Africa

World’s poorest have least access to safe water: UNICEF

Almost four years after the world met the global target set in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for safe drinking water, and after the UN General Assembly declared that water was a human right, over three-quarters of a billion people, most of them poor, still do not have this basic necessity, UNICEF said to commemorate World Water Day.

Estimates from UNICEF and WHO published in 2013 are that a staggering 768 millionpeople do not have access to safe drinking water, causing hundreds of thousands of children to sicken and die each year. Most of the people without access are poor and live in remote rural areas or urban slums.

Africa

Chinese train manufacturer signs deal with Ethiopia

The Chinese train manufacturer, CNR Corporation Limited, has signed an agreement with the Ethiopian government to provide 41 engines for use on the Addis Ababa light railway now under construction, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.  The engines will be custom-made for use in Addis Ababa. “They will be able to travel at a maximum of 70 kilometers per hour and will be constructed to ensure they [are] sunlight-resistant with using special components for their glass, rubber, paint and cables.”

Africa

Business between UAE and Ethiopia booming

Mahlet Fasil

Trade relationship between Ethiopia and countries within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has shown huge progress over the last ten years. This was mentioned during business to business meeting between visiting officials and businesses from the UAE and their Ethiopian counterparts held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel yesterday.