10 Countries Facing the Biggest Brain Drain 

Brain drain, also known as human capital flight, is a serious issue in many parts of the world, as skilled professionals seek out work abroad rather than returning to work in their home country. Many are driven away by high unemployment, but issues like political oppression, lack of religious freedom and simply not being able to earn a big enough paycheck also play a significant role in exacerbating brain drain. The phenomenon is not only a serious economic issue (both in that the country loses workers and the money it put into training them in college), but one that often puts the health and safety of the nation’s citizens at risk, creating long-term and potentially disastrous results for countries with high brain drain rates spanning several decades.
Here we’ve compiled a list of some of the nations that have been hardest hit by brain drain in that past few years. While some are making progress in reversing the process, others are seeing numbers rise and citizens migrating in larger numbers every year. These nations, often those in the developing world, must make major economic and social changes if they hope to retain their best and most skilled workers over the long term.

1. Ethiopia: Ethiopia produces a large number of qualified professionals, especially in the medical field, but is experiencing one of the worst brain drains of any country in the world. Attracted by better prospects overseas and in other African nations and pushed out by political persecution, Ethiopia’s best and brightest haven’t been sticking around after graduation. A recent study presented at the National Symposium on Ethiopian Diasporas revealed some shocking numbers, with the country losing about 75% of its skilled professionals over the past ten years. This exodus of highly qualified professionals has had a huge impact on the country, leaving it with too few physicians, engineers and scientists to fill positions the country desperately needs to thrive economically.
   
2. Nigeria: Nigeria is another African nation that has suffered due to a massive brain drain. With much of Nigeria still essentially a developing nation with unreliable power and few resources, higher level science, engineering and medical professionals often find little to motivate them into staying, especially with job offers from the U.S. and European nations exerting a powerful pull. Since Nigeria’s brutal civil war in late 60s, the country has bounced between military governments and dictatorships, pushing out between 11 and 17 million people. Today, over 2 million Nigerians live in the U.S. alone, and of these about 20,000 are doctors and over 10,000 are academics. That’s a heavy loss for a nation that so desperately needs qualified professionals to rebuild and improve its own resources.
   
3. Kenya: High unemployment rates, lack of resources and other factors have made Kenya one of the top brain drain countries in Africa. With fewer than 30% of Kenyans who study overseas returning to work in Kenya, the nation is feeling the hurt of losing so many skilled professionals. The Kenyan Medical Association has warned that emigration of medical professionals may make it impossible to provide health care to the country’s residents – and the situation is already pretty dire. As of 2002, the public sector medical field had only 600 doctors and 70 dentists available to treat over 28 million citizens. With somewhere between 500,000 and 1.8 million Kenyans working and living overseas, the country is trying desperately to find a way to lure some of these citizens back home where their skills are much needed.
   
4. South Africa: Years of unrest, high crime rates, AIDS and lack of jobs have combined to make South Africa’s brain drain a serious problem. Over the past three years, the country has lost over 100,000 workers, with an additional 70% of skilled South Africans saying they are considering leaving the nation. Losing so many skilled workers has a ripple effect, with the loss of each skilled professional costing about 10 unskilled jobs. Currently, the country is working to not only keep residents from leaving once they’ve completed their training, but to also attract professionals from other nations to South African businesses. Though there is still a long way to go to make this a reality.
   
5. Iran: In 2006, the IMF ranked Iran the highest in brain drain among 90 countries (both developed and less developed), with over 180,000 people leaving each year due to a poor job market and oppressive social conditions. In fact, it is estimated that over 25% of Iranians with post-secondary degrees live and work abroad, adding up to a total of 4 million Iranians living overseas. While the outflux of Iranians was scoffed at in the early 80′s by government officials, today Iran is doing more to keep their skilled professionals at home, creating several national foundations aimed at improving the conditions for students in the sciences and increasing the number of graduate programs. Why pay attention now? Iran’s brain drain is estimated to cost the country over $50 billion each year in economic losses.
   
6. China: China has become a major player in global economics, but despite a rapidly growing job force, it is having trouble hanging on to qualified professionals. Many believe the reason lies in censorship and lack of freedoms (including the one child policy), but whatever the true cause, 70% of Chinese students who study overseas never return to their homeland. Since 1978, over 1 million Chinese students have headed to universities located abroad to get their degrees, yet fewer than 275,000 have returned. In fact, many foreign schools actually work to attract Chinese students, only exacerbating the problem for a nation in need of top scientists and researchers. The Chinese government has worked hard to reverse the trend, providing top-tier students in science and engineering with a large number of incentives, yet the numbers are only growing larger. By the end of this year, the nation could see well over 200,000 students leaving.
   
7. Mexico: Mexican immigration is a big issue in the U.S., with tens of thousands of illegal immigrants crossing U.S. borders each year. Yet a large portion of Mexican immigrants don’t fit this stereotype and are wealthy, well-educated and enter the country quite legally. Mexico is seeing a huge brain drain as more middle- and upper-class citizens move abroad, many who hold higher degrees and work in professional fields like medicine and law. The biggest cause for this is unemployment, with hundreds of thousands of skilled workers unable to find work, though security issues also play a big role. The higher the level of education, the less likely workers are to stay in Mexico, with about 70% of Mexicans with a PhD coming to work in America. The brain drain is worst in the sciences, where 79% of students who come to study in America never return home.
   
8. Jamaica: In a trend common for Caribbean nations, Jamaica faces one of the biggest brain drains in the region. Over 80% of Jamaica’s citizens who’ve obtained higher education live abroad. Most of this migration is due to lack of jobs, as there simply aren’t enough to go around for young graduates from university programs. What makes this loss so striking isn’t just the high percentage, but that Jamaican citizens who choose to work abroad must pay a remittance to the Jamaican government. Even with these additional fees, students aren’t enticed into staying to work in Jamaica. While much attention has been paid to the issue in recent years, little has changed and Jamaica. Along with Haiti, Suriname, Guyana and Grenada are losing between 70-90% of their college-educated force each year.
   
9. Malaysia: The brain drain in Malaysia has been steadily worsening, with the World Bank projecting it to intensify over the next few years. Currently, two out of every ten Malaysians with higher education seeks employment elsewhere, accounting for about 305,000 immigrants in 2009. There are a number of factors that contribute to this mass emigration, including job opportunities, political corruption and lack of religious freedom. Malaysia made big economic strides in the 90s, but growth has been halved in the past decade, slowing from 7.2% to just 4.6%. Experts believe this is largely due to brain drain, and caution that the nation could see serious economic issues if it doesn’t do something more to encourage professionals to work in their home country.
   
10. England: While it isn’t seeing staggering losses like many countries on this list, it is valuable to see how brain drain is a problem even in developed and relatively wealthy nations like Britain. Over the past few years, England has seen a large number of its skilled professionals leaving for work abroad, with over 1.1 million university graduates living and working outside of the country. This accounts for almost 1 in 10 skilled citizens choosing to emigrate. This mass emigration of skilled professionals may have serious ramifications for the British economy, as professionals add to the workforce of nations like Australia, Canada, America, France and Spain rather than at home. When compared to other developed nations, these numbers are especially high, with only Germany coming close in terms of losses (with 860,000 workers lost), making it clear that even top nations with good schools, public health and lots of resources can be subject to brain drain.
    
    source: www.onlineuniversities.com
    

Yonathan Getachew is the other Gedion Zelalem

All about HIF encounter Yonathan Getachew from U17 team

He was "super talent" on everyone's lips this summer when he left Husqvarna for HIF. 15-year-old Yonathan Getachew predicted a bright future and was sought after by many clubs but chose the finest of all - Helsingborgs IF. For Everything about HIF he tells about clubs showed interest, why they chose Helsingborgs IF and he dreams of becoming a professional as an adult.

Yonathan, for those who do not know you so well, you want to tell a little about who the person Yonathan Getachew is?

A fifteen year old boy who lives with his family consisting of mother, father and two siblings. Have always played football and it touches me quite a lot when I tried to combine studies and football in the best way. Is a humble and nice guy, a bit like a Smålander is.

When and where started your football trip?

I played a lot on the farm with my dad as a kid. But when I was eight years old, I started in a small club called Ekhagen. Then I went to Husqvarna big bet on its P97 team, then I was twelve years old. After a year, I was lifted into the academy and after another year there so I moved up into the first team. Six months later I went to the HIF.

When did you take the decision to invest wholeheartedly in football?

At the age of twelve or so, when I started playing for Husqvarna.

Were there any other sport that you also practiced?

Before the age of twelve, I tried badminton, karate and lot of different things. But it was just football that got me though.

What was it that made you choose to invest fully in football?

It's hard to say, I love football and it's my biggest passion. I fail to see how my life could be if I were not allowed to practice and play as much as I do.

You are midfielders, was in the midfield usually see you?

I am an interior offensive midfielder.

How would you describe your strengths as a player?

Technology, Game perception and clearance gap.

What do you have that you need to improve as a player?

Clinch game and physics.

Do you bet most on improving what you are good at or at least to further develop what is already your strength?

I have always been told that you should practice a lot on what you're good at, and even more than the words that are less good at. One must find a balance in between.

HIF considered to have one of the best nurseries in football in Sweden. What do you do to succeed so well?

They have an amazing theme throughout youth activities. Compared with Husqvarna, it was difficult to move between the different ages and the law of all played different. Here they have a common idea of ​​how all will develop and play.

How do you think the club has taken care of you during your short time here?

Very good, everyone has received a best possible way. The school, the town and the club has been very good to me and then it's easier to get into it faster too.

Where did you put the bar for your ambition? Is the Premier League or Football?

Man has always dreamed and hoped to become foreign professionals. But you have to set realistic goals now. And first of all, I manage to come up to the headlines here in HIF. Will you then play in the national team, it is just a bonus.

You have been training samples in Aston Villa, how were the differences between the Swedish and English perception of youth?

The players who were there only had football in his head, at school and everywhere. Then the clubs had a completely different economic condition of their youth activities. I do not think that means they would go better for playing there, there are few who manage to go the long way.

What other clubs were current when you chose to move to Helsingborg?

Many of the headlines. IFK Gothenburg, Kalmar, Elfsborg and then east in Superettan, plus I received an invitation from Ajax. But the way that HIF working on his thread and continuity made me choose HIF ahead of the other competitors. They play football here, and show that they want nothing to do with their youngsters.

You also play with the P97 team, how was the feeling when you became a part the first time?

It has always been in Distriktslag and then you get a sense that you at least have a chance. Then I was called to the squad and then it was just to show off, the margins between those coming in and those outside are very small, but you may be glad to get the chance.

How is the level of trainings at national collections? (Thinking that this squad does not only consist of 97: s, but also those who are older than you.)

We meet so seldom and all come from different parts of the country, so it's hard to have "regular trainings." We practice what we do on the game, so the level is seen as better at U17 trainings here. But the players in P97-squad is obviously good because they are the best in the country in his age.

Who or what people have meant the most to your football development?

My dad is the one who has always been there and is the first person I want feedback from. He has always gone to all practices and games.

The Husqvarna I had Andreas Sandqvist and Hamdiah Avdic at different times, and the two I had very good performance in, another that also meant a lot to the club's Simon Nuay.

Have you noticed anything in the future? Unless it would be something with the football it would say.

The fact that it is upper secondary school next year so it is contemplated what to choose but for me it only stands still. There are football related and if that's not enough, it's a thought I may take a while.

Are there any of the players in the first team that you draw inspiration from or who has helped you in your role as a football player?

Erik Edman has been down and visited. Because he is injured, he has helped a lot. Edman come from the same district as me. Otherwise, it's May Mahlangu as I watch most, we play the same position. Walid Atta is also a player that could be copied, he has a great character.

Do you follow any team more than Helsingborgs IF (A-team)?

Arsenal, all rooting for Barcelona because they play so well, but Arsenal do the same and play the same game but in the Premier League.

If you were to become professionals abroad one day the league and country do you think would fit your playing style best?

La Liga or the Premier League.

Finally, what is your advice to anyone younger youth players who read this?

Whatever happens, always remember that it is only your feet and you have to play, regardless of what people on the sidelines or coach says, agree with yourself and do the best. Then, never allowed to be happy!

Telecoms slow down development of Ethiopian tech scene 

The underperformance of the Ethiopian telecoms sector and the resultant low bandwidth available in the country is holding back the development of the local tech scene, according to Markos Lemma, co-founder of innovation hub iceaddis.

Lemma, who co-founded iceaddis in May 2011, told HumanIPO the tech space in Ethiopia had much potential.

“There is untapped potential and knowledge,” he said. “The ICT educational sector is growing.”

He said, however: “Even though there is a high potential in the tech space in Ethiopia, what is very visible right now is the challenges and the many problems which hold it back.”

He said the main challenge was the telecommunications sector, which he said slowed down the acceleration of Ethiopia’s tech scene and meant it did not see the economic growth evident in other sectors, which came about due to reforms in spheres such as agriculture and education.

“The bandwidth capacity of Ethio Telecom is 8.6gbit/s. To compare, Kenya has 8.6Tbit/s and plans to expand to 15Tbit/s,” he said. “So I believe the main challenge for techies in Ethiopia – and for any small businesses in the country – is the poor and unreachable service of Ethio Telecom. The penetration still remains below 2 per cent. About 2.5 million people are connected to the internet.

Lemma also pinpointed “restrictive regulations” as a challenge to the development of the sector.

“Customs is one big problem for startups as it is almost impossible to import innovative and new technologies,” he said. “The banking system is old fashioned, and unproductive, the most advanced banking services banks provide is an ATM. There is no mobile money whatsoever.”

Yet, Lemma believes, if these difficulties can be overcome, Ethiopia has the potential, as the second most populous country in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies globally, to compete on a global scale through ICT.
“There is a huge market,” he said. “So techies can develop solutions for the local market and still make good revenues. This will help them to gain momentum in the country and aim big into the global market. The local market enables the developers to quickly bring products to the market and make profit.”

He said the country is already planning on joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2015, which he said would expose local solutions to the international market.

“Competing on a global scale is generally hard for East African companies – as the playing field isn’t level,” he said. “But the current solutions from iHub, such as Ushahidi, show that East African companies can indeed compete in the international market.”

He said there has been some process in assisting the Ethiopian tech sector in recent years.

“The infrastructure is improved. New road lines and railways are under construction. This will help the tech scene to grow as these infrastructure developments increase quality of lives. In the last 10 years the number of public universities increased from one digit number to over 30. Most colleges now teach computer science, information technology and related fields. Many skilled techies are coming out of college and ready to join the market.”

Lemma said the formation of iceaddis was based on the lack of a place for young Ethiopians to take their innovative ideas to and connect with each other.

“The questions were very broad and the only thing we discovered was that there was no physical space in Addis Ababa for the energetic and high potential Ethiopian techies,” he said. “So the idea of iceaddis started there, answering the questions of the tech community – to bring high potentials together at a nexus point and help them to accelerate their startup and innovation to bring to the market.”

The hub has a collaborative open space, dedicated co-working spaces and prototyping laboratories, while it also supports green tech solutions. It provides entrepreneurship programmes and training, and, since it is located at a university, mainly targets university students seeking to open up new ventures instead of looking for jobs, which Lemma says are “scarce”.

“We managed to attract and connect the tech communities in the country,” he said. “We regard this as a big success as this wasn’t the case before iceaddis was established.

“We’re putting the Ethiopian tech scene on the map. There is almost no talk about the Ethiopian tech scene, but iceaddis is dedicated to changing this view, as we have bright and potential techies in the country.”

Ethiopian president educated in Beijing 

Mulatu Teshome's election as Ethiopia's new president on October 7 has created a sensation at two prestigious Beijing-based universities which were the cradle of the outstanding statesman.

In 1976, Teshome came to China for the first time. As a government-funded student, he studied at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) for one year and then moved on to Peking University, where he successively obtained his BA, MA, and PhD degrees.

"He [Teshome) was more mature and diligent than his peers when studying at BLCU. He also showed great respect for all teachers." Zhao Yupin, an associate professor from BLCU, recalled.

Zhao taught Teshome essential Chinese language courses when the young man was there to learn Chinese in 1976. BLCU is a university specialized in teaching the Chinese language and culture to foreign students.

Zhao, who was deeply impressed by Teshome, added, "He was active and brave in expressing himself in class. He used to finish his homework on time and would ask me questions on whatever he didn't understand."

Teshome made rapid progress in learning Mandarin Chinese and soon got acquainted with his new environment. The cheerful student made a lot of Chinese friends. In his spare time, he would often stroll around the streets, have a beer and a chat with his Chinese classmates.

The student, who got familiar with Beijing's hutongs during this time, developed a strong interest in Chinese history and culture.

In 1977, Teshome went on to study at Peking University, where he stayed for 14 years -- until 1991. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Philosophy of Political Economy in 1982. From 1985 to 1991, he received his master's and doctor's degrees in International Law under the supervision of Zhao Baoxu, a well-established Chinese political scientist.

Zimbabwe arrests 38 Ethiopian illegal immigrants 

Zimbabwe has arrested 38 Ethiopians who were trying to cross into South Africa through an illegal crossing point.

According to police the group that had hired a bus from the eastern city of Mutare – at the border with Mozambique – were intercepted in Beitbridge as they prepared to cross into South Africa.

The suspects aged between 20 and 30 had also reportedly used an illegal entry point to enter Zimbabwe from Mozambique.

Beitbridge police commander Chief Superitendent Lawrence Chinhengo said police investigations were on-going and the group had been charged for illegal entry.

“We have had a number of such cases where these illegal immigrants come into the country through Mutare,” he told state media on Tuesday.

“We are not leaving any stone unturned, we want to get to the bottom of this syndicate.”

He said the crew of the bus that was carrying the suspects, which is owned by an influential member of President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF had also been detained.

TIP-OFF

“We received a tip-off that there were 38 Ethiopians who were being transported aboard a Senator Express bus from Mutare. We then teamed up with the Department of Immigration,” Chief Superintendent Chinhengo said.

“We will not tolerate such lawlessness where people go to the extent of hiring buses to facilitate illegal immigration.” Zimbabwe is used by traffickers as a key route because of its porous Beitbridge border with South Africa.

Syndicates help thousands of people every month to sneak into Africa’s biggest economy. South Africa is home to over three million Zimbabweans, most of them illegal immigrants.

Thousands are sent back home every year but they quickly find their way back to South Africa using the illegal entry points.

Refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo also use Beitbridge, the largest inland port in Southern Africa, to sneak into South Africa.

Ethiopian Signs up With Rezgateway 

Rezgateway, a leading Technology provider to the Travel Industry, has been selected by one of Africa's pre-eminent Airlines - Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) to provide a fully integrated end-to-end holiday reservation system.
The system, RezG-Package, will dramatically enhance Ethiopian's already world famous "Ethiopian Hospitality" customer service.
RezG-Package includes shopping cart, dynamic and fixed packaging capabilities, B2B and B2C reservation, mid office system, integration to a payment processing service, affiliate module, call center module and much more.
The result of this project will be to provide Ethiopian's worldwide customers faster, easier and real-time access to all travel inventory Ethiopian offers.
According to Ashok Senadeera, COO of Rezgateway, Ethiopian now has the system that will allow any travel inventory provider in Africa to distribute its content worldwide at a click of a button.
What this means is that any Ethiopian partner, be it Tour Operator and/or Travel Agency and/or Hotel Operator, can upload its offering in Ethiopian's system to distribute via XML/web services/extranet worldwide.
As Africa continues with its fast economic growth, Ethiopian continues to play a vital role in supporting and spearheading this impressive growth of its home continent.

Ethiopian to Start Flights to Singapore in December 

Ethiopian Airlines has announced it will be starting flights to Singapore on December 3 with three scheduled flights a week. The flights will be operated with Ethiopian Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
Singapore is a major global aviation hub and gateway to Asia and Australia. Ethiopian Airlines' flights will serve the growing traffic between Africa and Singapore, and will provide excellent connectivity to passengers on to points in Australia/Asia and Africa.
Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian said: "Our flights to Singapore will greatly contribute to the strengthening of trade, investment and tourism ties between a booming Africa and a highly developed, innovative and business-friendly Singapore."
Ethiopian Airlines will be the first East African carrier to start services to Singapore, which will become the airline's 78th international destination.
This year Ethiopian has received further awards: the Passenger Choice Award as "Best Airline in Africa" and the SKTRAX Award for "Best Staff Service in Africa".

Ethiopia Signed U.S. $4 Billion Agreement to Develop a 1,000MW, Geothermal Farm 

The government of Ethiopia concluded a contractual agreement with Reykjavik Geothermal, an Icelandic energy company, to develop a geothermal farm with a production capacity of 1,000MW. The USD four billion agreement will generate electric energy for both domestic consumption and neighboring export markets.
CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO) said that geothermal energy is valued because it is one of the most renewable energy sources and said "trade with neighboring countries will increase significantly" highlighting the importance of the project.
The geothermal farm, which is the first of its kind in Ethiopia and the largest in Africa, will be completed in two phases each having the generating capacity of 500MW. The first phase is expected to be completed and get operational by 2018, and the second phase by 2021.
CEO of Reykjavik Geothermal said on the occasion said that the geothermal farm is a landmark energy project that will bring Ethiopia "to the forefront of geothermal development". The project is part of the Power Africa Initiative which focuses on the rapid development of the Rift Valley's geothermal potential.
The Initiative, revealed recently by the US President, aims to expand sub-Saharan Africa's energy coverage by more than 10,000MW of cleaner energy. The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation has agreed to buy the electric energy generated by the project for the at least a quarter of a century after the completion of the project.

Ethiopia and Kenya secure funds for $1.26 bln power line

Ethiopia and Kenya have secured funds for a $1.26 billion power line aimed at improving electricity supply and the project is set for completion in two years' time, an Ethiopian official said on Wednesday.

Addis Ababa is poised to generate more revenue from power exports to its neighbour, beyond the border northern Kenyan town of Moyale which is already receiving a small amount.

Though it has been investing in infrastructure, including expanding power supplies, Kenya has struggled to meet demand and faces constant blackouts.

"Everything is as per schedule. We expect it will be completed on time ... after two years," Alemayehu Tegenu, Ethiopia's minister of water and energy, told Reuters.
The project - a 1,068 km high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 2,000 MW - is co-funded by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency and the Ethiopian and Kenyan governments.

The electricity will originate from a number of existing and planned power plants in Ethiopia.

Analysts estimate that the hydropower potential of Ethiopia - blessed with cascading rivers flowing through rugged mountains - is around 45,000 MW.

In a bid to become a major power exporter, Ethiopia is also building a 6,000 MW mega dam on the Nile, which is set for completion in four years' time.

Addis Ababa already exports up to 65 MW to Djibouti and about 100 MW to Sudan.

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal

Ethiopia signed a $4 billion deal Wednesday with American-Icelandic company Reykjavik Geothermal to develop a 1000-megawatt geothermal farm, officials said.

When completed, the project to provide energy for both local consumption and export will be the largest source of foreign direct investment in Ethiopia.

"This is an epic moment for all of us... bringing Ethiopia to the forefront of geothermal development," said Reykjavik chief executive officer Gudmundur Thoroddsson.

Three-quarters of the project is funded by Reykjavik Geothermal, backed by private investors, while 25 percent will be borrowed.

Thoroddsson said $40 million (29 million euro) of investment has already been secured.

The geothermal farm -- located 200 kilometres (124 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa -- will be built in two phases, with the first 500 MW phase to be completed in 2018. The second phase is expected to be finished in 2021.

Thoroddsson said geothermal is an ideal source of energy in Ethiopia, which is vulnerable to erratic weather and oil price fluctuations.

"It's an energy source that is very reliable, always there and is not dependent on weather so it fits very well into the mix," he told reporters.

The energy produced from the project will be used for both local consumption and for export to neighbouring countries, the head of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Miret Debebe, said.

"Geothermal (is) one of the most attractive renewable energy resources," Miret said, adding that "trade with neighbouring countries will increase significantly".

The project is the first geothermal farm in the Ethiopia, which has a total potential of 3,000 MW of geothermal energy, making it one of the largest geothermal sites in the world.

Iceland-based Reykjavik Geothermal was established in 2008 to develop geothermal resources in "underserved" markets, the company said.

Ethiopia has made heavy investments in green energy projects, including wind, solar and hydropower.

A series of hydropower dams are currently under construction throughout the country, including the 6,000 MW Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile River, which will be Africa's largest dam when completed in 2017.

Ethiopia has the capacity to produce 45,000 MW of power, more than the total amount currently consumed in all of sub-Saharan Africa, according to official figures.

The government says it wants to transform Ethiopia into a carbon-neutral, middle income country by 2025.

Foreign investments in Ethiopia have mushroomed in recent years, with Chinese, Turkish and Indian companies investing in a range of industries, including manufacturing, agriculture and construction.

Rap? Meh. Poetry is the rage at the Ethiopian Beat Making Lab 

Credit: IntraHealth International

Adamasu was the drummer for the Beat Making Lab's poem.

The spoken word scene in Ethiopia surprised me.

I was invited to a performance at a theatre in Addis Ababa and was blown away by the crowd. In an open-air theater that could easily seat 800 people, the venue was at capacity — standing room only. People were spilling into the aisles as the poets took stage.
The spoken word artists performed with a talented live band. From what I was told, they were some of the best live musicians in the country. But the people weren't sandwiched into the theatre to hear the music. Everyone's eyes and ears were glued to the poets.
I don't speak Amharic, Ethiopia's official language, but I could feel the power of their words. One poet, an elderly man, had the crowd wrapped around his dark, wrinkled fingers. He lured us to a slow pace with soft prose, then switched gears and had the crowd erupting with laughter. Even though I didn't get the joke, I found myself chuckling hysterically. The room was very diverse — with a variety of generations, genders, ethnicities and styles both on stage and in the crowd.
On the day after the performance, during class, I asked if there were any poets among our group of aspiring beat makers. More than half of the hands in the classroom shot up. I gave them a writing assignment — to use poetry to reflect on their experiences with health issues in their community. This was part of the larger agenda of Intrahealth, our Beat Making Lab sponsors.
Our goal in Addis was to use music to engage youth in discussions about their health. I didn't anticipate spoken word being the artistic medium of choice. In many other countries, young people seem to gravitate towards rapping, singing, playing an instrument or making a beat. Addis was the first place where spoken word emerged as a frontrunner in terms of student experience and interest.
One of our students, Marta, wrote a heart-wrenching piece about losing a child. Apple Juice Kid and our program coordinator/amazing vocalist, Munit Mesfin, co-produced a beat to Marta's poem, which is the center of this week's video.
Editor's Note: Over the next few weeks, we'll be checking in with the team at Beat Making Lab to find out how the project in Ethiopia is progressing. In mid-November, Levitin and Freelon will head back to Ethiopia to make a presentation about the project at the International Conference on Family Planning. It's the first time the pair has ever returned to a city where they set up a lab — and we'll be able to join them. Check back each of the next few Wednesdays for updates on the Beat Making Lab.

Ethiopian Spreads Its Wings to Singapore 

Ethiopian Airlines, the fastest growing airline in Africa, is pleased to announce that it will extend its wings to Singapore as of 3 December 2013 with scheduled three weekly flights.
The new flights to Singapore will be operated with Ethiopian Boeing 767-300 aircraft with 24 seats in Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business Class and 211 seats in Economy class.
Singapore is one of the major global aviation hubs and a preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. Ethiopian flights will serve the growing traffic between Africa and Singapore, and is perfectly timed to give the best possible connectivity options to passengers travelling between most points in Australia/Asia and Africa in partnership with fellow Star member, Singapore Airlines, subject to regulatory approvals.
With the start of Ethiopian flights, passengers will be able to enjoy smooth and seamless connection between destinations in Australia such as Sydney and Melbourne, and all the major cities in Africa such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Luanda and Johannesburg with minimum layovers.
Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian said: "Singapore is a major and preferred gateway to Asia and Australia. That is why we have decided to make Singapore our main strategic point of access to the Oceania market and its huge Ethiopian/African Diaspora community by availing excellent connectivity options through our code-share agreement with fellow Star Alliance member, Singapore Airlines. Our flights to Singapore will also greatly contribute to the strengthening of trade, investment and tourism ties between a booming Africa and a highly developed, innovative and business-friendly Singapore."
Ethiopian will be the first East African carrier to start services to Singapore, which will become the airline's 78th international destination.
Ethiopian is a multi-award winning carrier having received in 2013 the Passenger Choice Award as "Best Airline in Africa" and the SKTRAX Award for "Best Staff Service in Africa".

UK hand in glove with Ethiopia's booming leather sector

Pittards plans to substantially increase the size of its Ethiopian workforce

Amid the rhythmic clicking of rows and rows of sewing machines, hundreds of workers are busy creating a range of leather gloves, bags and jackets.

"I can tell when employees' skills have improved by the noises of the machines speeding up," says Tsedenia Mekbib, a general manager.
We are at a busy factory on the outskirts of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
It is one of three such facilities in the city owned by UK leather goods company Pittards, which has a long history of operating in the country.

“Start Quote

Ethiopia has come a very long way over the last 23 years since I first visited, and the last decade in particular has witnessed massive positive changes”

Reg Hankey Pittards chief executive

While an increasing number of Western firms of all sizes are now looking at doing business in Africa, Pittards has had a 90-year head start.

The company, which is based in Yeovil, Somerset, in the south-west of England, has been trading in Ethiopia since the 1920s. And it is all down to a celebrated type of sheep - the Ethiopian hair sheep.
This breed, which does not grow a thick coat of wool, also has much thinner skin than its European brethren, making it ideal for delicate leather apparel such as ladies' gloves.
New factory Pittards now has ambitious plans to grow its Ethiopian operations, which help contribute towards the firm's £39m ($60m) annual revenues.
At present its Addis Ababa-based factories and tannery to the south of the city employ about 1,200 locals, a number expected to grow to about 5,000 within five years. A fourth factory has already been built, and is waiting to be occupied.
On the current production floors, an element of handwork is also included in the manufacturing process, which each month produces 100,000 work gloves and 5,000 dress gloves.

The Ethiopian hair sheep is much in demand in the leather industry

Pittards' Ethiopian factories also produce two million sq feet (186,000 sq m) of quality leather for export to be made into garments ranging from specialist golf gloves to couture handbags.
"Ethiopia will grow in importance to Pittards and the global leather industry [in general]," says the company's chief executive Reg Hankey.
Ethiopia's attractions for Pittards, and other Western firms, include the country's large pool of relatively low-cost labour. It also has duty-free status for most manufactured products for export to Europe, the US and other countries.
Animal husbandry Despite Ethiopia having the largest flock of hair sheep in the world - more than 26 million - it is not the largest supplier of skins.

“Start Quote

Ethiopia has worked very hard to establish itself as a preferred country for economic development within Africa”

Reg Hankey Pittards chief executive

Its flock's reproductive rate of about 37% trails New Zealand's 180% and means Ethiopia has only some 9.5 million sheepskins available annually compared with New Zealand's total of about 30 million.

Better animal husbandry should increase Ethiopia's supply. Pittards is already involved in environmental programmes to improve the quality of local skins through improved husbandry and treatment against parasites.
Another benefit could be improved meat yields, a not insignificant detail while Ethiopia remains a developing country.
Regarding the wider issues of doing business in Ethiopia, Mr Hankey says the country faces the same challenges as other developing nations, encompassing difficulties related to bureaucracy, customs and banking. Yet, he adds, while more has to be done, the situation is greatly improved.
"Ethiopia has come a very long way over the last 23 years since I first visited, and the last decade in particular has witnessed massive positive changes," Mr Hankey says.
"Ethiopia has worked very hard to establish itself as a preferred country for economic development within Africa."

Pittards' Ethiopian operations are now a core part of its business

Ethiopia's government now wants to grow its leather industry's annual exports to $500m by the completion of its five-year growth and transformation plan at the end of 2015. Leather exports stood at $123m last year.
Within Pittards, the British management is happy to be playing a part in Ethiopia reaching its ambitious goal.
"We have put down roots," Mr Hankey says. "This changes relationships and thinking - we see things from the inside and the outside, giving us a unique position for further development."
'Changing lifestyles' Busy at work in the Pittards factory is 20-year-old Embret Beshada.
Her job is to sew two glove-shaped panels together while incorporating material to create a thumb casing.

 

Embet Beshada likes the financial indepedence having a job gives her

She says she found the work easy when she started just over a year ago, despite having to learn many new skills, and was producing gloves within two months.
"Being able to support myself excites me the most," she says.
Sitting at sewing machines nearby are some of her friends. About 80% of the factory workforce is female, while at the tannery about 80% of the workforce is male.
"We are seeing people get more jobs, and people's lifestyles changing, which gives us hope for the future," Ms Beshada adds.

 BBC

Ten Ethiopians Held in Mazeras Trap 

POLICE in Kaloleni last Friday arrested 10 Ethiopians at Mazeras on the Mombasa- Nairobi highway. The truck said to have been carrying the Ethiopians was intercepted by the Kaloleni police boss David Kerina at the Mazeras stage.
Kilifi county commander James Kithuka said the group was travelling in a covered lorry towards Mombasa. Kithuka said they were tipped off by the public about the truck and immediately mounted a roadblock at Changamwe but the truck took an about-turn towards Mariakani.
"When they reached Mazeras, the truck was stopped and we discovered that there were 10 foreigners. We arrested them together with the driver who is of Somali origin," he said. Kithuka said they will be arraigned in court to answer to charges of being in the country without travel documents.
It was not immediately established where the aliens were travelling to but it is believed they were en route to South Africa. Kerina said patrols on the highway have been tightened. He said they believe the highway is one of the roads aliens use to get into Mombasa and then to other countries.