ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Afro, an English language radio station in Ethiopia, is to start test transmissions on FM from the end of November with music and programs for 18 hours a day. The new station will beam on FM 105.3 and is established by Addis Alemayehu and his wife, Martha Wondimu, with capital of 3 million birr (US$306,000). Addis Alemayehu told Capital that, so far, his company has invested close to 1.8 million birr (US$184,000) and is finalizing assessments on the interest of its target audience.

Currently, there are five FM stations, all in Amharic. Desta Tesfaw, deputy-director general of the Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency told Capital that, the international community should have a station for information, news and entertainment while living and working in Addis. “Based on a recent study, we have seen the importance of station for this target audience.” said Desta.

In 1999, a proclamation to provide for the systematic management of broadcast services came into force. The Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency is established as an autonomous Federal Administrative Agency.

Source: EthioBlog