Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) has officially listed Awash Bank S.C. on its main market, marking a significant milestone in the development of Ethiopia’s capital markets.
The listing was inaugurated with a bell-ringing ceremony at the exchange’s trading floor, positioning Awash Bank among the first financial institutions to debut on the platform.
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Awash Bank, the largest private bank in Ethiopia, registered 54,066,089 shares with the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), with 37,896,928 shares listed for trading. The securities were dematerialized through the central securities depository overseen by the National Bank of Ethiopia.
ESX Chief Executive Officer Tilahun Esmael Kassahun said the listing reflects growing confidence in Ethiopia’s nascent exchange and its potential to support economic growth.
“This listing provides investors with an opportunity to participate in a regulated market and demonstrates our commitment to fostering a stable and diverse investment landscape,” he said.
Awash Bank Chief Executive Officer Tsehay Shiferaw described the move as a milestone for the bank’s more than 20,000 employees and 12,000 shareholders, adding that the listing reinforces its role as a pioneer in Ethiopia’s financial sector.
The listing is expected to support capital formation for the bank while encouraging other Ethiopian companies to consider entering the market.
The ESX, Ethiopia’s first organized securities exchange, was established to facilitate trading in equities, bonds and other financial instruments, aiming to improve capital mobilization and expand investment opportunities in the country.
Ticker: AWAB
Market: ESX Main Market
Registered Shares: 54,066,089
Listed Shares: 37,896,928
