WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that he was ready to restart U.S. mediation efforts between Egypt and Ethiopia with an eye toward resolving long-standing issues of water sharing from the ⁠Nile River. Washington-led mediations began during Trump's first term, but they effectively collapsed in 2020, when Ethiopia withdrew — though some discussions later continued under the African Union. ‌mediation between ⁠Egypt ‍and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the ⁠question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once ‌and for all.”“My team and I understand the significance of the Nile River to Egypt and its people,” Trump wrote. Egypt and Ethiopia are already on his list of wars he resolved, with Trump maintaining he stopped a conflict that might have led to fighting over issues that included the dam known as GERD. The implication was a flare-up in the conflict made it an extra 1/4 of a war — something to watch for as he pushes mediation efforts again in Ethiopia and Egypt.

The US ⁠is ​ready to ​restart mediation between ‌Egypt and Ethiopia ​to help resolve the issue of Nile River ‌water sharing, President ‍Donald ‍Trump said in ⁠a letter to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Friday. Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are in an ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), which Cairo and Khartoum claim will disrupt access to the Nile's vital waters. Egypt and Sudan have been in talks with Ethiopia for almost a decade to reach an agreement on the filling and operation of the Gerd. But Egypt and Sudan see the dam as a threat to water access in a region that already faces scarcity. Mr Trump said that a lasting agreement was possible with the right technical expertise, “fair and transparent” negotiations, and US monitoring and co-ordination.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has offered to restart American mediation between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan to resolve the long-standing dispute over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), according to a letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The proposed U.S. approach seeks to guarantee “predictable water releases during droughts and prolonged dry years” for downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. Simultaneously, the framework would allow Ethiopia to generate “very substantial amounts of electricity,” some of which Trump suggested could be given or sold to its neighbors. “I believe that with the right technical expertise, fair and transparent negotiations, and a strong United States role in monitoring and coordinating between parties, we can achieve a lasting agreement for all Nile Basin Nations,” Trump wrote. The letter also commended President Al-Sisi for his “leadership in successfully mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas” and for managing security and humanitarian challenges since 7 October 2023.

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the fourth review of the 48-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Ethiopia. Revenue mobilization has been strong, and recent tax policy reforms bode well for broadening the tax base and raising revenue potential. Recently-approved increases in reserve requirements maintain tight liquidity conditions, while a phased exit from the cap on private credit growth would help make further progress toward an interest-rate based monetary policy framework while avoiding an overly rapid expansion of credit. Interbank market and repo market development will support monetary policy transmission. Tax and customs administration reforms will be key to broadening the tax base to maximize tax policy reform gains and foster a more stable taxation environment.

News IndustryEthiopia aims to commission first nuclear plant within ten yearsNuclear seen as reducing reliance on climate-vulnerable hydropowerProgramme supported by Rosatom cooperation and IAEA assistanceEthiopia plans to commission its first nuclear power plant in less than ten years, local media reported on Wednesday. The reports cited the Ethiopian Nuclear Energy Commission (ENEC), established in October 2025 to lead the development of civil nuclear energy in the country, including regulatory, institutional and safety frameworks. NucNet reported that authorities acknowledged that a nuclear programme typically takes between 10 and 15 years to complete. The project is based on cooperation agreements on the peaceful use of nuclear energy signed in 2017 between Ethiopia and Russia’s Rosatom. In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it would continue to support Ethiopia throughout its nuclear programme.

Addis Ababa — Riverside development in Ethiopia is guided by a comprehensive vision that goes beyond simply treating or restoring river streams," Office of the Prime Minister said. According to the social media post by the office, the approach focuses on integrated infrastructure development along riverbanks, with buffer zones that may extend beyond or fall within 50 meters on each side depending on the area and local conditions. By organizing land use within these corridors, the initiative aims to reduce pollution and flood risks, restore ecosystems, and create public spaces, mobility networks, and economic opportunities. This flexible and holistic strategy is transforming riverbanks into well-managed, productive, and livable environments that support sustainable urban growth and community well-being.

Addis Ababa, January 16, 2026 (ENA)-- Ethiopia and Morocco have convened their first-ever joint defense committee meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across various military fields on Thursday. The discussion includes advancing military cooperation between the two countries in ways that ensure mutual benefit for their respective defense institutions. Cooperation in education and training, defense industry collaboration, technology transfer, and other areas of military engagement were also discussed. Major General Teshome Gemechu, Director General of External Relations and Military Cooperation at the ENDF, said relations between Ethiopia and Morocco are steadily strengthening across multiple sectors. He said Morocco is determined to further elevate defense cooperation with Ethiopia, adding that progress achieved so far has been encouraging.

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest and a fast-growing carrier, has begun construction of what is set to become the continent’s largest airport, a transformative infrastructure project designed to position Ethiopia as a major aviation hub. The new Bishoftu International Airport (BIA) is being built about 40 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, near the city of Bishoftu. Phase One of Bishoftu International Airport is scheduled to handle 60 million passengers annually. Targeted to open its first phase in 2030, Bishoftu International Airport will be developed in stages. A high-speed rail link will connect the airport to central Addis Ababa and Bole Airport, anchoring a new regional transport network and supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term “Vision 2035” growth strategy.

Thanks to the Fayda digital ID, access to services for refugees hosted by Ethiopia has become much easier, a development which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has hailed. Ethiopia started issuing digital ID to refugees in 2024 in collaboration with the UNHCR, the objective being to enable them seamlessly access public and private sector services that make their lives less miserable. However, there have been concerns about the slow pace of registering refugee children for legal identity. Digital identity is the starting point for sustainable solutions. Article TopicsAfrica | biometrics | digital ID | Ethiopia | Fayda | government services | humanitarian | identity management | legal identity | refugee registration | SDG 16.9 | UNHCR

Addis Ababa — President Taye Atske Selassie received the credentials of 14 newly appointed ambassadors today. According to Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Nebiat Getachew the ambassadors discussed with the President Ethiopia's macroeconomic reform, which has been registering significant progress, and ways of further strengthening bilateral relations between their respective countries. During the discussion, the ambassadors have expressed their appreciation for the changes taking place in Ethiopia. Ambassador Baak Valentino of South Sudan stated that he discussed multilateral issues to further strengthen bilateral relations. All the ambassadors have reaffirmed their commitment to working toward strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and their respective countries, it was learned.

Ten companies are currently seeking to list on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) as of January 2026, according to the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, signalling gradual momentum in the country’s newly established capital market. The ESX, Ethiopia’s first organised securities exchange, was launched in January 2025 after the Capital Markets Proclamation of 2021 laid the legal foundation for modern capital market regulation through the creation of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA). The exchange is operated as a public-private partnership, with the government holding a minority stake through Ethiopian Investment Holdings. “Ethiopia’s capital market reform has established key institutions, including the Capital Market Authority, the Securities Exchange, and the Central Depository,” said Hana Tekulku, Director General of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, at the Finance Forward Ethiopia conference attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Ethiopia previously experimented with share trading in the 1960s before nationalisation policies under the Derg regime halted organised securities trading for decades.

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has been named the winner of the 2026 African Peace Prize for his peaceful management of Chad's political transition and the country's humanitarian response to Sudanese refugees, the African Conference for Peace has announced. The Prize Committee's unanimous decision recognizes President Déby’s role in consolidating peace in Chad while opening the country's eastern border to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in Sudan, the organization said. The committee said the award aligns with the mission of the African Peace Prize, which honors leaders who embody high human values, spread a culture of peace, strengthen security and support sustainable development, in line with the African Union's Agenda 2063, "The Africa We Want." Previous laureates include Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum (2022), Nigeria's then-President Muhammadu Buhari (2023), Gambian President Adama Barrow (2024) and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara (2025). The award ceremony is scheduled for early February in Nouakchott, during the opening session of the 6th African Conference for Peace, where Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani will present the prize to President Déby.

Ethiopia has successfully concluded a landmark month-long cervical cancer screening and treatment campaign across six regions, surpassing nearly all targets set just 30 days earlier. Dr Dereje Duguma, Prof. Francis Chisaka Kasolo, and AECID representatives, hailed the campaign as a national milestone in women’s health. Prof. Kasolo emphasized that the campaign was a proof of concept, demonstrating Ethiopia’s capacity, partnerships, and community trust to eliminate cervical cancer. Follow-up and recall mechanisms will be strengthened, and cervical cancer screening and treatment services will be fully embedded within primary health care and the Health Extension Program to ensure sustainable national coverage. The campaign not only concluded a successful initiative but also marked a significant step toward a cervical cancer-free future for Ethiopia.

- A restaurant off East Michigan Avenue known over the last three decades for its authentic Ethiopian dishes will expand to Okemos next month. Altu's Ethiopian Cuisine & Bar, in business since 1996, will open a second location at 4738 Central Park Drive, owner Gutu Lencha said. Lencha's been at the helm of the restaurant, located at 1312 E. Michigan Ave., since 2023. He's the nephew of Altu's founder, Altu Tadesse, who moved to the area with her husband, who studied at Michigan State University. Both Lencha and Tadesse are natives of Ethiopia.

The Nigerian Exchange has continued its strong growth this year, and on 5 January passed a milestone market capitalization of NGN 100 trillion to close at NGN 101.8trn ($71.5 billion). Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement praising the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Nigeria’s businesses, the market operators and investors, saying it is a powerful signal of renewed investor confidence and economic rejuvenation. “Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered. The NGN 100trn market capitalization is a signal to the world that the Nigerian economy is robust and productive. The NGN 100trn market capitalization is a signal to the world that the Nigerian economy is robust, productive, and open for business.”