Safaricom and Hibert Bank Ink Integration Deal

Aug 5 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

With the M-Pesa mobile money service near takeoff, Safaricom Ethiopia strikes a deal with Hibret Bank to integrate digital money transaction services where the 475 Bank branches function as super-agents for registration, deposit mobilisation and cash withdrawals. The deal was signed between Paul Kavavu, interim general manager of Safaricom Ethiopia and Melaku Kebede, president of Hibert Bank last week at the Bank's headquarters on Ras Abebe Aregay Street. It allows both M-Pesa agents and customers to access the services of Hibret Bank while the one million digital banking customers will also be able to transfer money from their account to the M-Pesa wallet to settle bills and top-up airtime. Paul underscored that they are keen to work with major financial sector players to offer the digital payment solution to their customers. Although he did not reveal the official date to launch the mobile money service, one of its parent companies Vodacom Group Ltd indicated that it will be before the end of September through a trading update released last week. M-Pesa has over 50 million customers across seven countries while averaging over 314 billion dollars worth of transactions a year. Melaku indicated that the mobile money operator will extend banking services to a large segment of the population without access to financial services. "We're chosen because of our technical capacity," said Melaku.


Radar

Nib international Bank Faces Heavy Hit from Forex Revaluation, Pays 348 Million Br in Penalties

Nib International Bank S.C. (NIB) has reported a significant loss of 2.9 billion Br, primarily due to extraordinary foreign exchange revaluation losses today, during its annual shareholders meeting at the Millennium Hall on Africa avenue, Airport Road. The bank faced substantial penalties amounting to 348.4 million Br. These penalties included a 251 million Br fine for liquidity shortages and a 97.4 million Br charge for violations related to Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) payments. The bank...


Radar

Railway Network Upgrade Positioned as Engine of Economic Transformation

The National Railway Business Summit took place at Skylight Hotel on October 21, 2025, signalling a historic step in modernising its railway network as a foundation for national development and regional connectivity. Government officials, industry leaders, investors, and experts from around the world convened to discuss infrastructure expansion, financing models, and technology adoption. Asma Redi, chief portfolio director at Ethiopian Investment Holdings, noted that the Ethiopian Railways Co...


Radar

Gold Prices Ease After Recent Surge

The price of gold, which surged sharply in recent weeks, has started to decline in the current selling market. Over the past 15 days, 21-carat gold has traded between 24,000 and 25,000 Br per gram for imported products and around 21,000 Br for local gold. Imported 18-carat gold sold for 21,000 Br, while local 18-carat pieces were priced at 19,000 Br. Traders note that the recent increase was twice as high as typical fluctuations, attributing the spike to export patterns from Arab countries. ...