Banking Expansion: Stanbic Bank (Standard Bank group) is weighing a greenfield entry into Ethiopia, but says the 49% foreign ownership cap makes minority positions difficult, even as it remains confident in the market and points to improving performance in its Ethiopian telecom client. Tourism Finance: IFC will lend $80m to MIDROC Ethiopia’s hospitality arm to refurbish Sheraton Addis (Luxury Collection) and develop a new Sheraton hotel, targeting thousands of jobs and stronger tourism-linked employment. COP32 Readiness: Ethiopia’s COP32 president-designate Gedion Timothewos briefed African ambassadors in Addis Ababa on preparations, with partners reaffirming support. Sea Access & Regional Trade: A senior Ethiopian lawmaker says renewed talks on Ethiopia’s sea access are tied to regional security and shared prosperity, with economic and strategic consequences from landlocked status. Green Entrepreneurship: Stakeholders backed circular-economy green entrepreneurs, celebrating Reach for Change Ethiopia’s Green Innovation Lab and Green Business Incubator cohorts and waste-to-value initiatives. Housing Tech Push: Ethiopia showcased 3D printing, light steel prefabrication, and container housing at a demo site aimed at cutting build times to days or weeks. Agriculture Investment: Ethiopia reports agricultural investment is expanding food security, import substitution, and export earnings, with millions of hectares under investment and thousands of investors. Ethiopia FX Watch: The birr saw a modest 0.38% weekly decline, suggesting an orderly crawl amid a still-divided market. Ebola Preparedness: Ethiopia is listed among high-risk countries in the WHO-declared Ebola PHEIC response, with enhanced travel screening highlighted. Energy & Jobs via Finance: Akobo Minerals says mining and processing restarted after April fuel disruptions, with operations largely back to normal by May. Hospitality Growth: Allied Gold also flagged ongoing development progress at its Kurmuk Gold Project in Ethiopia alongside portfolio updates.