Content: Opinion

I officially despise an unaccountable state. I see it as an omnipresent dad who tries to have the full control of the life of his lone son. I feel that this type of father has a flat learning curve, and hence lacks the initiative to learn from his mistakes. Since this dad sees himself as […]

There is a meaningful reward in enduring short-term pain for long-term gain, at least I think so. The process that takes us through the ups and downs of nature enables us to shape our personality, in more ways that we might have done without it. If we did not struggle it would disrupt the natural […]

It is only recently that I started to realise the negative implications of working in a toddling economy. It all feels rather like an old machine with an outdated operating system. Navigating through it is a very tough task. Most of the energy is lost in ‘booting it’. Flexibility is a pipe dream. Everything gets […]

Ethiopians are accustomed to secluded governments. The gap between the hearts and minds of governments and those of the people has, for too long, been wide. Hence, social contracts remain fragile. It has been as such, despite the fact that the ideological leanings of governments has been varied. It certainly is startling that a monarchy, […]

Youthfulness has many good and bad faces. Its good faces range from the energy to start new initiatives to the amazing flexibility to learn from mistakes. A sharp rise in the learning curve of individuals is often associated with their young age. Yet, the risks involved during this phase of life are also high. A […]

The surest bet on the future of energy is the need for low-carbon energy supplies. Around 80pc of the world’s primary energy today is carbon based: coal, oil, and gas. We will need to shift to no- or low-carbon energy by mid-century. The big questions are how and when. Low-carbon primary energy means three options: […]

If there is one segment of our society that continues to experience exceptional dynamism, it is, most certainly, the elite. Of course, its dynamics are, however, not readily visible. Rather, it demands a pre-existing understanding of its workings. Conflicts are also typical of this segment of our society. Often, they relate to resources, power or […]

Our fair nation hosts more inter-generational issues than one would desire to see. Many aspects of life are dissected by society, until they eventually appear as issues related only to a specific generation. Politics sits at the top of the pyramid. What was once a line dividing colonial powers and their inferiors, has now turned […]

It is only recently that I have realised that I may be too feminist in my inclination towards the cause of gender equality, albeit for my own sake. At times, I even feel that I was a disappointed convert to the cause, with the reason behind my disappointment being the ever-increasing incompetence of my fellow […]

My visits to the crowded capital cities of Asian countries, such asChinaandIndia, have helped me witness the negative impacts of urbanisation and economic growth with my own eyes. From smog to discomforting homogeneities, these megacities have a multitude of problems to contend with each and every day. It seems that urbanisation’s negative externalities are not […]

Our fair city is hosting yet another round of elections. It will be for the purpose of selecting the party that will be responsible for overseeing its future. But, one should not make any further assumptions about the upcoming vote, for it falls short of presenting an opportunity to choose from a menu of alternatives. […]

Our fair nation has been talking about its military might for most of the past week, where Addis Abeba hosted a military exhibition. The technological advancements of the national defence forces were on display, exuding the feeling that we are all living in a socialist country. For a young man who witnessed only a glimpse […]

Development debate of the time involves more buzz words than actual operational approaches. Its dictionary changes faster than its results. Confusing words and phrases, such as; ‘sustainability’, ‘participation’, ‘empowerment’, ‘integrated development’ and ‘poverty reduction’, are all just parts of the ever-expanding vocabulary. Amazingly, this dictionary of terms has created a sphere where the all too […]

The question “Who is more Ethiopian?” which appeared in a viewpoint article published on January 27, 2013, poses an obsolete question, which most Ethiopians have moved beyond. Such a question, in fact, is not only obsolete, but also offensive to Ethiopians who, ipso facto (by the fact itself), are equal in every sense of the […]

It will take a lot before the ruling elite of our fair nation come back to their senses. A series of professional lies ought to be made. A great deal of unrealistic intent ought to be declared. At last, the long awaited budgetary secret of the nation has been disclosed, by none other than the […]

It was for the purpose of solving a casual family problem that I chose to stay at home last Sunday. Yet, the day marked a point of no return in my perception on domestic abuse. An awkward knock at our door, at around 7.30pm, attracted the attention of our family, which was gathered to discuss […]

Incongruence between reality and illusion are common in Ethiopia. It is often true that actions lag behind decisions and Ethiopians give many excuses for their failure. But, it is only in the latest Christmas Exhibition that I witnessed that this popular trait has slowly diffused in to the basic institutions of our economic system. It […]

My readings about the Developmental State are becoming more confused with each day that passes. I could not rightly trace the metamorphosis of such a state, for its reach has no limit. Its predefined hegemony furthers the confusion, by weeding out political alternatives and fertilising the growth of the state. As if to make it […]

A social structure that inculcates mediocrity always settles for the little achievements of individuals, regardless of their social status. My close friend, a language teacher by profession, dubs this, ‘the culture of living for clapping’. We, Ethiopians, seem to be swamped by such cultural strands. Anyone who watches the lone national television would say the […]

My memories of university life contain lots of adventures. They encompass both good and bad experiences. I would say, however, that it was the most apolitical phase of my life. I was somewhat dormant, in terms of analysing economic, social and political issues. There is one front, however, that I remember with an abundance of […]

A recent discussion with a friend of mine, who is a business management coach by profession, has taken me by surprise. It is not that the discussion was unique in subject but it brought a rather new perspective to a popular issue.

If there exists one particular industry that remains to be the focus of both investors and regulators over the past decade, it is banking. It has been the case since the trade of financial intermediation brings high return on capital, often unthinkable in other industries.

Interdependence seems to have become the typical characteristic of the new global economic order. In a way, aspiring to be independent has become futile. Economies rely on each other to produce and consume. Both bliss and pain are shared.

I would always remember the meeting that I once had with a renowned car dealer in our fair city. Not that the guy was popular but his statement was as definitive as a summary of policy document. If there is one thing that defines the nature of the Ethiopian business sphere in the coming years, the dealer told me, it would availability of information and the access that people would have to it.

Africa has made very good progress in building institutions and in promoting democratic practices on the political front.