Addis Abeba – The Harari Regional State has refuted recent reports alleging that “business establishments have been shut down due to the failure of contributing financially for the ongoing corridor development” in Harar City. The regional state clarified that the action was taken against “all businesses operating within unfinished buildings.”
In recent weeks, reports have surfaced of business closures in Harar City. Among the affected businesses are 43 branches of commercial banks operating within the city.
In a statement issued on 26 December, 2024, the Regional Enterprise and Industry Development Bureau announced that commercial establishments operating in buildings that meet the standards are resuming operations.
According to Bureau Head Ismail Yusuf, a ban was imposed on providing services in buildings that violated the Harar City Building Proclamation 624/2001 and the Investment Proclamation 1180/2014.
He noted that in accordance with this law, commercial establishments that were providing services in incomplete buildings were ordered to close.
“However, commercial establishments operating in buildings that meet the standards have been allowed to resume operations,” Ismail disclosed.
On 23 December, 2024, the Ethiopian Bankers Association announced that 43 branches of various banks in the Harari Region had been closed for nine days because “they failed to contribute the requested two million birr for the corridor development.”
In an interview with VoA, Demsew Kassa, the association’s secretary-general, stated that “although some banks cited operating in unfinished buildings as a reason, the main issue was their failure to contribute the funds.” AS
