Your weekly dose of Ethiopia’s sharpest business, economic, and finance news.
Grab your buna and catch up on what’s moving Ethiopia’s markets and economy this week.
Aviation & Transport
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Fleet with 9 More Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed the purchase of nine additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with deliveries planned between 2031 and 2033. This order, finalized alongside an earlier commitment for 11 Boeing 737 MAX jets, brings the airline’s total Boeing 787-9 orders to 20.
Group CEO Mesfin Tasew emphasized that the investment reflects a commitment to modern, fuel-efficient aviation and enhanced customer experience. The expansion supports Ethiopia’s ambition to increase international connectivity and comes as the airline continues major infrastructure projects, including the Bishoftu International Mega Airport City.
Deep Dive
Fintechs vs Banks: Cooperation or a Quiet War in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia’s fintech boom masks a deeper, quieter struggle over control of the country’s financial future. While fintechs promise speed, inclusion, and better user experience, banks remain firmly in control of capital, licenses, and core infrastructure, shaping an ecosystem built more on dependence than disruption.
Regulation allows fintechs to move money but not own or lend it, forcing them into partnerships where banks retain power over data, settlement, and product approvals. At the same time, banks fear being pushed into the background as fintechs capture customer relationships, prompting them to launch their own digital platforms.
With high regulatory barriers, limited access to capital, and no open banking framework, Ethiopian fintechs face hard limits to scale. The result is neither open conflict nor true cooperation, but a quiet war fought through policy, infrastructure, and control over data, one that will ultimately determine who owns money in Ethiopia’s digital age. Read more
Capital Markets & Finance
ECMA Proposes Investor Compensation Cap at $640
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) has introduced a draft regulation setting the maximum investor compensation at 100,000 birr (~$640). The fund is intended to protect retail investors from default, fraud, or failure by licensed market participants, focusing on small investors while excluding banks and institutional players.
ECMA cited the sharp birr depreciation as a key reason for the fixed amount, aligning compensation benchmarks with regional peers like Kenya and Nigeria. Future directives will clarify distribution and operational mechanics, including whistleblower incentives and unclaimed dividend management. Source: Birrmetrics
ESX Records 2,500 Accounts; Trading Hits 12 Million Birr
The Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) now hosts roughly 2,500 active accounts, reflecting cautious investor uptake in its first year. Total trading volume has surpassed 12 million birr, despite falling short of initial targets. ESX CEO Tilahun Esmael notes that the cessation of direct share sales during registration, now routed through licensed brokers, is expected to accelerate market participation. A mobile app is in development to widen access beyond Addis Ababa, with corporate bonds and new listings planned to deepen activity. Source: Birrmetrics
Gadaa Securities and Awash Investment Bank Secure Full ESX Membership
Gadaa Securities Dealer S.C. and Awash Investment Bank have obtained full trading membership at ESX, expanding Ethiopia’s pool of licensed market participants. These new members are expected to boost liquidity, investor education, and long-term market growth. ESX targets nine listed companies by year-end. Read more
CBE Channels Over 91% of Half-Year Loans to Private Sector
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) allocated over 91% of the 321 billion birr in loans disbursed during H1 to private-sector businesses, signaling a shift toward private-led growth. Manufacturing, export, distribution, and service firms received 293.9 billion birr, while 51.3 billion birr supported interest-free Noor banking customers. CBE also posted strong deposit growth (2.02 trillion birr) and foreign exchange mobilization (USD 2.39 billion), with plans to expand digital and diaspora banking. Read more
Trade & Economy
Ethiopia Earns $5.1 Billion in Exports in First Half
Ethiopia’s exports reached $5.1 billion in the first six months of the fiscal year, exceeding the $4.42 billion target by 20%. This performance represents a $1.83 billion increase from the same period last year, reflecting strong export momentum amid ongoing economic reforms. The government now aims for $9.4 billion in total export revenue for the full fiscal year. Read more
Major Customs, Tax, and Entrepreneurship Reforms Approved
The Ethiopian Council of Ministers has approved key reforms to modernize trade, boost investment, and support entrepreneurs. Measures include:
- Customs Proclamation Amendment to align with international trade and support manufacturing growth.
- Performance-Based Tax and Duty Incentives targeting high-growth sectors.
- National Entrepreneurship Development Policy to strengthen innovation and the startup ecosystem. Read more
Technology & Digital Infrastructure
Websprix Launches Sovereign Cloud
Ethiopia’s first private ISP, Websprix, has launched a sovereign cloud platform designed to keep data within the country, supporting the government’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy. The platform offers VMware and OpenStack cloud clusters at ICT Park, ensuring high-performance computing, scalable storage, and continuous security. Early enterprise customers are already using the service, which is tailored for banks, public institutions, and other data-intensive digital applications. Source: Shega Media
CBE Connect Launches
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has unveiled CBE Connect, a digital platform integrating multiple financial services and enabling direct transfers from global banks to Ethiopian fintech wallets. Developed with StarPay Financial Technologies, the app supports multiple currencies, fee-free transfers, and full integration with the bank’s core system, enhancing accessibility and cross-border financial connectivity. Read more
Hospitality & Investment
MIDROC Acquires Historic Wabi Shebelle Hotel
MIDROC Investment Group has purchased Addis Ababa’s Wabi Shebelle Hotel, planning a full renovation under Marriott’s Autograph Collection brand. The historic hotel, built in 1968 by Emperor Haile Selassie I, will be modernized while retaining its heritage. This acquisition strengthens MIDROC’s hospitality portfolio ahead of COP32, complementing properties like the Sheraton Addis and Westin Addis.
Foreign Exchange & Monetary Policy
NBE FX Auction Clears at 154.78 Birr per USD
The 15th National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) foreign exchange auction cleared at 154.78 birr per USD (weighted average 154.92), allocating USD 70 million of 94.7 million in bids to 15 commercial banks. The auction continues to be a key tool for exchange rate management and price discovery. The next auction is scheduled in two weeks. Read more
Stay tuned for next week’s insights, where we unpack more sectoral trends and policy moves shaping Ethiopia’s future.
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