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The National Bank of Ethiopia has issued a new directive that clears the path for e-payment options, effective 1st April 2020. The Bank said the directive is “important” to promote the safety and efficiency of the payment system.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia will begin filling the reservoir of its dam on the Blue Nile, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in the upcoming rainy season. PM Abiy made the remark on the event of the 9-year anniversary of the launching of the GERD project.

Kingdom Linen PLC, has completed the first phase of its investment project at Adama Industrial Park, Ethiopia. The company is building the largest linen factory in Africa, Abebe Abebayehu, Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), tweeted.

After setting up a National Resource Mobilization Committee yesterday to oversee the pooling of financial and non-financial resources for the coronavirus pandemic preparedness, the Ethiopian government has today launched a fundraising effort.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, writing on Financial Times (FT), pointed out “there is a major flaw” in how the world is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, while the wealthy rush to stimulate their economies without similar meaningful interventions in Africa. If the virus is not defeated in Africa, PM Abiy argues, “It will only bounce back to the rest of the world.” He also called on the G20 to launch a global fund to prevent health systems in Africa from collapsing.

Sansheng Pharmaceutical, a company in Eastern Industrial Park in Ethiopia, has launched a new production line to manufacture hand sanitizer, Abebe Abebayehu, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission announced in a tweet.

Ethiopia has launched a national resource mobilization committee tasked with coordinating efforts of gathering financial and non-financial materials for COVID-19 emergency preparedness, the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia announced in a tweet.

In the tweet, the Office of the Prime Minister noted: "such periods require the effort and contribution of each individual," highlighting the need for collective and concerted efforts to help one another in times of great need as the way to overcome. 

Members of the national committee have donated their one-month salary to the national COVID-19 resource pool, it was learned.

As per the Prime Minister's directive, 184 of the Office of the Prime Minister Office's 289 staff will work from home for the coming two weeks.

Source (Including Image): Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (Twitter)

Ethiopia has started distributing to the rest of Africa medical supplies obtained from the Jack Ma Foundation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ethiopia has closed its borders and allocated $153.4 million (5 billion birr) as it braces to tackle the spread of COVID-19. As of today, Ethiopia has announced 12 confirmed cases of the coronavirus pandemic.