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In 2024, Ethiopia launched a bold set of economic reforms, part of its Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER) agenda, aimed at transforming the economy to be more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. These reforms are backed by major international partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which have provided billions in financing to support the efforts. Here’s a closer look at the benefits and challenges these reforms bring to Ethiopia and its people.

For those seeking a genuine experience, spectacular landscapes and the flares of authentic culture, look no further than Gurage. Over the last months we explored and designed tours specifically crafted to immerse visitors in the daily rhythms of Gurage communities, and this article tells you something about what expects you there.

After successfully overcoming 2 crises like Covid-19 and the conflict in the Northern part of the country, we organized again the annual training for our internal staff and freelance tourism professionals. We found it important to bring together all these professionals after such long time - to reconnect, spend some valuable time together, improve our knowledge and fill the small gaps that this long time with few job opportunities inevitably created.

Our employee Lorenzo Mazzoni, born in Italy and expert in Ethiopian history, religion, music and culture, graduated with a thesis on the Rastafari movement and reggae music, later published under the title “Rasta Marley, the roots of Reggae” (Stampalternativa, Viterbo 2009). In 2011 he started travelling to Ethiopia, and in 2018 he began working there, first as a language teacher, and then as a tour guide and sales manager for SimienEcoTours. His connection to Ethiopian history, religion and music continued to stay very strong, so who better that Lorenzo can explain the real Rastafari movement?

Yes, we Ethiopians and Ethiopia-lovers are all victims of the Tigray conflict, it really affected the whole country and its people which all lost unconditionally. There is no beauty from war. The unconditional love, hospitality, and kindness of the Tigray people, the beautiful landscapes, the breath-taking views from every mountain, the spiritually rich churches and monasteries – it all planted roots deep in our hearts. Our absence from this region is just about three years, but it has a feeling of three centuries and more. What now matters most is the empowerment, courage and mental strength to reopen and restart – for us and more than all for the people in Tigray.