyers and product suppliers. Mastercard is an official partner with EMC, working on product development, standardization, promotion; marketing, training, capacity development, and technical advisory support to ensure Ethiopian minerals become a world-class digital platform.
“EMC is aware of the digital transformation occurring in the mining industry globally and is determined to reform itself into a leading force contributing to Ethiopia’s economy. With years of industry experience and a dedication to innovation, EMC is now proud to offer cutting-edge digital trading platform for gemstones and other exportable mineral commodities using its Ethiopian Minerals digital trading platform,” said Rahel Getachew, head of the corporation.

As part of its silver jubilee celebrations, and continued social impact, Capital newspaper in partnership with SAMANU FMGC and SMLH ONM Ethiopia, gives back to the community.
The media house which has often been an avid supporter of the community through its CSR initiatives this time around donated different basic consumer goods to the need, courtesy of Ethiopia’s largest FMCG platform SAMANU and Société des Membres de la Légion d’Honneur and National Order of Merit (SMLH-ONM) which is formed to strengthen cooperation and friendship between French and Ethiopian communities.

The contribution sought to give back to the parents of Hizbawi Serawit School who have been direly affected during these peak times of inflation.
During the donation ceremony which was held on Saturday July 15, at the school premises, Teguest Yilma, Managing Editor of Capital, said that over the years Capital has played a pivotal role in rendering much needed support to the community where need arose.
She further elaborated that the media house has been vocal and keen over the years in improving the educational system as well as in donating educational materials and direct support to parents and students in different institutions across the country.
At the ceremony, Education Bureau heads and relevant government officials appreciated the initiative that Capital took and called on others to follow suit.
SAMANU FMGC is one of the leading basic commodities like edible oil, macaroni and cleaning products manufacturer in Ethiopia.
The association of SMLH – Ethiopia was formed in 2013 by the recipients of the French government’s award of the Legion of Honor in recognition of eminent services rendered to their country and the strengthening of franco-ethiopian bilateral relations.
Textbooks, edible oil, pasta, powder soap and flour were donated to the parents in need under the guidance and selection of the school committee.

Libya Oil Group, OLA Energy, has announced the launch of its new brand, for its extensive pan-African network of retail outlets and petroleum products.
Under the OLA Energy brand, the company announced it will focus on exceptional customer care and offer complementary services to meet evolving needs.
On an event held on Thursday July 13, 2023 while unveiling the new brand in Ethiopia, the company stated that the brand reflects the Group’s vision to be Africa’s downstream marketer of choice, shaping African energy and empowering African-born prosperity.
The new retail visual identity was implemented in 13 countries, including Niger, Mali, Gabon, Reunion Island, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. The brand was phased out throughout the Group’s entire pan-African network, bringing a fresh, modern look to over 1300 stations in 17 countries of operation.
The new brand which companied orange, blue and white colors stated that the orange-blue color scheme reflects the energy and vitality of the business, as well as the high-quality standards of the brand whilst promising a variety of refreshing, customer-oriented products and services at service stations.
The company is set to introduce a new range of fresh retail experiences to customers, in keeping with its mission to deliver the highest quality services to every visitor to its service stations across the continent.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is making significant investments in capabilities to create an agile workplace that is engaging and productive, developing the skills of employees to compete in a digital age of artificial intelligence and big data.

“CCBA’s digital transformation journey is an integral component to take us into the future, remain relevant and future-proof our business. It will give us a competitive advantage, the agility to anticipate and respond to changes in our environment and satisfy and respond to customers and consumers’ real-time needs,” said the company’s chief people and culture officer, Cathy Albertyn.

“This is especially relevant as we mark World Youth Skills Day because we know that the future of work will involve integrating new digital technologies with a highly skilled workforce to remain competitive.

“Young people in the early stages of their careers will benefit in the future from acquiring the skills to use this technology to the greatest effect. As we digitalise our business, our employees are learning these sought-after skills.

“We are digitalising our business processes in many ways, including through a single end-to-end enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform.

“This ERP platform will meet our business’ current and future needs, across all our markets, while providing data driven real-time business intelligence.

CCBA is also accelerating its participation in the digital economy through its e-commerce platform, MyCCBA. The platform assists sales teams by empowering customers to place orders directly with CCBA online, from any device, at any time, to better meet their needs.

“By investing in MyCCBA, we enhance the customer experience of our fastest-growing channel, ensuring customer loyalty and repeat business,” said Albertyn.

This platform is currently rolled out in South Africa and Kenya, with over 34,000 registered customers in South Africa and over 3,500 customers in Kenya, with up to 5,500 daily visitors to the site. Mozambique and Ethiopia have also just launched, with two more countries planned in 2023.

These initiatives will accelerate CCBA’s operations to world-class levels, equipping employees with valuable skills in an increasingly digital world of work.

“At CCBA, we have an inspiring work environment, where highly skilled people feel challenged, engaged and motivated,” said Albertyn.

CCBA also supports youth to become more employable through its Graduates in Training programmes.

Last year, for example, CCBA in Mozambique recruited graduates in the fields of Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Transportation, Mechanical Engineering and Informatics and Telecommunication Engineering.

The company established partnerships with public and private universities across the country and signed a partnership with a non-profit organisation, Field Ready, to support the recruitment and selection of talented graduates in training.

The graduates each have a one-year contact and need to develop a project or more in each function according to the needs of the function, with some focusing on resolving operational issues and others developing custom apps.

In Namibia, half the students recruited into CCBA in Namibia’s Graduate Internship Training programme were female. They will be intensively trained, coached and exposed to various functions and will be expected to bring new ideas, innovation, passion and drive to the company. The programme runs over 12 months, after which the opportunity exists to be considered for a permanent placement in the company.

“Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value chain. Opportunity is more than just money, it’s about a better future for people and their communities everywhere on the African continent,” said Albertyn.

“When we grow our business the right way, not just the easy way, we help create inclusive growth opportunities for our communities, women and youth, our customers, our employees and our shareholders, for a better shared future.”