Wegagen Bank Unveils Global Prepaid Visa Card

Aug 25 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

Customers of Wegagen Bank are set to make cashless payments globally at ATMs and point-of-sale (POS) terminals, as the Bank introduces an international prepaid Visa card. Yared Endale, country manager of Visa Inc., underscored the Visa card's role in expanding access to international financial services and promoting economic inclusion. Officials from Tigray Regional State, and executives from VISA Inc. and Wegagen Bank unveiled the new service in Meqelle City last week. Solomon Tesfaye, deputy CEO of Technology at Wegagen Bank, emphasised the card's value in facilitating online e-commerce transactions and providing a convenient alternative for sending money from abroad. Established in 1997, Wegagen Bank has experienced substantial growth, with total assets reaching 53.49 billion Br in the 2022/23 fiscal year. Its paid-up capital and net profit also saw increases during this period. VISA Inc. recently teamed with Ethio Telecom to launch a wallet-based virtual Visa card called 'Telebirr Remit'. This service aims to enhance international money transfer remittance services using a Telebirr virtual card number.


Radar

NBE Expands Diaspora Warning Over Unlicensed Remittance Firms

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has issued an expanded public warning targeting unlicensed remittance operators abroad, flagging four U.S.-based companies it says are undermining Ethiopia's financial regulations. The warning includes newly disclosed findings and specific cases that underscore growing concerns about illicit cross-border financial activity. Remittance flows remain a vital lifeline for Ethiopia's economy, supporting households and supplying critical foreign currency. But as...


Radar

Stricter Standards Unveiled for Public Auditors, Accounting Firms

The Accounting & Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE) has issued a new directive aimed at strengthening oversight and professional standards in the accounting and auditing sector. Grounded in the Financial Reporting Proclamation, the directive addresses long-standing regulatory gaps while preparing the sector for the country's emerging capital market. Key provisions introduce stricter licensing standards for public auditors, professionals permitted to audit public interest entities. Applican...


Radar

Export Recovery Gains Ground, Industry Still Lags Potential

The Ministry of Industry (MoI) has reported a modest rebound in Ethiopia's manufacturing exports, with revenues climbing eight percent in the 2025 fiscal year to reach 318 million dollars. Minister Melaku Alebel attributed the growth to a gradual sectoral recovery but acknowledged the figures remain well below the country's industrial potential. Speaking at a forum held with 60 top-performing manufacturers, Melaku said the ministry is working to unlock bottlenecks and improve coordination. Th...