Op-ed

Some years ago, while working in the private sector, a senior colleague once told me that “good intentions do not always yield good outcomes.” At the time, I downplayed it as the sort of pessimism that comes with experience. After all, we are often taught that passion and commitment—the willingness...

Stroll through the capital today and one sees the unmistakable dominance of “bonda” – second-hand clothes stacked high, from branded jackets to jeans that once hung in European wardrobes. Affordable, durable, and ubiquitous, these garments have quietly captured more than half of Ethiopia’s apparel market. Yet their very success exposes...

If there is any sector that truly sets Ethiopia apart in Africa—beyond the global acclaim of Ethiopian Airlines—it is leather. Across the continent, countries grow coffee, raise livestock, and produce agricultural commodities similar to Ethiopia’s. But few can claim the same global recognition for high-quality hides and skins. For decades,...

In textbook economics, markets are governed by the invisible hand of supply and demand. Prices are meant to reflect scarcity and utility, guided by rational decision-making and a steady flow of information. But in Ethiopia, where formal institutions are weak and trust in data is scarce, the real invisible hand...

A few months ago, at a small meeting in Addis Ababa, a well-known economist said something that stayed with me: “Not everyone can be an employer—and not everyone should be.”  That moment inspired me to reflect more deeply on the growing startup wave in Ethiopia—and the silent devaluation of formal...

If a foreigner somewhere in Europe, North America, or Asia happens to know something about Ethiopia, it’s likely one of two things: the persistent image of a poverty-stricken nation or the more fragrant, romantic notion of Ethiopian coffee. Let’s put aside the former — a story too often told by...

Addis Ababa has seen a remarkable transformation over the past year. A city once marked by unregulated growth and deteriorating infrastructure is now being reshaped through an ambitious urban renewal program. Neighborhoods that previously had the appearance of shanty towns have been transformed into areas that convey a feeling of...

Throughout my career, I rarely gave thought to the feelings of my colleagues, a mindset that took root early on and persisted for years. When I embarked on my professional journey—starting with a full-time role in a fast-paced newsroom where the relentless drive to deliver stories overshadowed any concern for...

When my friends first suggested a trip to Zanzibar, I hesitated. The idea was enticing—I instinctively agreed—but doubts soon crept in. Was it worth spending an entire year’s savings on travel? Even the night before departure, I found myself questioning my decision. But the moment I stepped off the plane...

It is truly perplexing how quickly electric vehicles (EVs) have taken over the streets of Addis Ababa. A city once renowned as a haven for aging cars, often a patchwork of old models repaired and reused for decades, has suddenly transformed into a hub of modernity with thousands of EVs...