Ethiopia Approves Six Key Bills

At this meeting, bills defining the powers and duties of administrative agencies, legislation establishing a national data management system and digital transformation, approval of energy sector investment projects through International Development Association (IDA) loans, amendments to federal income tax and value-added tax, and amendments to laws related to the national defense force were processed.

Following the general election, the necessity for new administrative reorganization arose in accordance with Article 56 of the Constitution, leading to a bill being submitted to the cabinet to legally redefine the powers and functions of federal administrative agencies.

This bill was submitted to Parliament and approved unanimously. This is part of efforts to enhance administrative efficiency and modernize the national governance system.

This law aims to strengthen AI research and innovation capabilities and is expected to accelerate digital economic growth and promote data-driven economic development.

This is a crucial step for improving Ethiopia's energy infrastructure and increasing efficiency.

The loan, totaling 580 million Ethiopian Birr, will be transferred to Parliament for final approval after confirmation of its consistency with the national borrowing policy.

Amendments to the federal income tax rules, including increasing industrial competitiveness through VAT reform and providing tax benefits for basic consumer goods, will take effect immediately upon gazette publication. These rules have been realigned with Federal Income Tax Awaze 979/2008.

It also includes increasing industrial competitiveness through VAT reform and expanding tax benefits for basic consumer goods. These amendments are expected to take effect immediately upon gazette publication.

This bill, prepared after identifying the need to supplement the existing National Defense Force Law (No. 1286), will undergo parliamentary submission and approval processes to promote the efficient operation of the national defense force.