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Awash Bank Launches Digital Lending Platform

Nov 8 , 2025

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Awash Bank has rolled out Mesmer Digital Lending, a new platform offering loan services to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a digital application. Developed in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation and First Consult, the initiative builds on the MESMER program, which has provided financial support and business training to thousands of SMEs over the past three years. The new digital system allows enterprises to access credit via the Awash Birr Pro app or by dialing *901#. Since the program's inception, over 66,000 SMEs have applied for financing, with more than 13,000 receiving a combined 1.3 billion Br in loans. Women entrepreneurs account for 32pc of beneficiaries. To enhance efficiency, 1,276 loan officers have been deployed to support applicants, strengthening the bank's role in expanding SME financing nationwide.

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Addis Ababa Enterprises Tap 3.8b Br in Loans

More than 16,000 enterprises benefited from market linkages worth over 20 billion Br generated by Addis Abeba's Enterprise & Technology Development sector during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Financing support reached nearly 8,000 enterprises, which accessed more than 3.8 billion Br in loans. Enterprises also generated six billion Birr in savings. More than 14,000 enterprises received industrial extension and technology support. The sector replicated and transferred 241 of the 295 problem...

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Zambia Airways Taps Aman Wole for Growth Drive

Zambia Airways has appointed Aman Wole Gurmu as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing in an Ethiopian Airlines executive with more than 19 years of experience in airline leadership, commercial strategy, sales, market development and strategic partnerships. Aman held several senior positions at Ethiopian Airlines, including Regional Director for Mainland China and Mongolia, Regional Director for France and the Maghreb, Area Manager for Zambia and Director of Sales in Addis Abeba. The Zamb...

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Grade 11 Takes On 11 Vocational Programs

Grade 11 students will begin work- and practice-based vocational training in the 2026/27 academic year under a new initiative covering 11 fields. The programmes span building electrical installation, plumbing, metal technology, automotive technology, garment technology, hotel services, hair and beauty services, food preparation, software development, crop production and healthcare services. They are designed to provide practical skills and knowledge relevant to employment and career opportuni...

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