State-owned Interest-Free Banking Marks a Decade


State-owned Interest-Free Banking Marks a Decade

An interest-free banking service provided by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. CBE Noor amassed 98 billion Br in deposits, with a network of 1,934 branches nationwide and approximately 6.4 million customers. Globally, the interest-free banking sector possesses an asset size of four trillion dollars. Executives disclosed that CBE Noor has contributed significantly to this scale, experiencing an average 126pc annual growth rate from deposit and investment accounts, financing and lending services, guaranteeing services, international trade support, money transfer, foreign exchange, and digital banking services. Yasmin Wahrebi, the deputy CEO of Ethiopian Investment Holding Group, emphasised that over 20 banks offer interest-free banking services, while four are full-fledged Islamic banks.

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State-Owned Enterprises Deliver, But Fund Seeks More from Underperformers

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country's sovereign wealth fund, closed its annual performance review with a mix of strong gains and lingering concerns across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises. Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics led the year with 4.5 million tons of cargo, driving revenues up 90pc and doubling pre-tax profit. Sugar production from Wonji Shoa, Metehara, and Fincha climbed 34.8pc to 163,290 tons, nearly doubling revenues to 15.6 billion Br, though EIH flagged ch...


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MIDROC Cocoa Drive, Local Production Focus on Value Addition

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Bureau Maps Out 1,700 Land Rights in a Month

The Rights Registration & Holding Service Directorate under the Bureau of Land Development & Administration prepared over 1,700 landholding certification maps in a single month. The update came during the bureau's July performance review, which measured progress against the upcoming fiscal year's targets. Director Tesfamichael Endale said efforts are being scaled up to give farmers secure land rights and quicker certification. Deputy Head WendwossenBanjaw added that the priority ahead...