Shega Weekly

We have looked to the major stories last week ( Jan 20 – 26 ) and picked up the followings. Enjoy.

Egyptian Startup That is Expanding To Ethiopia Raised ~$15 in Ongoing Round

Egypt based but US registered transportation startup Halan has reportedly raised ~$15 million in what’s is mentioned as ongoing round according to Menabytes.

It is remembered that back in September 2019 Reuters reported that Halan is expanding to Ethiopia to provide it’s ride hailing service for three wheeled vehicles ( tuk tuk ). Halan operates in Egypt and Sudan as of the moment.

Halan tested it’s service in Adama and plans to launch all over Ethiopia. Even though HalanATA already have a team in the ground, it is yet to register officially in Ethiopia. A close source mentioned that the registration process is underway.

ATA Lunches AgriHub

Agricultural Transformation Agency launches a project aimed to promote the development of the private sector in agriculture by helping to scale and improving operational capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

“AgriHub is based on the success, and lessons learned, of the Ethiopian Agribusiness Accelerator Platform (EAAP), a demand-driven, value chain focused business incubator and accelerator that helps high-potential agribusinesses to professionalize and scale.” Learn more here.

Paga Acquires Apposit And Plans To Launch It’s Payment Service In Ethiopia

Paga, a Nigerian digital payment startup, announces it’s acquisition of Ethiopian based Apposit. Apposit is software development company is founded by diaspora returnees and had a close relationship with Paga for last 10 years. Paga also officials announces it’s expansion to Ethiopia and is looking for Baking lincense. Read more here including a comment on potential regulatory challenges.

Ethiopia Innovators Association

Ethiopia Innovators Association is formed by over 200 innovators. According to Capital , Ethiopian Innovators Association (EIA) aims to increase the development of technological learning and innovation and strengthen  the role of local inventions.

EIA plans to build innovation parks and centers in the coming three years as well us a develop its own platform to start registering innovators and their inventions that are found all over the country.

Ethiopia to Launche AI Center