The World Bank signaled its approval for recent reforms in Ethiopia with $1 billion in budgetary aid that will be disbursed over the next four months.

Recent rain shortages and possible effects of El Niño may intensify food insecurity in Ethiopia.

Africa’s rising economic strength has been the center of rhetoric, especially in the wake of the first-ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in August of 2014, which created space for U.S.-African financial partnerships and recognized the increasing importance of the region’s economic sectors. In East Africa, especially Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Kenya, the discussion has centered on the pivotal, and growing textile industry, which could change the game for not only East Africa, but garment industry giants like Bangladesh and China.

Despite strong economic strides over the last decade, Ethiopia continues to experience a migration exodus. While it is not uncommon to find Africans in bizarre and risky situation as they seek better opportunities abroad, those fleeing harsh conditions tend to come from countries with well documented human right abuses or dangerous conflict zones. Although Ethiopia has had it shares of bad press for its friction with the media amongst other allegations, it does not explain why so many Ethiopians take extraordinary means to migrate aboard.

Ethiopia’s capital city is scheduled to open the country’s first light rail system. Addis Ababa, as the hub of the country’s economy and transportation systems, as well as being the headquarters of the African Union, has needed a better transportation system for years.