USAID, Awash Join Hands to Fund Microfinance

Awash Bank has been a USAID partner on previous financing projects, which were accomplished without defaults.


USAID, Awash Join Hands to Fund Microfinance

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Awash Bank S.C. have announced a 6.4-million-dollar partnership to provide funding to microfinance institutions and small and medium-size agribusinesses in Ethiopia. Under the USAID Development Credit Authority (DCA) agreement, the programme targets expanding commercial bank lending into underserved areas. It also aims to provide private capital to help farmers and businesses intensify production and support Ethiopia’s efforts to modernise the agricultural sector. “We can accelerate economic growth at a macro level while creating a ripple effect that benefits farmers and their families at the same time,” said Sonila Hysi, deputy mission director at the USAID. The current engagement with USAID strengthens the Bank’s ability to provide loans to Ethiopian private microfinance institutions and small and medium-size enterprises operating in the agriculture sector, said Awash Bank’s CEO, Tsehay Shiferaw. Awash Bank has been a USAID partner on previous financing projects, which were accomplished without defaults.


Radar

Amendment Expands Access for Foreign Traders

Foreign participation in Ethiopia's wholesale, retail, import, and export trade sectors has come under renewed focus as the Ethiopian Investment Board(EIB) approved a significant amendment to Directive No. 1001/2016  in its meeting on May 23, 2025. The amendment, proposed by the Ethiopian Investment Commission(EIC), focuses on refining the legal framework governing foreign investment in these sectors. The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's appeal as an investment...


Radar

NBE Sets Four Percent Ceiling on Foreign Exchange Fees

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a new foreign exchange market directive on May 20, 2025, that caps commercial banks' forex service fees at a maximum of four percent. Banks are instructed to adapt competitive, transparent, and streamlined pricing for all forex-related services. Effective May 26, 2025, total charges for purchasing foreign exchange whether for imports, service payments, or cash note purchases must not exceed the newly set limit. The directive also prohibits banks f...


Radar

SantimPay Launches Zero-fee Digital Remittance Platform

SantimPay has rolled out FrankRemit, first fully integrated, zero-fee digital remittance platform, in partnership with Bank of Abyssinia(BOA). The service smoothly connects all commercial banks and major mobile money providers, including Telebirr, M-Pesa, and CBE Birr which is a first of its kind in the country. FrankRemit is expected to revolutionise how the Ethiopian diaspora sends money home. Developed locally and tested over the past two weeks with successful transfers from multiple count...