Russia’s largest e-commerce major Wildberries announced a partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), one of Ethiopia’s premier investment groups, according to the company’s press-release.
As a reminder, in 2024 Wildberries was rocked by controversy surrounding a merger deal with Russ Group, an outdoor advertising operator reportedly controlled by billionaire Dagestan senator Suleiman Kerimov that is a tenth of the size of Wildberries.
In 2025, as the case seems to have settled down, Wildberries starts to venture into new verticals. Recent reports suggested it could launch its own MVNO, an advertising data platform, as well as expand in foodtech. bne IntelliNews followed the mysterious M&A spree in detail.
Now, in near future, Wildberries said it plans to enter the markets of Ethiopia and of other African countries, according to the press-release.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in Moscow by Robert Mirzoyan, Chief Executive Officer of the united company Wildberries & Russ, and EIH Chief Executive Officer Brook Taye.
The agreement provides for joint work on adapting Wildberries’ products to the Ethiopian market, as well as collaboration and mutual support in investment and technological initiatives aimed at fostering the growth of Ethiopia’s e-commerce sector and related infrastructure.
Ethiopian Investment Holdings, the largest sovereign wealth fund in Africa, manages assets exceeding $150bn and plays a key role in advancing Ethiopia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Shwetaungthagathu Reform Initiative Centre
By Thuta Aung
Grappling with polycrisis, Myanmar is falling behind in its efforts to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the targets set under its own Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP).
Key Takeaways:Emergence and Evolution of Sustainability: The concept of “sustainability” emerged around the 17th century during the Enlightenment era, when a choice arose between profit-oriented industrialisation and a sustainable community
Historical Factors from the precolonial era to recent years, Influencing Myanmar’s Sustainability Context: from dependencies of agriculture during the monarchy to long-lasting civil war after independence.
Although efforts were made along with the democratisation of the country but the progress faced severe setbacks after the 2021 coup, and implementing the SDGs is struggling in Myanmar due to polycrisis, calling for action for the next generation.
A brief history of Sustainable Development
The world has transformed from the very beginning and is still changing. But with the emergence of humankind 2,000,000 years ago, the dynamics of change in the world were shifted. Although the very first man depended on nature for their survival, later man tried to shape the world. In the 17th century, the Enlightenment era, a man had to choose whether to go for profit-oriented industrialisation or a sustainable community with less material development. Since that time, the term “sustainability” has emerged. But due to colonialism, competition among countries, and technological advancement, it led to industrialisation and excessive resource extraction. But in the 18th century, society became aware of the effect of it and started thinking that human society should live within its limits. A concept that the growth of the global economy should not continue indefinitely, but should be maintained at a point where people are satisfied and happy. This concept led to the development of 3E: environment, economy, and equity. But the exploitation still goes on, entering the 20th century, and the people became aware of environmental degradation after World War II. In the 1950s, environmental groups started warning of the consequences of plastics, chemicals, synthetics, pesticides, and fossil fuels.
The remarkable release of “Silent Spring” in 1962 made people aware of the effects of pesticides, called for action and public movement, followed by the first “Earth Day” in 1970. The policy level considerations were foundational in this era, like the enactment of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act in the United States. The international effort was through the United Nations Conference on Human Environment in 1972 in Stockholm. In 1992, the Rio De Janeiro Earth Summit participants discussed environmental degradation, strategies for sustainable development, and set Agenda 21, the comprehensive action plan, followed by the 1997 Kyoto protocol through relentless effort. The introduction of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to be met by 2015, then the setting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in 2015, which come with targets set to be met by 2030.
Understanding of sustainability
To meet those 17 sustainable development goals is not that simple; the practice and understanding of those goals is critical. Although there are good examples of implementing SDGs in lower-income countries, developed countries have more chances of achieving these goals. Indeed, in 1996, Dobson said there were over 300 definitions of sustainable development. And these two words, “sustainable development,” became the policy slogan of today’s era. These terms cover a broad definition, and this phenomenon became problematic in the effort to be understood by the general public. In 1987, the Brundtland Report, the origin of the widely cited definition of sustainability, defined the words as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” But it is still missing an important qualifying test, which leads to a broader definition, understanding, and practice of it.
The Context of Myanmar
In the context of Myanmar, the current effort of implementing sustainability is heavily influenced by the past, since the precolonial era. While the Western world was extensively practicing industrialisation, Myanmar, under a monarchy, was largely dependent on agriculture and had never seen industrialisation on a full scale. After the exile of the last monarchy, the country was administered as part of British India. The British bought systemic forest management, infrastructure development, but the social issues were largely neglected, and the economy was mainly foreign profit-oriented, as the country became part of an export-oriented enterprise of Western colonialism. During the post-colonial era, started long-lasting civil war started, followed by the 1962 coup led by General Ne Win. The country was ruled by socialism. During this era, the Western world experienced rapid economic development, known as “The Golden Age of Capitalism,” and the concept of sustainable development. But in Myanmar, the Ne Win dictatorship dove into an endless war, while the education system was centralised, and education resources were strictly controlled by the government. The economy was run under socialism, along with nationalisation of the consumer industry, although the compensation board was established. But due to their verdict, the amount compensated was minimal. And followed by the demonetisation of high-value currency notes, the economy had fallen. the un According to this context, it was unimaginable for sustainable development as the people are struggling in poor living conditions. The policy setting and management are highly centralised and were considered under the theme of nationalism. Following the 1988 uprising that caused atrocities by the Myanmar Military, power was handed to Than Shwe in 1992, whose board started a market economy, allowing foreign investment, but the people of Myanmar are still thriving under a military regime. The education system is still highly centralised and just runs as part of military propaganda. Apart from it, as the military was continuing the civil war with many ethnic armed groups, there were a lot of human rights violations and war crimes.
In 2010, the democratisation movement brought the concept of sustainability, as stated by H.E. Dr Sai Mauk Kham in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, “Myanmar believes in Green Economy and Green Growth as a new development policy.” But the government of Myanmar at that time was heavily shadowed by the military, and still, the exploitation of human rights is going on. The economic index was seen as a significant increase, along with reentering the global economy after reducing sanctions. The education sector also initiated reform, supported by many civic organizations. The concept of environmental management has been considered at the policy-making level. After the first democratisation era, followed by the NLD government, when was a lot of effort in sustainability, especially in the environmental sector, setting the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan(2018-2030), together with master plans for achieving those goals. The transformation of the business sector has also been boosted. But the government is still unaware of social well-being, and the most remarkable is the genocide against the Rohingya. Impacting the country’s effort on sustainability goals. After the 2021 coup, the country had fallen into a full-blown polycrisis, with severe environmental degradation due to increased resource exploitation to feed the war.
Challenges in building Sustainable Myanmar
Recognizing the historical context, the movement of sustainability in Myanmar is very young. Educating people about sustainability is critical for implementing the SDGs, but in a country facing an unstable economy, centralised education, and human rights issues, the concept of sustainability is not even within in policy-making level and thus hinders reaching the concept to the general public. Also, practicing sustainability at the community level is an objection. The country with an electricity coverage of around 40% of its population can’t convince its people not to use biomass as an energy source. The decade-long degraded education system cannot provide enough information for the rising generation about the sustainability of the future. While the daily income is less than 2 dollars, people cannot be optimistic about a sustainable approach like EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). The industrial sector of Myanmar is still practicing CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) programs as philanthropic work rather than a pathway to responsible business, which could also be linked with the public attitude toward CSR works. In combination with those situations, from a lack of basic education to poverty, the country hosts locally to regionally threatening actions, most obviously, of rare-earth mining, although Myanmar is the third largest exporter of REE, while most of the mines are in war-torn areas with no regulation to follow, along with other resource extraction, fuel the risk of country’s sustainability. Myanmar is also located in a disaster-prone region, which makes most of its area vulnerable, severely affected by climate change. Last but crucially, the country urgently desires to find an equal and inclusive peace, while representing that every voice, to eliminate the ongoing world’s longest civil war. Without peace, the above-mentioned sector will simply cannot be implemented.
Conclusion
Overall, the situation in Myanmar is still in polycrisis for achieving sustainable development. Although the nation is in crisis, the pathway to sustainability can still be fulfilled, and also should not be forgotten. Even if we, the people, can surpass this political crisis, the last thing our posterity will inherit will be a chaotic land.
By Thuta Aung
Grappling with polycrisis, Myanmar is falling behind in its efforts to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the targets set under its own Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP).
Key Takeaways:Emergence and Evolution of Sustainability: The concept of “sustainability” emerged around the 17th century during the Enlightenment era, when a choice arose between profit-oriented industrialisation and a sustainable community
Historical Factors from the precolonial era to recent years, Influencing Myanmar’s Sustainability Context: from dependencies of agriculture during the monarchy to long-lasting civil war after independence.
Although efforts were made along with the democratisation of the country but the progress faced severe setbacks after the 2021 coup, and implementing the SDGs is struggling in Myanmar due to polycrisis, calling for action for the next generation.
A brief history of Sustainable Development
The world has transformed from the very beginning and is still changing. But with the emergence of humankind 2,000,000 years ago, the dynamics of change in the world were shifted. Although the very first man depended on nature for their survival, later man tried to shape the world. In the 17th century, the Enlightenment era, a man had to choose whether to go for profit-oriented industrialisation or a sustainable community with less material development. Since that time, the term “sustainability” has emerged. But due to colonialism, competition among countries, and technological advancement, it led to industrialisation and excessive resource extraction. But in the 18th century, society became aware of the effect of it and started thinking that human society should live within its limits. A concept that the growth of the global economy should not continue indefinitely, but should be maintained at a point where people are satisfied and happy. This concept led to the development of 3E: environment, economy, and equity. But the exploitation still goes on, entering the 20th century, and the people became aware of environmental degradation after World War II. In the 1950s, environmental groups started warning of the consequences of plastics, chemicals, synthetics, pesticides, and fossil fuels.
The remarkable release of “Silent Spring” in 1962 made people aware of the effects of pesticides, called for action and public movement, followed by the first “Earth Day” in 1970. The policy level considerations were foundational in this era, like the enactment of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act in the United States. The international effort was through the United Nations Conference on Human Environment in 1972 in Stockholm. In 1992, the Rio De Janeiro Earth Summit participants discussed environmental degradation, strategies for sustainable development, and set Agenda 21, the comprehensive action plan, followed by the 1997 Kyoto protocol through relentless effort. The introduction of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to be met by 2015, then the setting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in 2015, which come with targets set to be met by 2030.
Understanding of sustainability
To meet those 17 sustainable development goals is not that simple; the practice and understanding of those goals is critical. Although there are good examples of implementing SDGs in lower-income countries, developed countries have more chances of achieving these goals. Indeed, in 1996, Dobson said there were over 300 definitions of sustainable development. And these two words, “sustainable development,” became the policy slogan of today’s era. These terms cover a broad definition, and this phenomenon became problematic in the effort to be understood by the general public. In 1987, the Brundtland Report, the origin of the widely cited definition of sustainability, defined the words as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” But it is still missing an important qualifying test, which leads to a broader definition, understanding, and practice of it.
The Context of Myanmar
In the context of Myanmar, the current effort of implementing sustainability is heavily influenced by the past, since the precolonial era. While the Western world was extensively practicing industrialisation, Myanmar, under a monarchy, was largely dependent on agriculture and had never seen industrialisation on a full scale. After the exile of the last monarchy, the country was administered as part of British India. The British bought systemic forest management, infrastructure development, but the social issues were largely neglected, and the economy was mainly foreign profit-oriented, as the country became part of an export-oriented enterprise of Western colonialism. During the post-colonial era, started long-lasting civil war started, followed by the 1962 coup led by General Ne Win. The country was ruled by socialism. During this era, the Western world experienced rapid economic development, known as “The Golden Age of Capitalism,” and the concept of sustainable development. But in Myanmar, the Ne Win dictatorship dove into an endless war, while the education system was centralised, and education resources were strictly controlled by the government. The economy was run under socialism, along with nationalisation of the consumer industry, although the compensation board was established. But due to their verdict, the amount compensated was minimal. And followed by the demonetisation of high-value currency notes, the economy had fallen. the un According to this context, it was unimaginable for sustainable development as the people are struggling in poor living conditions. The policy setting and management are highly centralised and were considered under the theme of nationalism. Following the 1988 uprising that caused atrocities by the Myanmar Military, power was handed to Than Shwe in 1992, whose board started a market economy, allowing foreign investment, but the people of Myanmar are still thriving under a military regime. The education system is still highly centralised and just runs as part of military propaganda. Apart from it, as the military was continuing the civil war with many ethnic armed groups, there were a lot of human rights violations and war crimes.
In 2010, the democratisation movement brought the concept of sustainability, as stated by H.E. Dr Sai Mauk Kham in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, “Myanmar believes in Green Economy and Green Growth as a new development policy.” But the government of Myanmar at that time was heavily shadowed by the military, and still, the exploitation of human rights is going on. The economic index was seen as a significant increase, along with reentering the global economy after reducing sanctions. The education sector also initiated reform, supported by many civic organizations. The concept of environmental management has been considered at the policy-making level. After the first democratisation era, followed by the NLD government, when was a lot of effort in sustainability, especially in the environmental sector, setting the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan(2018-2030), together with master plans for achieving those goals. The transformation of the business sector has also been boosted. But the government is still unaware of social well-being, and the most remarkable is the genocide against the Rohingya. Impacting the country’s effort on sustainability goals. After the 2021 coup, the country had fallen into a full-blown polycrisis, with severe environmental degradation due to increased resource exploitation to feed the war.
Challenges in building Sustainable Myanmar
Recognizing the historical context, the movement of sustainability in Myanmar is very young. Educating people about sustainability is critical for implementing the SDGs, but in a country facing an unstable economy, centralised education, and human rights issues, the concept of sustainability is not even within in policy-making level and thus hinders reaching the concept to the general public. Also, practicing sustainability at the community level is an objection. The country with an electricity coverage of around 40% of its population can’t convince its people not to use biomass as an energy source. The decade-long degraded education system cannot provide enough information for the rising generation about the sustainability of the future. While the daily income is less than 2 dollars, people cannot be optimistic about a sustainable approach like EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). The industrial sector of Myanmar is still practicing CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) programs as philanthropic work rather than a pathway to responsible business, which could also be linked with the public attitude toward CSR works. In combination with those situations, from a lack of basic education to poverty, the country hosts locally to regionally threatening actions, most obviously, of rare-earth mining, although Myanmar is the third largest exporter of REE, while most of the mines are in war-torn areas with no regulation to follow, along with other resource extraction, fuel the risk of country’s sustainability. Myanmar is also located in a disaster-prone region, which makes most of its area vulnerable, severely affected by climate change. Last but crucially, the country urgently desires to find an equal and inclusive peace, while representing that every voice, to eliminate the ongoing world’s longest civil war. Without peace, the above-mentioned sector will simply cannot be implemented.
Conclusion
Overall, the situation in Myanmar is still in polycrisis for achieving sustainable development. Although the nation is in crisis, the pathway to sustainability can still be fulfilled, and also should not be forgotten. Even if we, the people, can surpass this political crisis, the last thing our posterity will inherit will be a chaotic land.
About the author: Thuta Aung is a Research Assistant at the Sustainability Lab of the Shwetaungthagathu Reform Initiative Centre (SRIc), holds a B.Sc. in Geology, and is currently pursuing Environmental Science at Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Source: This article was published by The Sabai Times
Shwetaungthagathu Reform Initiative Centre
The Shwetaungthagathu Reform Initiative Centre (SRIc) is a hybrid think tank (non-partisan) and consultancy firm that advances sustainable governance, policy innovation, and sustainability literacy in Myanmar. Through its Sustainability Lab, SRIc conducts in-depth public policy research and analysis to promote sustainable development and guide Myanmar toward a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally conscious future. SRIc provides strategic policy advocacy, CSR consultation, and the development of sustainability roadmaps grounded in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. These services support public institutions and private sector actors in aligning their operations with the Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating rigorous research with actionable consultancy, SRIc supports responsible business practices, fosters innovative CSR strategies, and designs impactful sustainability pathways. SRIc contributes to local transformation & global sustainability efforts through this dual approach.
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