Dodai, Ethiopia’s leading Emotorbike manufacturer and distributor, has announced a groundbreaking initiative to cover the cost of license plates for its first 250 customers. This move marks a historic step in making Emotorbike ownership more accessible and affordable in Ethiopia, paving the way for a greener future.

As part of this initiative, Dodai has supported its customers in establishing the first ever Electricmotorbike owners Association in Ethiopia  with over 280 members currently, a pioneering effort to streamline the licensing process for electric vehicle owners. The association will provide support and resources to ensure a seamless transition to sustainable transportation, further enhancing the ownership experience and making sure members follow proper city traffic regulations.

Dodai founder and CEO Yuma Sasaki stated, “We are thrilled to have sold over 750 electric motorbikes, a milestone that has enabled us to launch this initiative. By covering license plate costs and establishing this association, we are not only simplifying the ownership process but also advancing Ethiopia’s electric mobility revolution. Our goal is to make sustainable transportation accessible to all.”

At the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, held under the theme of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), delivered a powerful statement addressing the historical injustices faced by African nations and their people.

In his opening remarks, Gatete expressed gratitude to the African Union Commission for prioritizing the theme of reparations and commended AU Chairperson Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat for his exemplary leadership. He acknowledged the commitment of Heads of State and Government to launch the reparations theme in their countries, signaling a unified resolve to seek justice for Africa and its diaspora.

Gatete emphasized the lasting impact of the transatlantic slave trade and colonial exploitation, which he argued robbed Africa of its people, resources, and dignity. He pointed out that these historical injustices have resulted in persistent inequalities in global financial systems, trade structures, and governance institutions that continue to afflict the continent today.

Highlighting Africa’s economic potential, he noted that the continent is home to 30% of the world’s mineral reserves and 65% of arable land. Yet, Africa accounts for a meager 3% of global trade and only 1% of manufacturing output. This stark contrast, he argued, is due to entrenched structural barriers that perpetuate economic dependency.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved over $31 million in funding under its African Climate Action Window (CAW) to strengthen climate resilience in Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Madagascar.

The Climate Action Window of the Bank Group’s African Development Fund seeks to mobilize $4 billion by 2025 to provide rapid and coherent access to climate finance, support co-financing, and prioritize the most vulnerable countries, fragile states, and those affected by conflict. The African Development Fund is the concessional arm of the Bank Group.

The funding, approved in November and December 2024,  will support innovative projects that respond to the CAW’s first call for project proposals. Forty-one pioneering climate adaptation projects valued at $321.75 million have been selected in the initial funding wave, with a focus on tackling climate change, bolstering livelihoods of vulnerable communities, including women and youth, and enhancing climate information systems.

A delegation comprising representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, and the European Union arrived in Mekelle [Tuesday] to discuss the current situation in Tigray…The visit comes amid a deepening rift within the TPLF, particularly between factions led by Debretsion Gebremichael and Interim Administration President Getachew Reda, with tensions escalating since the TPLF’s 14th Congress. This internal split previously led to Debretsion’s group removing Getachew and others from their roles, while the interim administration under Getachew repeatedly accused Debretsion’s faction of attempting to “destabilize” the region through a “coup d’état.” Tensions have risen recently after some senior members of the Tigray military forces made an unprecedented announcement calling for the dissolution and restructuring of the region’s interim administration. They expressed support for one faction within the TPLF’s politic