M-Pesa Expands Into Tax Payments in Ethiopia With Amhara Deal
M-Pesa is moving deeper into Ethiopia’s public-sector payments system after signing an agreement that will allow taxpayers in the Amhara region to settle tax obligations
Ethiopia Slashes Current Account Deficit 95% to $289 Mn After FX Reform and Export Surge
Ethiopia’s shift to a market-based exchange rate in July 2024 triggered a major external adjustment. The current account deficit narrowed from $6.2 Bn to $289.3 Mn, while export earnings surged 119.2% and private remittances rose 13%. NBE foreign reserves jumped more than 209%, and the gap between official and parallel exchange rates narrowed to within 15%, shifting foreign exchange activity back into the formal banking system.
Ethiopia's Banking Sector Posts Strongest Year on Record With Double-Digit Capital Growth
Ethiopian commercial banking posted its best performance across every major indicator for the fiscal year ended June 2025, per the NBE Financial Stability Report. ▸ Net income: ETB 93.4 Bn (+61.3%), the largest profit in the sector's history ▸ NPL ratio: 3.1%, five-year low. Liquidity: 30.4%, five-year high ▸ Total assets: ETB 4.7 Tn (+44.5%), deposits: ETB 3.5 Tn (+40.7%) ▸ Banking Business Proclamation 1360/2025 opens the sector to foreign lendersEthiopia's Banks Pull Back at Foreign Exchange Auction as Exposure Limits Bind
After weeks of heavy oversubscription, demand eased at Ethiopia’s latest USD 500 million FX auction, leaving about USD 45 million unallocated. Banks took up roughly USD 455 million, as exposure limits and rising pricing risk began to cap bids despite persistent dollar shortages.Tanzania Drives Kenya Electricity Exports to Record Highs
Kenya’s electricity exports hit record highs in the final quarter of 2025, marking a structural shift in regional power trade after years of limited cross-border sales. Total exports rose from 26.13 GWh in October to 52.11 GWh in December, the highest on record. The surge was driven by rapidly rising shipments to Tanzania following the full operational ramp-up of the 400 kV Isinya–Singida interconnector, with Tanzania accounting for more than 96% of December volumes.Ethiopia's Stock Exchange Advances Six Banks Toward Listings
Ethiopia’s stock market is set for its first meaningful expansion after the Ethiopia Securities Exchange confirmed six banks have received approval in principle to list on the ESX Main Market. Awash, Dashen, Bank of Abyssinia, Abay, Anbesa, and Amhara banks are finalising securities registration with the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority and completing prospectus disclosures, the final regulatory steps before listing and the start of trading. The move signals growing momentum as Ethiopia shifts from market launch toward active capital formation ahead of the fiscal year-end.Safaricom's Market Valuation Briefly Crosses US$ 10bn
Safaricom declared a record interim dividend of KSh 0.85 after bumper profits, sending its shares to a three-year high and briefly above a US$10bn valuation.Carrefour to Enter Ethiopia in Partnership with Country's Richest Man
Carrefour has signed a franchise agreement with MIDROC Investment Group to enter the Ethiopian market. The deal involves rebranding 13 Queens Supermarket locations, with the first stores opening in the first half of 2026. The partners aim to expand the network to 30 stores by 2028. This entry follows Ethiopia’s recent liberalization of its retail sector, allowing international brands to operate via local partnerships. MIDROC CEO Jemal Ahmed stated the move will bring global standards and affordable, high-quality products to Ethiopian consumers.Ethiopia's Sovereign Wealth Fund Launches Whistleblower Platform
The Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) has launched a whistleblower platform dubbed 'Adera' to give the public a direct channel to report complaints.
M-PESA Ethiopia Raises Alarm Over Access Block on Ethio Telecom Network
M-PESA Ethiopia reported that its new telco-agnostic Lehulm app became inaccessible on smartphones using Ethio Telecom mobile data days after launch. The company says customers cannot log in or complete transactions and is engaging regulators to restore access. The issue mirrors World Bank findings that Ethiopia’s telecom market still contains structural imbalances that favour the state-owned operator.Ethiopia Licenses Awash Bank's Investment Banking Arm Amid Market Expansion
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority has granted a Capital Market Service Provider license to Awash Capital Investment Bank S.C., authorizing it to operate as an investment bank.Safaricom Ethiopia is Winning Users, Bleeding Cash, Says World Bank
The latest World Bank Ethiopia Telecom Market Assessment Report shows that Safaricom’s entry into Ethiopia has reshaped the country’s telecom market. For real time market updates and analysis, join our [...]
