Zemen Bank Expands Reach with Dutch Businesses Partnership

Aug 25 , 2024


Zemen Bank expands its network with over 75 Dutch businesses operating in Ethiopia, signing an associate membership agreement with their lobby group last week. According to Asrat Tadesse, from Zemen Bank, the partnership is expected to prop Ethiopian Netherlands Business Association members with innovative financial products while expanding the reach of the institution. He noted Zemen's successful alliances with both domestic and international companies in horticulture, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. Founded in 2013 under the auspices of the Dutch Embassy, the Association represents over 75 Dutch businesses operating in Ethiopia, including 17 flower exporters. The agreement was signed with Hayo Hamster, board chairman of the Association, at the Bank's headquarters on Ras Abebe Aregay St. Zemen Bank has solidified its presence in the financial industry since 2008 with strong performance. During the 2022/23 fiscal year, the Bank's capital and non-distributable reserves increased by 37.4pc to 7.13 billion Br, while its profit grew by 22.3pc to 1.81 billion Br. Zemen's loan and deposit portfolios have also expanded with total loans and advances reaching 31.39 billion Br, representing a growth of 48.6pc, while total deposits increased by 38pc to 37 billion Br.


Radar

Tech Ministry Falters as Audits Expose Mismanagement, Unmet Ambitions

The Ministry of Innovation & Technology is under scrutiny after an audit revealed lapses in project management and financial oversight. This raised questions about governance standards within a Ministry central to the country's tech-driven growth ambitions. According to the Federal Auditor General, the Ministry has completed only 11pc of its planned projects with its overall financial administration standing at 37.4pc for a year-long project that commenced in 2022. Budget mismanagement an...


Radar

Central Bank Keeps Lending Lid Tight as Inflation Squeezes Economy

The Central Bank has reaffirmed its decision to maintain an 18pc cap on credit growth, reinforcing a commitment to tighter monetary policy during persistent inflation and economic uncertainty. The National Bank of Ethiopia's (NBE) monetary policy committee cited ongoing concerns over inflation, which stood at 19.9pc year-on-year (YoY), and liquidity imbalances as reasons to uphold the restriction on lending. Bankers and analysts interpret this move as evidence of regulators' determination to...


Radar

Ethio Telecom Expands Services with DStv Streaming

Ethio telecom enters the entertainment pool with bundled DStv streaming services through high-speed broadband internet and mobile data packages. The partnership with MultiChoice Ethiopia aspires to merge the telecom's fiber broadband and mobile network with DStv's content. Subscribers can access DStv channels through mobile data or fiber broadband bundles, with discounts of up to 35pc through Telebirr or My Ethiotel (*999#) and up to 26.5pc at sales centers for fiber broadband bundles. Acc...