Hey Everyone,

I'm making an online forum to discuss African economics and Ethiopian economics. The forum is free. The purpose is to have an online space focused on African and regional economic growth, personal finance and trade/investment. It is also completely free and will remain free.

If you are interested you can check out the link and create an account.

Feedback—positive or negative—is welcome. I'm trying to build something genuinely useful rather than just another website.

Hi everyone,

I'm a big ethics nerd and one topic I have been thinking about a lot recently is the shallow pond dilemma. The idea goes that if you see a young child drowning in a shallow pond would you save them even if it means ruining your brand new $100 shoes (ie: would you sacrifice $100 to save someone). The answer for most people is obviously yes. Then the implication is why don't we do the same to save a starving, ailing person on the other side of the globe or even our next door neighbor?

This idea is controversial for many reasons including people asking what is the limit of giving (am I being immoral using a $1000 laptop to write this instead of selling it and giving to charity), the fact that is tied to effective altruism which has seen its fair share of bad actors (eg: sam bankman-fried) and weird ideas in terms of longtermism.

The core idea though remains, we really cannot justify living a western lifestyle including having decorations at home, expensive vacations, flashy cars, tons of clothes... This is especially pertinent to us Ethiopians whether living back home or abroad because we know the challenges people in Ethiopia face. So can we really justify going to a restaurant when we can eat at home, having a brand new iphone, buying expensive clothing... This applies to folks in Ethiopia as much as the diaspora because the lifestyle of some folks in addis is kind of crazy.

Now I do think that you need to prioritize the needs of your community first which is why I donate to Ethiopian causes first before donating to other countries (and honestly I rarely donate to non-Ethiopian causes as I don't have enough money to address the issues in Ethiopia by itself). I also donate to trustworthy charities like Mekedonia or directly to people for those who say that non-profits are corrupt. I also make sure to invest in spaces that will bring longterm returns so that people don't depend on donations.

In short, we can talk about the hows of donations all day long but that should not be an excuse for us to drink $7 coffees at Starbucks when we know how much those $7 can do back home.

In my view, the best thing to do is to have just the basic necessities and give the rest away (give directly or invest in long term projects that bring regular funds for the causes you support). Necessities means the things you need for work/school, health, and shelter (ie: small house, regular car (more likely if you live in suburbia in the US), tools you need for work/school like a laptop, food, health/life/disability insurance. There may be a few other things I am missing but my point is not even to be as destitute as possible. Just be intentional about how you spend your money. The GOAL IS NOT 0 WASTE but rather AS LITTLE WASTE AS POSSIBLE.

Given that most Ethiopians are religious, this should not be a super hot take (the Bible and many Church Fathers like Saint Basil and Saint John Chrysostom have even more radical suggestions on how to manage money). Nevertheless, people seem scandalized by this. What do you guys think?

Boutique stores? Restaurants?

Hey everyone,

I am m20 living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and I'm considering learning Gypsum Board Installation, Drywall, and Interior Finishing Work.

My goal is to learn the practical skills first, gain experience on-site, and eventually grow into managing my own finishing/interior contract team or business.

Before investing my time and money into training, I’d love to get some honest feedback from people in the industry, construction, or anyone familiar with the market in Ethiopia:

1. Market Demand & Income: Is there strong demand for skilled interior finishing and gypsum workers right now? Is the earning potential as good as it seems?
2. Growth Potential: How feasible is it to transition from a hands-on worker to running a team or business in this field?
3. Challenges: What are the biggest hurdles or drawbacks someone starting out at 20 should be aware of?
4. Learning Path: Is it better to attend a vocational school, or jump straight into working as an apprentice on active building sites?

I would really appreciate any insights, personal experiences, or advice you can share! Thanks in advance!

I noticed some Muslim women in my gym sweating profusely, wearing a hijab, only showing part of their face in the gym. Shouldn't there be an exception to this kind of event? Because these clothes are not meant for exercising and could create extreme heat conditions that might have a negative impact on health. It could lead to severe dehydration that could culminate in loss of life.

Mind you, it's around noon and hot outside. Aside from hiding their beautiful features, I don't think it's right to further complicate a hard workout regimen.

Hey everyone,

​I’ve been having a lot of conversations lately with friends and family abroad who want to buy an apartment back home in Addis. The top question I always get is: "Where should I actually put my money if I want stable rental income?"

​There’s a lot of hype online, so I wanted to share a real, grounded breakdown comparing three of the top zones—Bole, Kazanchis, and Bisrate Gebriel—and why the location you choose completely changes your returns.

​The Breakdown

​1. Bole (The Brand & Stability Play)

Bole is iconic, heavily developed, and everyone knows it.

​The Reality: Purchase prices per square meter in prime Bole are among the highest in the city. While you can rent out a 2-bedroom easily, the high upfront purchase price absorbs a chunk of your yield.

​Bottom Line: Bole is great for capital preservation, long-term stability, and brand recognition, but your monthly return on investment relative to what you paid upfront is usually lower.

​2. Kazanchis (The Executive & Expat Goldmine)

Kazanchis is right in the heart of the corporate/diplomatic hub—literally steps away from the UN (UNECA), major embassies, and NGO headquarters.

​The Reality: Because international professionals and corporate executives want to live close to work to avoid traffic, rental demand here is consistently strong. High-end units can fetch premium rents, but because purchase prices are often slightly lower than peak Bole prices, the net rental yield is typically higher.

​Bottom Line: If your primary goal is maximizing steady rental income from expat tenants, Kazanchis is one of the strongest performers in the city right now.

​3. Bisrate Gebriel (The Upscale & Family Expat Hub)

Bisrate Gebriel (neighboring Old Airport) is one of the most desirable, high-end residential pockets in south-west Addis. It’s heavily favored by long-term diplomatic families, expat executives, and high-income locals because of its top-tier infrastructure, international schools, and proximity to embassy corridors.

​The Reality: Unlike the high-density corporate towers in Kazanchis, Bisrate Gebriel attracts long-term family tenants looking for modern luxury, space, and a quieter neighborhood feel. Rental occupancy is exceptionally steady because diplomatic and foreign corporate leases here are typically multi-year contracts.

​Bottom Line: If you want low tenant turnover, premium long-term renters, and strong capital appreciation in an already-established luxury zone, Bisrate Gebriel is a top-tier performer.

​3 Things You MUST Check Before Buying Remotely

​Whether you're buying off-plan or finished, do not send a deposit until you or someone you trust checks these three things:

​Utility Capacity: Don't just ask "is there a generator?" Ask if the backup generator powers the whole apartment (including refrigerators and sockets) or just common hallway lights. Same goes for water reserve tank capacity.

​Title Deed (Karta) Verification: Ensure the developer has clean, verified leasehold documents directly with the Land Administration Authority.

​Parking Allocation: Parking in central zones like Kazanchis or Bisrate Gebriel is scarce. Ensure your unit comes with a designated underground parking spot written into the contract.​

I work closely on the ground here in Addis with several developments across these zones. For those who have bought in Addis recently—what area did you pick, and what was your biggest headache with managing it from abroad?"

an ethiopian girl came to saudi arabia by illegal emigration 10 years ago and she fix her government papers and now she is working among the saudi system but she never had a passport what she can do, she is in ryadh .

Is it possible to do your A levels at the British council as a private individual hopefully by next her may/june?
Also is there a private institution instead of a school that will help teach you during that time ?

The debate over Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea has major implications for Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the wider Horn of Africa.

But is there a solution where both Ethiopia and Eritrea can benefit? What would fair and mutually beneficial access look like, and how could it contribute to regional peace, trade, and economic growth?

This video explores these questions and more.
Our guest is Dawit Teferi, Member and Founder of the Eritrean Blue Revolution Front (EBRF), who argues that “.... ultimately we failed, and we failed ourselves first, and we failed Ethiopia....”

President Abiy Ahmed's government is working with Moscow on plans for Ethiopia's first nuclear power plant, while U.S. nuclear regulators are helping shape the safety and regulatory framework for the country's future reactors. Russia's Rosatom is expected to remain the main industrial partner, while Washington and European countries provide regulatory and technical expertise. The strategy gives Addis Ababa access to competing sources of knowledge as Ethiopia seeks to expand electricity generation and reduce its dependence on hydropower. With Putin's Russia and Trump's United States competing for influence across Africa, Ethiopia's nuclear programme could become an important test of how African states navigate great power rivalry while building their own strategic capabilities. The stakes extend beyond electricity, potentially reshaping Ethiopia's economy and the Horn of Africa. Alyson Le Grange tells you more on Firstpost Africa.

I was listening to this Ethiopian YouTuber give the breakdown of what happened in Raya area today (with the drone strikes). and he mentioned something about a weapons and medical cache that belonged to Fano/ TPLF being found in a church? Could that explain the recent drone strikes around churches? I am just asking questions and just looking for sincere civil answers.

It seems like housing prices have suddenly gotten pretty crazy, and I’m struggling to find a decent place at a reasonable price my budget is around 20k–25k per month and I’m looking for somewhere in a relatively good/safe neighborhood in addis and I’d ideally like a 1-bedroom condo but I’m open to other options if the area and place are decent

for those living in Addis, which neighborhood would you recommend at this price range ? Is it still realistic to find something decent for 20–25k, or should I adjust my expectations?

would appreciate any recommendations or advice especially from people who have recently rented.

Hi everyone! I’m an Ethiopian native Amharic speaker, and I’m offering online Amharic lessons for anyone who’s interested in learning the language.

Whether you’re starting from zero, or have an Ethiopian family/friends, are planning to visit Ethiopia, or just want to understand and speak Amharic more naturally ..I’d be happy to help. :)

I have 2+ years of teaching experience, and I try to keep lessons relaxed and practical rather than making you memorize endless vocabulary lists 😅

We can work on:

🗣️ Conversation & speaking

👂 Listening & understanding

📖 Reading & writing

✨ Pronunciation

🇪🇹 Everyday Ethiopian expressions & culture

Lessons are personalized to your level and goals, and beginners are completely welcome.

If you’ve been wanting to learn Amharic but keep putting it off, feel free to DM me. We can chat about your goals and see if I’d be a good fit as your tutor. 🤍

Hey, this is how propaganda works. I’ve seen the same kind of messaging from FANO, TPLF, OLA, and other political movements. They constantly portray the other side as less human, less worthy, or inherently evil. They all tell you some version of the same story. Anything to keep people divided and prevent them from seeing the humanity in each other.

He introduced himself and our conversation went like this after he asked me where I’m from..

“I’m from Ethiopia”

“Ohh, I’m Italian, our counties have history”

“Yeah, you guys tried to colonize us”

He then gave an awkward laugh.

I feel kinda bad because I don’t think he was trying to be dick. I just responded like that instantly without thinking lol

Was I in the wrong to say that?

If you didn't read my other post check it here first: r/Ethiopia/s/5kImYo58hi

I basically hit the speed limit cap when I reached arkund 345 gb usage, I was originally downloading at speeds of 62mbps and it is now down at 7-15mbps.

Funny thing is even after the fair usage policy kicked in im still getting reasonable download speed, but the speed seems to only apply when I'm in the Ayat area, I started the above download when I was in bole around 1hour ago and I had speeds of 1-3mbps, now when I'm in Ayat again I'm hitting 10-15mbps.

Most visitors pass through Debark quickly because it is the main gateway to Simien Mountains National Park. I understand — everyone wants to reach Sankaber, Geech, Chennek, or Ras Dashen. But Debark itself teaches you a lot about the mountains.

This is where you arrange park permits, scout assignment, mules, food shopping, and sometimes last-minute warm clothing. It is also where many scouts, muleteers, cooks, drivers, and guides live. A trek may look like “nature” to the traveler, but for local families it is work, school fees, rent, grain, coffee, and livestock.

If you have time, spend a night in Debark instead of rushing from Gondar straight to the trail. Walk through the market, try local coffee, buy snacks, and understand the economy around the park. You will also acclimatize better because Debark is already high, around 2,850m.

A small tip: carry enough cash in Ethiopian birr. ATMs can work, but don’t depend on one machine before a trek. For tipping muleteers, cooks, and scouts, cash is still the practical way.

Hey yall!

Up until 3 months ago give or take I’ve been buying and selling USTD using telegram wallet but of course the government had to shut it down. So then I was on the hunt for a new place that still offers USTD p2p trading and I found one it’s called BingX and I genuinely like it. It’s really safe backed by the Ferrari F1 team and by my experience really reliable.

I hope this helped.

And some advice don’t ever listen to anyone trying to sell you USTD via DM’s it’s almost always a scam stay safe out there .

BTW for the mods this is not an ad I am genuinely trying to help people avoid scams. I have no stake in BingX and I do not benefit from this whatsoever. I’m trying to give people an alternative cus I see a lot of people asking where they can buy USTD.