Ethiopia Probes Possible Theft of Funds for Sugar Expansion
- Auditor-General to investigate Sugar Corp.’s advance payments
- Sugar is part of privatization drive to improve the economy
A farm worker cuts sugar cane.
Photographer: Naashon Zalk/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Ethiopia is investigating possible misappropriation of funds meant for the expansion of 10 state-owned sugar factories that are part of the industry now slated for privatization.
The planned sale of factories now run by Ethiopian Sugar Corp. is part of a drive by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government to reduce national debt, generate foreign exchange and strengthen the economy of Africa’s second most-populous nation. A stake in the telecommunications monopoly and two mobile-phone licenses are also up for grabs.