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.
Fintech & Digital Payments
ArifPay Acquires Majority Stake in Jami
ArifPay has acquired a majority stake in Ethiopia’s digital tipping platform Jami for 16 million Birr, valuing the company at 20 million Birr. Founder Nathan Damtew will remain CEO as Jami scales under the newly formed Jami Technologies PLC. The deal strengthens ArifPay’s expansion strategy, giving it a social-payments layer while enabling Jami to leverage ArifPay’s payment infrastructure to grow digital tipping for creators and everyday services. Source: Shega
CBE, CNET Launch Direct Mobile Banking–POS Payments
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and CNET have launched Ethiopia’s first direct integration between CBE Mobile Banking and POS terminals. Customers can now pay via the CBE app by scanning a dynamic QR code and receive instant confirmation. The initiative supports Ethiopia’s growing digital payments ecosystem as POS usage expands under national digital finance strategies.
EthSwitch Launches EthioPay for Nationwide Digital Payments
EthSwitch has unveiled EthioPay, a national brand designed to unify Ethiopia’s fragmented digital payment systems. The platform enables interoperable, instant, and secure payments across mobile banking, e-commerce, and card networks. EthioPay will not replace banks or mobile money providers but connect them under a single national payment layer, supporting domestic and future cross-border transactions. Read more
Ethiopost and EthSwitch Partner on Agent Banking
Ethiopost and EthSwitch S.C. have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop an Agent Network Management Application. The tool aims to improve the efficiency, reach, and coordination of agent-based financial services nationwide, enhancing Ethiopost’s three-year strategic plan. Read more
Partner Content
Inside PiSpace: Rethinking Problem-Solving in the AI Era
PiSpace is redefining problem-solving for the AI age, combining creativity, systems thinking, and forward-looking solutions. Its innovations include:
- Energy Management System: Integrates multiple energy sources for optimized consumption and predictive decision-making.
- Simplified Solar Design: Simplifies solar installation planning for fast, scalable deployment.
- Financial Infrastructure & Korrma: Prepares users for Ethiopia’s emerging capital market through data-rich platforms and demo trading. Co-founder Abebe Sendek emphasizes: “We are entitled to solve problems, nothing else, nothing more.” Read more
Banking & Capital Markets
Awash Capital S.A. Launches as Ethiopia’s Fourth Investment Bank
Awash Capital S.A., a subsidiary of Awash Bank with 200 million Birr paid-up capital, has officially started operations as Ethiopia’s fourth licensed investment bank. The bank will provide services including corporate finance, underwriting, brokerage, market research, and ESG advisory. Its launch represents a milestone in developing Ethiopia’s capital market and expanding long-term financing options for businesses. Read more
Amhara Bank Moves Toward Share Listing
Amhara Bank has submitted a draft prospectus to the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), marking a step toward listing its shares on Ethiopia’s emerging capital market. With over 164,000 shareholders and 7.4 billion Birr in paid-up capital, the listing will allow shares to trade in a regulated market and enhance transparency and corporate governance. Source: Capital Ethiopia
LIWAY Disburses 180M Birr to Small Businesses
The SNV-led LIWAY project has disbursed over 180 million Birr to more than 4,000 micro and small enterprises across Ethiopia using alternative, cash-flow–based financing models. The initiative targets 400,000 beneficiaries by 2028, easing collateral constraints and expanding formal financial inclusion, particularly for youth and women-led businesses.
First Blended Finance Partnership for Conflict-Affected Areas Launched
First Consult Africa (FC Africa) signed Ethiopia’s first blended finance partnership for MSMEs in conflict-affected regions. Through Lion International Bank’s Alegnta platform, an uncollateralized digital lending pilot supports businesses run by returnees, IDPs, and host communities in Mekelle and Abala. Funded under the ER-CAP Programme, the initiative combines private lending, risk mitigation, and technical assistance. If successful, it could be scaled to other fragile regions. Read more
Stockmarket.et Insights
Ethiopia’s Government Securities Auctions at a Glance123 auctions conducted so far, with ETB 661.3B offered and ETB 813.2B in bids received.That’s a 90.2% success rate, clear evidence that investor demand continues to outpace supply.
Explore more in our data hub: https://data.stockmarket.et/directory/treasury-bills
Macroeconomics & Trade
Inflation Slows to 10.9% in November
Ethiopia’s year-on-year inflation eased to 10.9% in November, down from 16.9% a year earlier, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service. Month-on-month prices fell 1.4%, mainly due to declines in bread and cereals, despite increases in oils, meat, and dairy. Non-food inflation moderated to 11.4%, while the National Bank of Ethiopia maintained its 15% policy rate, reaffirming its medium-term goal of returning inflation to single digits.
Birr Settles at 154.77 as NBE Concludes FX Auction No. 12
The National Bank of Ethiopia’s 12th foreign exchange auction closed with a weighted average rate of 154.77 Birr per USD, with 13 commercial banks securing FX allocations. The next auction is scheduled in two weeks, supporting FX market stability and liquidity.
Africa’s Coffee Exports Hit Record High
African coffee exports reached 1.18 million tons in 2024/25, led by Ethiopia and Uganda, which accounted for nearly 80% of shipments. Ethiopia’s exports rose 27.3%, while Uganda’s jumped 29.6%, fueled by strong harvests, reforms, and high global prices. Africa now represents 11.6% of global coffee exports, with ambitions to reach 20% by 2030 as countries like Tanzania and Kenya implement expansion and digitization plans.
Telecom & Industrial Development
IPDC, Ethio Telecom Partner to Link SEZ Products to Local Markets
IPDC and Ethio Telecom signed an agreement to connect Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and industrial park products with domestic consumers via Zemen GEBEYA, Ethio Telecom’s digital marketplace. The partnership supports Digital Ethiopia 2030 by enabling SEZ manufacturers to showcase export-standard goods nationwide and strengthen market linkages. IPDC oversees 11 SEZs and 3 industrial parks with over 200 manufacturers.
Regulation & Policy
Ethiopia Revokes Licenses of All Sports Betting Companies
Ethiopia has revoked licenses for all sports betting companies, ordering immediate suspension of all betting activities nationwide. The decision follows a review exposing illegal practices, licensing violations, and illicit financial flows. Banks and payment providers have been instructed to block betting-related transactions, with strict legal enforcement for non-compliance. Read more
People & Recognition
Dr. Brook Taye Named Among Africa’s Most Influential Africans
Dr. Brook Taye, CEO of Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), has been recognized by New African Magazine as one of Africa’s Most Influential Africans in 2025. Under his leadership, EIH has transformed state assets in logistics, real estate, telecoms, and agriculture into productive, transparent, and investor-friendly ventures, balancing private-sector participation with public accountability. 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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