Awash International Bank (AIB) has launched a program its senior executives christened as a “bridge” reaching out to the underserved segment of the market through microfinance institutions. It has made 5.5 billion Br available in credit for small enterprises and farmers to be disbursed through the microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the coming three years.

Managers of nine microfinance institutions have entered into deals to borrow from Awash Bank at a 13pc lending interest rate.

“Clean loan records, capital flow, and repayment capacity are the criteria we require,” said Tsehay Shiferaw, president of Awash Bank.

Awash Bank is not a pioneer in courting microfinance institutions to reach out to the underserved segment in the market. Dashen and Enat banks have previously offered similar loan products to micro and small enterprises that could not produce assets for collateral. Two years ago, Dashen Bank availed five billion Birr in credit to medium-sized enterprises where borrowers were required to raise half of the project cost. Enat Bank partnered last year with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Mercy Corps to avail 20 million dollars in credit to vulnerable women that do not have collateral.

Tsehay says Awash has disbursed 1.5 billion Br to the microfinance institutions through the “Bridges” programme, a five-year initiative launched by Mastercard Foundation in 2019. The programme looks to support up to 10 million people, providing credit through financial institutions until 2030. The Foundation has made 300 million dollars available to help the programme implemented by First Consult, a local consulting firm incorporated in 2005.

“We’re working with over 20 MFIs to expand access to financing,” said Henok Tenna, programme team leader at First Consult.

Last year, the banking industry disbursed 329 billion Br in loans, 21pc higher than the preceding year. The state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) accounted for a little over a third of the credit provided. The primary beneficiaries were close to 300,000 medium and large enterprises and individuals with high loan needs. Only less than five percent of small firms in Ethiopia enjoy access to credit.

Commercial banks do not have little appetite for lending without collateral. The value of the collateral decides if - or how much - can be borrowed. On average, banks demand collateral equivalent to 234pc of their approved loans.

However, five million people, mainly in rural areas, are served by 41 microfinance institutions. They had mobilised 52.5 billion Br in deposits by the end of last year, disbursing 69.3 billion Br in loans in the same period.

Wasasa Microfinance is among these that have partnered with Awash International Bank to expand its loan operations. Established 20 years ago with a paid-up capital of 200,000 Br, Wasasa operates 76 branches, mainly in the Oromia Regional State. Last year, it mobilised 450 million Br in savings and advanced 1.2 billion Br in credit. Wasasa sourced the additional fund by borrowing from banks, including the Cooperative Bank of Oromia (CBO).

Awash Bank had made 200 million Br in credit to Wasasa through the Bridges programme.

Wasasa thoroughly assesses the viability of projects before disbursing loans to individuals or groups, says Amsalu Alemayehu, chief executive officer (CEO).