AFRICA BUSINESS-Ethiopian entrepreneurs struggle as command economy soars

Heavy hand of state seen stifling innovation

* Telecoms, Internet in hands of state monopoly

* Government says state role ensures broad development

By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 17 In Ethiopia, where state spending rather than private enterprise has been the driving force behind double-digit economic growth, tech entrepreneurs like Araya Lakew feel stuck in the slow lane.

Five years ago, the 34-year-old spotted a niche for a website matching buyers and sellers of second-hand cars in a nation where prices often rise even as vehicles age because of high tariffs on imports.

His website, Mekina.net, receives 316,000 hits a month and adds 20 cars a day to its sales list but he has struggled to expand beyond the capital because of poor Internet penetration and a ropey mobile network run by state monopoly Ethio Telecom. Read More…

 

AFRICA BUSINESS-Ethiopian entrepreneurs struggle as command economy soars

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