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.
Economy & Finance
Ethiopia Faces $253B Climate Finance Gap
A new Oxfam report warns that Ethiopia will need $252.8 billion by 2030 to meet its climate goals—the highest in the IGAD region. Most of the funding ($220.4B) is for emissions reductions, with $32.4B for adaptation. Current inflows average just $2.3B annually, meeting only 4% of needs. The report urges donors to favor grants over loans to avoid worsening Ethiopia’s debt distress, particularly for the agriculture-dependent population and vulnerable women. Read more
Ethiopia Raises ETB 111B as T-Bill Demand Surges
Ethiopia’s Treasury Bill (T-Bill) market showed strong performance in July–August 2025, raising ETB 111.1B, exceeding the ETB 103.4B target. Investor interest was robust, with 28-day T-Bills oversubscribed at 685%. The market is dominated by institutional players: CBE (45.3%) and pension funds (32.5%), together controlling nearly 80% of T-Bills. Read more
Mamo Mihretu Resigns as Central Bank Governor
After 2.5 years, Mamo Mihretu stepped down from the National Bank of Ethiopia. His tenure saw the introduction of interest-rate-based monetary policy, birr floating, and foreign investment liberalization, alongside the launch of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. Inflation fell from 34% (2022) to 13.9% (2025), and forex reserves tripled. However, challenges remain, including the parallel FX market and rising living costs. Read more
Introduction to Capital Market Course
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Energy & Infrastructure
Sweat, Sacrifice, and Megawatts: Ethiopia’s Giant Dam
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is complete, with 5,150 MW capacity—Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. Over 91% of financing came from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, supplemented by diaspora bonds, public gifts, and grassroots contributions. Expected to generate 15.7 TWh annually, the dam strengthens Ethiopia’s industrial growth, rural electrification, and export potential. Beyond energy, GERD represents national sovereignty, resilience, and regional geopolitical leverage. Read more
Ethiopia’s GERD Completed with 91% Financing from CBE
The final touches on the GERD have raised national electricity coverage to 54%. The project, financed mostly by CBE, with additional funding from bond sales and diaspora contributions, symbolizes Ethiopia’s collective effort and ambition in energy self-sufficiency. Read more
Banking & Diaspora Finance
CBE Pitches 50 Billion Birr Plan to Diaspora in Dubai
CBE President Ato Abe Sano arrived in Dubai to offer a 50 billion birr loan package for diaspora investment, housing, and personal finance. Talks included improving legal remittance channels and digital transfer solutions via Al-Ansari Exchange. The initiative also features incentive-based savings and low-interest loans, highlighting the diaspora as a strategic partner in Ethiopia’s economic growth. Read more
Dashen Bank Launches Digital Remittance Platform
Dashen Bank unveiled a digital remittance platform integrated with ET Switch, enabling real-time transfers to 30+ domestic banks with 100% upfront forex. The platform includes GiftEthiopia.com, allowing diaspora users to send money or purchase goods directly. This move aims to compete with informal channels, offering convenience, transparency, and lower fees. Read more
Stockmarket.et Insights
Interbank trade, the short-term lending and borrowing between commercial banks, has now become an active feature on Ethiopia’s Securities Exchange (ESX). It serves as a key tool for liquidity management and reflects broader monetary conditions.
Beginning June 30, the ESX has recorded ETB 944.9 billion in total volume across 337 trades, with a weighted average interest rate of 12.79%. Rates fluctuated, with a maximum increase of +2.8% and a minimum decrease of -1.89%, showing shifts in liquidity demand and supply.
This performance underscores the growing role of ESX in facilitating efficient interbank transactions and setting clearer benchmarks for the financial system.
For more details, check out our data hub: https://data.stockmarket.et/directory/inter-bank
Capital Markets
Ethio Telecom IPO Shares Finally Confirmed
After months of delay, Ethio Telecom has confirmed IPO share allotments to over 47,000 investors, marking a historic step for Ethiopia’s capital market. The long-awaited confirmations restore trust in the system and pave the way for secondary market trading on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). Read more
Business & Investment
EIH Reports 88% Profit Growth, Targets ETB 2.75T Revenue
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) announced ETB 2.05T revenue in 2017, with profit before tax rising 88% to ETB 262.7B. Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio Telecom (+15% internet users), and CBE (+310% deposits) were key performers. For 2018, EIH aims for ETB 2.75T revenue and ETB 412B profit, consolidating gains across its subsidiaries. Read more
Politics & Regional Affairs
Ex-Somaliland Leader Explains Ethiopia Sea Access Deal Collapse
Former Somaliland president Muse Bihi acknowledged the 2024 Ethiopia sea access deal collapsed under regional and international pressure, including Somalia, the AU, the Arab League, and the OIC. Ethiopia “failed to move it forward,” he admitted, reflecting the complexities of regional diplomacy. 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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Stay curious, stay caffeinated, — Written by the StockMarket.et Newsroom
