Berhan Bank Cuts Lending Interest Rates

May 23 , 2020


Berhan Bank has cut interest rates ranging between 0.5 to four percentage points as of May 18, 2020, to mitigate the financial impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The adjustment of the interest rates is for the agriculture, manufacturing, export, building and construction sectors. The most impacted industries have received the largest cuts. Accordingly, the horticulture industry and exporters of fruits and vegetables have received a four-percentage-point cut, while the hotel and tourism sector will get a 3.5-percentage-point cut. In addition to this, the sectors will also have a grace period on principal and interest loan payments for a period of six months starting May 18, 2020. The industries are also eligible for loan rescheduling privileges. The Bank is expected to lose 100 million Br as a result of the cuts it has made. Previously, Berhan Bank waived commission fees for loan extensions, letters of credit (LC) and additional interest rates, while also preparing 35 water tanks for washing stations across Addis Abeba and other regions.


Radar

Tech Ministry Falters as Audits Expose Mismanagement, Unmet Ambitions

The Ministry of Innovation & Technology is under scrutiny after an audit revealed lapses in project management and financial oversight. This raised questions about governance standards within a Ministry central to the country's tech-driven growth ambitions. According to the Federal Auditor General, the Ministry has completed only 11pc of its planned projects with its overall financial administration standing at 37.4pc for a year-long project that commenced in 2022. Budget mismanagement an...


Radar

Central Bank Keeps Lending Lid Tight as Inflation Squeezes Economy

The Central Bank has reaffirmed its decision to maintain an 18pc cap on credit growth, reinforcing a commitment to tighter monetary policy during persistent inflation and economic uncertainty. The National Bank of Ethiopia's (NBE) monetary policy committee cited ongoing concerns over inflation, which stood at 19.9pc year-on-year (YoY), and liquidity imbalances as reasons to uphold the restriction on lending. Bankers and analysts interpret this move as evidence of regulators' determination to...


Radar

Ethio Telecom Expands Services with DStv Streaming

Ethio telecom enters the entertainment pool with bundled DStv streaming services through high-speed broadband internet and mobile data packages. The partnership with MultiChoice Ethiopia aspires to merge the telecom's fiber broadband and mobile network with DStv's content. Subscribers can access DStv channels through mobile data or fiber broadband bundles, with discounts of up to 35pc through Telebirr or My Ethiotel (*999#) and up to 26.5pc at sales centers for fiber broadband bundles. Acc...