
Ethiopian Airlines Partners Panasonic Avionics to Equip Boeing 777X Fleet with New In-Flight Entertainment
Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Avionics), the world’s leading supplier of in-flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) solutions, has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to install its Astrova in-flight entertainment (IFE) solution on the carrier’s new Boeing 777X fleet. Astrova will be line fit on the eight Boeing 777-9 aircraft that the flag carrier of Ethiopia has on order, with the first scheduled to enter service in 2028. This deal shows Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova commitment in Africa and highlights Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term vision of providing a cutting-edge experience to its passengers. Astrova will transform Ethiopian Airlines’ in-flight experience by offering passengers a fully immersive experience. This includes industry-leading 4K OLED HDR10+ screens delivering unparalleled high-definition cinema quality visuals and premium quality audio powered by Panasonic Avionics’ latest Bluetooth®* technology. Each Ethiopian Airlines passenger will have access to up to 100W of USB-C direct current power at their seat, enabling fast charging in all phases of flight to fast charge mobile phones, tablets, compatible laptops, and other personal electronic devices. Panasonic Avionics' newest IFE seat-end solution also includes programmable LED lighting, designed to improve the passenger experience while enabling the airline to fine-tune the cabin environment for optimal comfort and ambiance, according to a press release issued by the airlines. On the occasion, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, stated “Our new 777 fleet marks a significant leap in passenger experience, with innovative and engaging in-flight entertainment playing a key role. Astrova was the natural choice for Ethiopian Airlines, and we are confident it will redefine our inflight offering for years to come.” Hernan Abbes, Vice President of Global Sales at Panasonic Avionics, said: “We are excited to be supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ growth and vision, and are proud that our Astrova system will be an integral part of their new flagship fleet. Astrova is designed to provide an immersive and unparalleled inflight experience for passengers, and we believe it will help them deliver the highest standards of passenger service.”
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Ethiopia Shares Best Experiences on Modernizing Data for #IGAD Member States
Ethiopia has shared its modernizing data and on how to organize institutions to IGAD member countries, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa revealed. Briefing water ministers of IGAD member countries and senior experts about Ethiopia’s best experiences in modernizing data and on how to organize institutions today, Habtamu stated that Ethiopia has done significant work on how data is modernizing in hydrology, and methodology among others. The other experience you can have from Ethiopia is how we are organizing institutions, he said, adding we have high-level institutional staffs and most of them have research capacities as well. So, he added when we talk about data, it is about scientific data, which will serve as an input for any decision for IGAD. During the occasion, the minister also stressed the need to share similar crucial experiences among member countries which will help us on how we can share data for the betterment of the region. IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) Officer in Charge Abdi Fidar said for his part that data sharing is very crucial and he praised Ethiopia for sharing its best experiences. “We need to get the data from our member states. If you get the right data, you will be able to predict what is happening.” Stating that #ICPAC monthly updates the weather forecast, he said, but it is meaningless if the forecast is not accessed by IGAD member states. Recall that the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), in collaboration with partners, organized the 70th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 70) from 19th to 20th of May 2025 in Addis Ababa. The forum, an annual gathering organized three times a year by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), brings together climate scientists, meteorologists, sector experts, and policymakers from across the region and beyond.

Conference Addressing Africa's #ID4D Priorities Underway in Addis Ababa
The ID4Africa Annual General Meeting (AGM), a premier conference and expo focused on addressing Africa’s ID4D (Identification for Development) priorities across the continent, opened in the presence of Ethiopia's Prime Minister @Abiy Ahmed Ali this morning. The ID4Africa Annual General Meeting will be held for May 20-23, 2025. The ID4Africa Annual General Meeting is a pan-African movement committed to supporting African nations in building robust and responsible identity ecosystems that drive socio-economic development, digital transformation, and humanitarian efforts. As the largest and most influential gathering of its kind, the AGM has brought together a diverse network of key stakeholders, primarily African government officials, development agencies, industry innovators, civil society, among others. Opening of the annual ID4Africa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized Ethiopia’s transition from a fragmented ID system to Fayda — a secure, inclusive digital ID initiative launched under the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy. With over 15 million people already enrolled and a target of 90 million, Fayda is connecting all citizens — particularly women, youth, and displaced communities — to essential services.Integrated across key sectors such as finance, health, and education, Fayda is already enabling 9.6 trillion Birr in digital transactions, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Ethiopia Delivers on AI Potential, Paves the Way for African Innovation, Says Director-General Worku
Ethiopia has been delivering successes on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) potential and its achievements in this sphere signal broader continental advancement, the Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Worku Gachena remarked. Ethiopia hosted the East Africa’s largest ever Ethiopian Technology Expo (ETEX 2025) over weekend at Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa. Speaking at the opening of the expo, Worku said today Africa stands at the essential moment where the continent can harness the power of innovation, collaboration and shared determination to place AI at the forefront of African development. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the director general said that Ethiopia declared its intention to lead in the emerging field of AI by establishing the Ethiopian Artificial Institute. “From our early days the Prime Minister has championed Ethiopia’s AI development, declared critical resources, convincing and experts to make this vision into reality. Rather than begin with regulation, we developed a unique approach,” he noted. Worku explained that Ethiopia first unlocked innovation by piloting IA solutions across health, agriculture, transport, costumes, judiciary, law enforcement, public service infrastructure development, natural language, finance, skills and talent development. Guided by the policy, the director general pointed out that Ethiopia’s vision is to become the premium African center for AI research and development by 2030. He also stressed the need for generating homegrown scalable solutions that improve lives across the African continent. “Our mission is encapsulated by the motto AI for all to foster data driven AI systems that address pressing challenges, enhance efficiency, boost productivity in every sectors—from health to agriculture and finance,” he underscored. Further elaborating successes stories Ethiopia has been witnessing in the AI sphere, Worku noted that his country has been delivering concrete results. He also acknowledged governments across the African continent are drafting policies, strategies and startups are in various sectors of the economy. “Yet our progress needs not end and should not end in national borders”, he said, adding that Ethiopia stands ready to share its lesson from the AI institute and the private sectors. Indicating the ongoing expo brought together ministers, ambassadors and the African commissioners, the director general stated that this shows Africa understood AI is not a future luxury it is 20st century impressive.

Foreign Technology Companies Witness Ethiopia’s Potential in Digital Sector
Foreign technology companies have witnessed the immense potential of Ethiopia for digital transformation and expressed interest to invest in the sector. Cloud computing and big data services provider company, Inspur Group, Regional Marketing Director, Luis Liu told ENA his company has been in Ethiopia for many years providing several services to the country. For instance, providing Ethio telecom with SIM card management system; working with Ministry of Education in providing with student information management system as well as providing data center solution for AU buildings are among the digital solutions the company has been implementing in the country, he added. Liu pointed out that the market of technology in Ethiopia is growing very fast and recently, the government of Ethiopia is also focusing a lot on this sector. Hence, it is a very good opportunity for his company to be in Ethiopia to develop its business thereby helping the country to develop its own technology as well as providing trainings and work opportunities, he stated. “Market of technology in Ethiopia is growing very fast; and recently, the government of Ethiopia is also focusing on this sector. So, it is a very good opportunity for our company to be here to develop our business while helping the country to develop its own technology. We are also contributing to the trainings and providing work opportunities to this country,” he explained. Elaborating as one of the biggest provider of technology solutions, the company will use its rich experiences to become a preferred technology provider in the country, contributing for the development process of Ethiopia. “I think we could use our rich experiences and bring solutions here in Ethiopia to make contribution to education, hospital digitalization services, smart cities and public facilities,” he noted. NUCTECH Company Country Manager, Sophie Zhao, on her part emphasized the potential and achievements of Ethiopia in the digital sector. The country manager stated that Ethiopia is going through a digital transformation with impressive achievements, expressing her confidence on Ethiopia to be one of the top players in the digital world. “Ethiopia is a land of very promising future. It has achieved encouraging achievements in the digital sector. We have witnessed remarkable achievements that the nation has developed various technologies by itself and it is impressive,” Zhao stated. She pointed out that her company has global experience and would help Ethiopia to fully utilize opportunities and digitalize the country. “We have the solution for smart airport, smart border control, smart logistics, smart harbor, etc. So we are here to putting our smart solutions to Ethiopia and support the country’s ambitious goal of digitalization,” she underscored. Expressing her company’s commitment to collaborate with Ethiopia for future development in modernization and digitization, she revealed her company’s plan to have transit center in Ethiopia to transit equipment and spare parts to the surrounding countries. “…We are going to have transit center in Ethiopia to transit our spare parts and equipment to surrounding countries. I know you have industry zone around Addis Ababa and some other places. So we are going to first set up transit center that is about our future plan,” she added. On his part, Mitsumi Distribution Country Manager, Alpesh Patel said that as Ethiopia is a big country in both land and population wise, it has huge potential and opportunities for digital transformation. Moreover, there is high demand from the population and institutions such as government offices, banks and students are very much eager to adopt new technology, he added; indicating that his company’s plan to do investment in Ethiopia for future. “Our head office is in Kenya, we are planning and pushing to do the same business here in Ethiopia for future,” he noted.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Enters #Ethiopian Electric Vehicle Market
Leading Chinese automotive manufacturer, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), has entered the Ethiopian electric vehicle (EV) market and marking a crucial step in the country's transition towards sustainable transportation. The company has launched a range of electric vehicles in Addis Ababa and has partnered with another Chinese company, Huajian, to provide sales and after-sales services nationwide. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission, Zeleke Temesgen said that since the last seven years Ethiopia has done lots of amendments of investment policies to attract foreign investors especially manufacturers. "Over the past six to seven years, the Ethiopia government has taken very bold measures, particularly to open up the economy and more particularly also to attract foreign investment into Ethiopia" he emphasized, Adding, "We can mention some tangible actions which actually shows the level of commitment as well as how serious the Ethiopian government is to attract foreign investment to Ethiopia". According to the commissioner, as part of these economic reforms, Ethiopia has amended its investment laws to attract a greater influx of foreign investors, broadening the scope of engagement through these legal changes. Bareo Hassen, State Minister of Logistics and Transport, on his part announced a significant partnership where the world's second-largest EV manufacturer will support the nation's green mobility implementation through knowledge and technology transfer. The state minister also emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "The company's entry into Ethiopia will greatly aid the green mobility execution". As the world's second-largest electric vehicle maker with a significant global presence, GAC Groups' goals align perfectly with Ethiopia's green mobility vision, Bareo emphasized, noting that Ethiopia aims not only to import electric vehicles but also to establish local production for export and the company will contribute substantially to the transfer of vital knowledge and technology. Wei Haigang, President of GAC International, on his part affirmed Ethiopia's favorable investment potential. "Ethiopia stands out as one of our key strategic markets in Africa, particularly in East Africa. The Ethiopian government's strong emphasis on electric vehicles and green mobility is a significant factor in our decision to enter this market," he underscored. Huajian Chairman Zhang Huarong also elaborated the compelling electricity-to-fuel cost ratio in Ethiopia, which reinforces GAC's confidence in the New Energy Vehicle market. The chairman further outlined the company's ambitious goal to achieve a 30 percent market share for GAC AION in Ethiopia by 2030, with the aim of establishing intelligent EVs as the hallmark of green urban mobility. The company's objectives include developing high-quality, sustainable transportation solutions and invigorating Ethiopia's expanding EV market by supplying models such as the ES9 PHEV, E8, and AION Y to Ethiopian consumers.



























