Telecom Digital Push: Ethio telecom says it has completed the first year of its three-year “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond” strategy, aiming to grow from connectivity into digital financial services, cloud and enterprise platforms, with a target of 96.2 million customers by 2026/27 and 4G coverage reaching 95% of the population. Green Industry Upgrade: Heineken Ethiopia will launch a 4 billion birr (US$24.5M) green energy project at its Kilinto brewery in October, switching the plant to green electricity to cut heavy fuel oil use and support its carbon-neutral push. Horn Trade Integration: Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to deeper Horn of Africa integration, linking its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda to regional trade corridors and trade-facilitating infrastructure. Energy Diplomacy & Regional Links: A new push to build competing East Africa fuel hubs is gaining momentum, with reports of talks around Dangote’s Lamu refinery and possible stakes from regional players including Rwanda and Ethiopia. Food Systems Powered by Renewables: Experts at the Africa Food Systems Forum urged stronger coordination and investment to power irrigation, processing, cold storage and transport with renewables, arguing energy must be treated as core to food security. Regional Business Spotlight: Africa’s Business Heroes 2026 Top 10 highlights founders across agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing, including Ethiopia, with women making up 40% of the cohort.