Egypt accused Ethiopia of mismanaging the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), claiming excess water releases caused severe Nile flooding in Sudan and threatened downstream communities. Cairo said the releases occurred without coordination and violated international norms. Ethiopia has not issued an official response. The incident follows the dam’s recent inauguration and has reignited diplomatic tensions over Nile water rights and Ethiopia’s control of regional water flows.

A new World Bank report revealed Safaricom Ethiopia incurred USD 325 million in losses in 2024. The study accused Ethio Telecom of unfair pricing and blocking rival apps like M-Pesa, urging market reforms. Safaricom, which invested USD 1.6 billion, faces high infrastructure and license costs. The Bank called for regulatory action and satellite competition to improve market access and connectivity.

Ethiopia will hold its seventh national election in the 2025–2026 fiscal year, President Tayé Atske Selassie announced in a joint parliamentary session. He emphasized a fair, peaceful, and democratic vote, urging citizen participation. Opposition parties raised concerns over recent electoral law amendments, including digital ID requirements and party suspensions, citing potential restrictions on candidates and partisanship by the National Electoral Board. The election is a key step in ongoing political reforms.

Ethiopian election officials began a week-long study visit to Nigeria to learn from its electoral system and governance structure. The delegation, led by the National Election Board of Ethiopia and the Coalition of Ethiopian CSOs for Elections, met with INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who called it an opportunity for mutual learning between Africa’s two most populous nations. Sessions will cover voter registration, election monitoring, civic education, and inclusion of displaced persons in electoral processes.

Aliko Dangote launched a $2.5 billion fertilizer complex in Ethiopia in partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings. The facility will produce three million tonnes of urea annually, aiming to make Ethiopia a regional fertilizer hub. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed praised the project for fostering industrial growth. Dangote said the complex will create jobs, enhance food security, and position Ethiopia as a leading agricultural nation in Africa within five years.

Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission received agenda proposals from diaspora communities for the upcoming national dialogue. Commissioner Mulugeta Ago said Ethiopians abroad and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin shared their ideas through meetings and online discussions in North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Consultations in Europe will follow. Addis Ababa Diaspora Association chair Zeleke Gessesse said new platforms allow diaspora members to contribute actively and share diverse perspectives.