This exposition delineates the principal legislative enactments promulgated within the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia during the fiscal years 2024-2025 (Gregorian Calendar), along with the delineation of key governmental and quasi-governmental entities vested with specific mandates under these new legal instruments. The following sections provide a structured overview of the temporal progression of these proclamations and the functional roles of the involved actors.
Temporal Progression of Legislative Efficacy
Concomitant with August 8, 2016 E.C. (Gregorian Calendar: August 8, 2016):
The gazettement of several significant proclamations occurred on this date, marking their immediate entry into force. Proclamation No. 1334-2016, specifically addressing Public Holidays, became effective upon its official publication in the Negarit Gazeta. This legislative instrument expressly supersedes the prior Public Holidays and Rest Day Proclamation No. 16/1967, inclusive of its subsequent amendments (Proclamation No. 28/1967 and No. 29/1988), with the singular exception of those provisions explicitly pertaining to weekly rest days.
Simultaneously, Proclamation No. 1342-2024, which effects an amendment to Proclamation No. 768/2004 concerning export trade duty incentive schemes, also attained legal efficacy upon its official promulgation in the Federal Negarit Gazeta.
Furthermore, Proclamation No. 1341-2016, governing Value Added Tax, became legally operative subsequent to its formal approval by the House of Peoples’ Representatives. This enactment is principally purposed to ensure equity and to confer benefit upon the citizenry and the commercial sector through a concentrated focus on public segments demonstrably entitled to tax exemption rights, concurrently maintaining the critical linkage between input tax and output tax within the fiscal framework.
Concomitant with March 3, 2025 E.C. (Gregorian Calendar: March 3, 2025):
On this designated date, Proclamation No. 1363/2024, concerning the marketing of petroleum products, entered into force immediately upon its official gazettement in the Federal Negarit Gazeta. This legislative measure is intended to cultivate a propitious environment conducive to the stringent control of illicit activities prevalent within the petroleum products value chain, whilst concurrently establishing a modern, efficacious, transparent, reliable, equitable, and readily accessible system for supply, distribution, and retailing transactions.
Concomitant with March 31, 2025 E.C. (Gregorian Calendar: March 31, 2025):
Proclamation No. 1353-2025, pertaining to Federal Civil Servants, was officially disseminated through its publication in Federal Negarit Gazette No. 34. Its provisions are understood to govern diverse facets of the federal civil service, including, inter alia, prospective stipulations addressing administrative courts and the appointments of judicial officers. It is to be noted that the precise effective date of this proclamation is not explicitly enumerated within the provided documentation, with only its publication date being specified.
Proclamations Operative within the Year 2024:
A number of proclamations have been in effect during the calendar year 2024. Proclamation No. 1322-2024, which delineates and regulates Special Economic Zones, including their establishment, administration, and associated legal entities, is currently operative.
Furthermore, Proclamation No. 1321-2024, which governs the processing of personal data, encompassing the articulation of data owner rights, data controller and processor obligations, and the jurisdictional purview of the pertinent Authority in matters of data protection, remains in effect.
The regulatory framework for federal government procurement and property administration, establishing comprehensive rules for bidding procedures, evaluation methodologies, and the adjudication of grievances, as enshrined in Proclamation No. 1333-2024, continues to be operative.
Proclamation No. 1314-2024, which establishes regulations pertinent to government-owned development enterprises, with a concentrated emphasis on economic efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness, is presently in force.
The legislative instrument designed to control and manage residential rent prices within urban centers, with the aim of promoting affordability and equitably balancing the respective interests of landlords and tenants, as codified in Proclamation No. 1320-2024, remains operative.
Proclamations Operative within the Year 2023:
The re-establishment of the Ombudsman’s Council, along with the detailed delineation of its membership and responsibilities, as articulated in Proclamation No. 1307-2023, is currently operative.
Proclamations Operative within the Year 2024:
Proclamation No. 1343-2024, which confers the authority to implement regulations and directives at any juncture and without prior notification in manufacturing, service, storage, distribution, or retail facilities, encompassing provisions for inspection and sampling, is currently in force.
The regulatory framework governing real estate development, marketing, and valuation, including specific provisions pertaining to foreign investors and valuation professionals, as established by Proclamation No. 1357-2024, remains operative.
Delineation of Key Institutional Actors and Their Mandates
President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia:
The incumbent Head of State performs a critical ceremonial and executive function in the enactment of legislation. Formerly, Sahle-Work Zewde formally assented to and thereby enacted into law several pivotal proclamations, including Proclamation No. 1334-2016, concerning Public Holidays; Proclamation No. 1342-2024, which effected amendments to Export Trade Duty Incentive Schemes; and Proclamation No. 1341-2016, pertaining to Value Added Tax. The current President, Taye Astke-Sellasie, similarly provided formal assent to Proclamation No. 1363/2024, which governs the Marketing of Petroleum Products, thereby bringing it into legal effect.
Board (Special Economic Zone):
This collegial body is charged with the responsibility of conferring Special Economic Zone status upon designated locales, contingent upon the satisfactory submission of a formal application and comprehensive supporting documentation by a prospective developer.
Commission (Special Economic Zone – SEZ):
The Commission for Special Economic Zones is entrusted with manifold responsibilities. These encompass the formalization of development agreements with SEZ developers, the meticulous administration of single-window services within SEZs, the systematic coordination of pertinent institutional entities, and the ultimate assurance of efficient service delivery within these zones. Furthermore, in collaborative conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Commission, this body is tasked with the organization of a standing joint committee specifically dedicated to ensuring that granted incentives are utilized for their express intended purpose.
Special Economic Zone Developer:
An entity duly licensed under the Special Economic Zone Proclamation, a Special Economic Zone Developer is responsible for the comprehensive administration, diligent maintenance, necessary repair, systematic provision of services to, and active promotion of a Special Economic Zone. These functions are executed in strict accordance with the Proclamation’s dictates and a formalized agreement concluded with the SEZ Administrator. Its purview encompasses the conceptual design, physical construction, and ongoing development of the SEZ, or the provision of other specifically defined services therein.
Special Economic Zone Administrator:
This entity, also licensed under the Special Economic Zone Proclamation, enters into formalized agreements with SEZ developers and sub-developers. It bears the principal responsibility for the diligent administration and effective operation of Special Economic Zones. Authority is further vested in this Administrator to issue identity credentials to authorized personnel operating within the designated zone.
Special Economic Zone Enterprise:
A distinct legal entity, a Special Economic Zone Enterprise holds developed land or buildings within a Special Economic Zone under sub-lease or rental arrangements. Its express purpose is to engage in profitable economic activities within the zone, with such engagement being predicated upon adherence to the Proclamation and a formal agreement with the relevant SEZ authority.
Customs Commission:
This governmental commission is charged with the reception of written declarations pertaining to abandoned goods situated within a Special Economic Zone, the assurance of proper payment of all duties and taxes due, and the systematic management of the disposition of goods legally deemed abandoned or ownerless. Conjointly with the SEZ Commission and the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Commission participates in the collaborative oversight of incentive utilization.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
This Ministry is empowered to issue directives governing the ceremonial observance of public holidays within Ethiopian embassies and consulates domiciled in foreign jurisdictions.
Ombudsman’s Council:
Re-established by Proclamation No. 1307-2023, this Council comprises a specific membership. This includes the Chief Ombudsman, who serves as the presiding officer; the Deputy Chief Ombudsman; the Ombudsman specifically designated for Women, Children, Persons with Disabilities, and the Elderly; various sector-specific Ombudsmen; and two additional members drawn from the Democracy Affairs Standing Committee, whose appointments are effected by the Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
Chief Ombudsman:
This individual holds the distinguished position of presiding officer for the Ombudsman’s Council.
Deputy Chief Ombudsman:
This individual serves as a constituent member of the Ombudsman’s Council.
Ombudsman for Women, Children, Persons with Disabilities, and the Elderly:
This individual holds a specialized portfolio as a constituent member of the Ombudsman’s Council.
Ministry (Innovation and Technology):
Within the context of the Personal Data Proclamation, this term refers specifically to the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.
Minister (Innovation and Technology):
Within the context of the Personal Data Proclamation, this term refers specifically to the Minister occupying the portfolio for Innovation and Technology.
Authority (Personal Data):
This regulatory body is vested with comprehensive responsibility for overseeing the processing of personal data. Its mandate encompasses, inter alia, the registration of data controllers and processors, the adjudication of complaints formally submitted by data owners, and the conduct of comprehensive oversight functions pertinent to data protection.
Data Controller:
Any natural or juristic person who, acting autonomously or in conjunction with other entities, processes personal data and determines the precise manner in which such data is processed. Registration with the Authority is posited as a prerequisite for the legitimate processing of personal data.
Data Processor:
A person, distinct from an employee of the data controller, who processes personal data on behalf of the data controller. Registration with the Authority is posited as a prerequisite for the legitimate processing of personal data.
Data Owner:
The natural person to whom personal data pertains. This individual possesses the inherent right to inquire concerning their data and to submit formal complaints to the Authority in the event of perceived infringements upon their established rights.
Data Protection Officer:
An individual specifically appointed by data controllers or processors for the express purpose of ensuring strict adherence to extant data protection statutes. This role necessarily mandates the possession of relevant academic qualifications, professional certification, requisite knowledge, and demonstrated technical experience in the specialized domain of data protection.
Ministry of Finance:
This Ministry engages in collaborative efforts with the Special Economic Zone Commission and the Customs Commission for the organization of a standing joint committee, principally purposed to ensure that granted incentives are utilized for their express intended purpose. Furthermore, the Council of Ministers, in consultative conjunction with this Ministry, issues regulations pertaining to Value Added Tax.
Tax Authority:
This governmental agency is charged with the multifarious functions of registering individuals for Value Added Tax, issuing pertinent VAT certificates, effecting the cancellation of registrations under specified conditions, and generally enforcing Value Added Tax legislation. It is additionally responsible for the formal reception of tax returns and the systematic collection of Value Added Tax.
Council of Ministers:
This collegial body is vested with the paramount authority to promulgate regulations and directives for the comprehensive implementation of the Petroleum Products Marketing Proclamation and the Value Added Tax Proclamation. The determination of the payment percentage for informants identifying illicit trade or contraband in petroleum products also falls squarely within its jurisdictional purview.
Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure:
Within the specific context of the Rent Control and Administration Proclamation, this term is defined as the ‘Ministry’.
Supervising Body (Rent Control):
This entity is responsible for the authentication and formal registration of residential lease agreements, operating in collaborative conjunction with the regional body duly authorized to authenticate documents.
Federal Civil Service Commissioner:
This individual is responsible for administering the oath of office to Judges of the Administrative Court.
State Holding Company:
This corporate entity possesses the inherent authority to establish a government-owned development enterprise under the Federal Government-Owned Enterprise Proclamation and its foundational legal instrument. It is additionally the designated recipient of financial statements and proposals concerning the dissolution of government-owned development enterprises.
Liquidation Administrator:
An individual appointed by the State Holding Company to manage the intricate process of liquidation for a government-owned development enterprise. This administrator is vested with the responsibilities of asset collection, their subsequent sale, and the judicious distribution of the resultant proceeds to creditors.
Board (Government-Owned Enterprise):
A collegial body established for each government-owned development enterprise, its fundamental mandate is to fulfill the enterprise’s responsibilities and vigilantly safeguard its legitimate interests. Members of this Board are enjoined to act with due diligence and to rigorously avoid any demonstrable conflicts of interest.
Valuer (Real Estate):
Any real property valuer is required to obtain a professional license, adhere strictly to established ethical codes, and undergo triennial assessments to maintain professional standing.
Public Body (Procurement):
Within the context of public procurement and property administration, this term refers to governmental entities actively engaged in these functions. Such bodies are primarily responsible for the meticulous preparation of detailed technical specifications, the rigorous evaluation of bids, and the comprehensive management of contractual agreements.
Board (Public Procurement and Property Administration):
This adjudicatory body is responsible for handling appeals pertaining to procurement decisions. It receives formal appeal applications and subsequently dispatches official notifications to the relevant public body whose decision is under appeal.
Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration:
Within the context of the Petroleum Products Marketing Proclamation, this term is defined as the ‘Ministry’, exercising comprehensive oversight over petroleum product marketing and related activities.
Authority (Petroleum and Energy):
This regulatory body is charged with the comprehensive oversight of the marketing system for petroleum products. Its duties encompass, inter alia, the systematic classification of fuel stations, the issuance of certificates of competence and construction permits, the assurance of stringent safety protocols, and the rigorous enforcement of pertinent regulations. Furthermore, it is responsible for the systematic collection, organization, and dissemination of information pertaining to petroleum products.