Banking Industry Allows Diaspora Investors

Aug 3 , 2019


Lawmakers legislated a proclamation that allows Ethiopian natives of foreign nationalities to invest in the banking sector. The bill was legislated last week during the emergency parliamentary session that was called after members of parliament went on recess. Beyond buying shares in banks, the new law will enable the Ethiopian diaspora to form new banks, including full-fledged interest-free banks. Two years ago, the central bank ordered all private banks and insurers to return the share certificates of foreign shareholders and auction off the shares for public subscription. The Central Bank also stated that the amount of money offered above par value has to go to the national treasury. Since then, all of the banks and insurance companies have auctioned off the shares owned by Ethiopian-born diaspora.


Radar

Parliament Nods for Cabinet Appointments

Federal legislators have approved five cabinet-level positions last week with a member of Parliament (MP) voted against and two abstentions were counted. Gedion Timotheos (PhD) leads the charge as the new minister of Foreign Affairs, filling in Taye Asqeselassie's shoes, where he stayed briefly before becoming the country's president. With law degrees from Addis Abeba and Central European universities, Gedion was previously Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Joining him in the redev...


Radar

Abyssinia Group Eyes Expansion with IFC Funding

Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI), a leading East African steel producer, is poised for significant expansion owing to a proposed investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is considering a financing package of up to 50 million dollars, including parallel loans in local currency. Headquartered in Kenya, AGI operates two steel plants in Ethiopia, six in Kenya, and has mining activities in Uganda. AGI currently produces 660,000 metric tons of steel annually and employs...


Radar

Fitch Acknowledges Easing Financial Pressures, Enhanced Macroeconomic Stability

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ethiopia's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (LTLC IDR) to 'CCC+' from 'CCC-', citing easing financing pressures, improved macroeconomic stability, and increased confidence that local-currency obligations will not be part of the ongoing debt restructuring. This positive development comes as the government implements key reforms and secures renewed concessional external financing. The ratings agency has taken note of the introduction of a market-based ex...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email