Awash Opens Three Full-fledged IFB Branches

Jan 18 , 2020


Awash Bank has opened three new full-fledged interest-free banking branches, pushing the total number to four. Bole Michael, Sebategna and Berbere Tera are the new branches that will offer exclusively interest-free banking services. The Bank opened its first full-fledged interest-free banking service in Bethel, Addis Abeba in November 2019. Awash named the interest-free banking service 'Ikhlas', which is roughly translated as "sincerity, purity or isolation." The Bank, which has about 180,000 IFB customers, has mobilised 3.3 billion Br in deposits through the service. The Bank has been providing interest-free banking services through a separate window at all of its 430 branches. Plans have also been mapped out to open more branches in Nekemt, Jimma, Shashemene, Bale Robe, JiJiga, Adama, Dire Dawa, Harar, Halaba and Deli.


Radar

Sovereign Fund Reviews Mid-Year Performance of Line Companies, Calls for Strategic Improvements

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) launched its mid-year performance review for its portfolio companies, displaying mixed results for the first half of the fiscal year. Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG) reached 95.3pc of its sales goal, selling 64,190tn of sugar for 6.1 billion Br—a 132pc year-on-year growth—despite capacity and supply issues. The Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) met 92pc and 97pc of its purchase and sales targets, respectively, stating it has benefitt...


Radar

Digital Pay Uptake Booms Among SMEs, Visa Study Finds

Over 80pc of surveyed small- and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have started accepting digital payments in the last two years, according to a new Visa report titled, ‘Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Ethiopia'. Citing increased convenience, the report indicates reduced fraud risk and improved efficiency as factors in the uptake. A substantial 66pc of these SMEs believe that investing in digital payment technologies will support future business growth. The...


Radar

ILO Tackles Agricultural Wage Gap

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Setting Adequate Wages in Agriculture (SAW-A) Project last week, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ), seeking to promote fair wage policies, enhance collective bargaining, and support the establishment of minimum wage mechanisms to improve the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The sector employs over 80pc of Ethiopia's workforce, making it the country's largest employment sec...