NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, June 13, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs Main Department in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines has finalized preparations of the initial phase to commence an e-visa service for international visitors to Ethiopia effective June 12, 2017.

The e-visa is processed and issued online on a single Web page where applicants apply, pay and secure their entry visa online. Once the online application is approved, applicants will receive an email authorizing them to travel to Ethiopia and they will get their passport stamped with the visa upon arrival in Addis Ababa.

Regarding the new service Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam remarked, "Ethiopia, the oldest independent civilization in Africa and one of the oldest in the world, is endowed with historical places, natural beauty, colorful and diverse cultural activities and various endemic wild animals which are of great interest to international tourists. However; we have not made best use of these natural resources to attract large number of tourists. To this effect, this project is part of a new national initiative to transform the tourism sector in the country. The full commencement of the Online Visa application and issuance system will promote tourism, trade and investment to the country. It will save time, energy and cost for travelers to Ethiopia in addition to the simplicity and convenience that it facilitates. With direct flights to/from more than 95 destinations from all corners of the world operated by the most modern airplanes, we will continue to make travel to Ethiopia, dependable, easy, convenient and affordable. I will take this opportunity to thank our IT team and our colleagues at the Main Department for Immigration & Nationality Affairs for the commendable collaboration and the job well done."

Mr. Gebreyohannes Teklu, Director Main Department for Immigration & Nationality Affairs, commented, "We are glad that we have been working together with Ethiopian Airlines for the effective implementation of e-visa facilities at Bole International Airport. Now international visitors to Ethiopia, from countries provisioned for visa upon arrival, will make use of this service. Moreover, we have set up separate counters to process the visas of travelers under electronic travel authorization."

To get your e-visa visit https://www.evisa.gov.et/#/home

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seven decades of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 95 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

For more information about this press release, please contact etuspr@gmail.com or:

Mrs. Hanna Atnafu
Manager Corporate Communications, Ethiopian Airlines
Tel 251-1)517-89-07/656/165/913/529
CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com


http://www.einpresswire.com/article/386608557/ethiopia-launches-online-entry-visa-application-and-issuance-e-visa

Nigeria is not eligible for the evisa application.....

Of course Nigeria should be eligible, watch how the Economy of the country will grow in the shortest time possible. Meanwhile Nigeria is still battling the problem of Electricity in this 21st century GIANT OF AFRICA INDEED!

It pains me to the marrow when I see African countries that Nigeria is far wealthier than, and more naturally endowed doing better than Nigeria. Honestly, it's fair to say Nigeria is a cataclysmic disgrace to Africa and the entire black race.

Re: Nigeria, Ethiopia Rekindle Bilateral Ties
On July 1st, I read an interesting piece in Guardian Newspaper titled, “Nigeria, Ethiopia rekindle bilateral ties.” Not a long write-up so I reckon you might want to glance through later.

In summary, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, and his Ethiopian counterpart had a bilateral meeting and some nice words were flown around like, mutual progress and prosperity, cooperation in defence and economy, amongst others. There were even mentions of the long standing relationship between both countries pre-dating Nigeria’s independence; and all other such words that probably describes a true love story, at least in the movies.

While this could be true, some thoughts immediately popped up in my head after reading the piece but being the gentleman that I think I am, or at least my wife believes me to be, I briefly mumbled a few words to my wife on my point of view and happily buried it there.

So last night, I was busy being my nocturnal self and just reading through news and stories then I came across a tweet from the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam El-Rufai about Ethiopian Airlines commencing flights directly to and fro Kaduna International Airport from August 1st, 2017.

This is a laudable development and, I must say, one that is probably considered an achievement by those who brokered the deal, being that it would bring some respite to those who would otherwise have taken a trip to Abuja or even Kano to catch a flight. I believe the deal makers had this and more in mind and I truly salute their intents.

However, after reading the tweet from Mallam El-Rufai, it got me pondering again and regurgitating my thoughts from July 1st. Seemingly minor but I believe worth sharing.

Firstly, with the addition of Kaduna, Ethiopian Airlines will have 5 routes/destination cities in Nigeria namely: Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Kaduna. I stand to be corrected but last time I checked, this is the only country not just in Africa but the world over including China where Ethiopian Airlines has the highest number of cities covered.

Also worthy of note is the fact that amongst all the ‘major’ countries in East Africa, Ethiopia is the only country that doesn’t grant Nigerian passport holders’ visa on arrival despite the fact that there’s supposed to be very cordial diplomatic relations between both countries.
Recently, The Ethiopian Immigration and Nationality Affairs’ main department in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines (as written on their website) launched a new e-visa program about last month (June 2017) aimed at boosting tourism and of course, unsurprisingly, Nigeria was excluded from the list.

Now, here’s what I’m getting at, in business, people talk about negotiating from the position of strength. I see no reason from where Nigeria stands why this issue shouldn’t be addressed, considering how much revenue ‘we’ve allowed them generate’ (story for another day) from all the routes they serve in our country. After all, if my money is good enough for your pocket. . .
How does one talk about rekindled bilateral ties without ease of access between both countries? I would expect that our leaders and particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia to seek how they ensure that our interests are protected in every agreement not just with Ethiopia, but with other countries as well.

I didn’t know who particularly to address this to but I suppose sharing my thoughts and putting them out there would perhaps stimulate a discourse and possibly a call to action by citizens and leaders alike.
Remember, it’s in the little things we permit that allow people take us for granted.
Happy to read your comments and have you share your take.
Cheers!

Full disclosure: Yes I’m a frequent traveler to Ethiopia but it’s not just about me getting visas, matter of fact, I have never been denied their visa. Also Ethiopians are very warm and friendly people that love Nigerians.