National Dialogue Watch: The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, visited Addis Ababa and said Ethiopia’s National Dialogue could deliver “concrete results,” praising its grassroots, inclusive design. Monetary Policy: The National Bank of Ethiopia lifted its three-year lending credit cap and replaced it with a targeted reserve requirement, a shift meant to steer credit toward productive sectors. Security & Politics in Tigray: Demonstrators in Addis Ababa rallied against TPLF “subversive actions,” accusing rebels of repression, abductions and forced recruitment, and calling for full enforcement of the Pretoria cessation deal. Public Finance & Taxation: Ethiopia is preparing a new motor vehicle ownership tax for the 2027/28 budget year, with a proposed federal-regional revenue-sharing framework. Electricity Access: A new Afrobarometer dispatch finds rural Ethiopia still lacks reliable power, with only 9% of rural residents reporting electricity most or all of the time. Property Rights: A renewed focus on Addis Ababa’s unresolved nationalization of private houses highlights calls for just compensation under the law. Trade & Industry: The U.S. has opened an investigation into Ethiopian solar imports over claims of tariff circumvention. Regional Diplomacy: Germany’s foreign office state secretary wrapped up talks in Addis Ababa and the AU, emphasizing cooperation on green energy and legal labor migration. Tourism & Cities: Addis Ababa’s corridor development is boosting tourism and conference hosting, with the city reporting 221+ international conferences this fiscal year. Health Policy: Ethiopia and Addis Ababa adopted tobacco-control budget lines, signaling sustained public health financing. Crime at the Border: A passenger arriving from Addis Ababa was arrested in Kuwait with 8.5kg of hashish hidden in luggage.