AfDB Country Director Meets Finance Minister


AfDB Country Director Meets Finance Minister

The newly appointed African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Director for Ethiopia met with Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide last week, signing a one million dollar Grant Agreement to support communities affected by recent floods and landslides. Ahmed emphasised the crucial role the AfDB has played in supporting Ethiopia's development efforts, particularly in the infrastructure sector. He stressed the government's need for continued assistance from the Bank to advance its reform agenda. Leandre Bassole (PhD) acknowledged Ethiopia's progress and reaffirmed the AfDB's long-standing commitment to supporting the country's development. He assured the Minister of the Bank's dedication to exploring new financing opportunities and strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia. Bassole came after a serious diplomatic matter where two international staff of the Bank Group based in  Ethiopia were severely assaulted by security agents six months ago was resolved.


Radar

Electricity Bills Get the VAT Jolt

The new Value Added Tax (VAT) has begun implementation on electricity consumption and various service fees affecting customers who use more than 200 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Based on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, the tax will be applied to the excess amount of electricity consumption above 200 kilowatt hours. The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) began implementing the VAT on bills starting from November though both prepaid and postpaid customers will have to pay V...


Radar

Gadaa Bank Expands Reach, Faces Lending Constraints

Gadaa Bank closed its first full fiscal year of operations with a net profit of 90.2 million Br. The 18-month-old Bank held its annual general assembly at Millenium Hall on Africa Avenue last week where the board announced that during the year, the Bank opened 15 branches and now has 85 operational branches. “Due to recently enacted policy measures on credit by NBE and unmet resource mobilization during the fiscal year, the Bank was unable to make loan disbursements,” stated Wolde...


Radar

Oromia Bank's Branch Expansion Weighs on Profits

Oromia Bank reported a 47pc decline in net profit to take in 840.9 million Br for the past fiscal year. Interest income grew by 21pc to reach 7.19 billion Br while personnel expense grew by 36pc to hit 3.16 billion Br. The opening of 72 new branches, bringing the total to 575, led to a four percent growth of deposits to 56.4 billion Br. The profits are “unsatisfactory against our ambitious moves,” said Assefa Seme (PhD), board chairperson. “The deviation is primarily attributed to our aggr...