CBE's Ex VP Takes Helm as President of Nib Bank, Marking a Milestone for Banking Industry

May 11 , 2024

  Emebet Melese (PhD), former vice president of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), has recently taken on the role of president at Nib Bank, succeeding Genene Ruga, who resigned several months ago. Her appointment is a notable step towards gender diversity in executive leadership within the banking industry, making her the second woman currently holding a CEO position in a commercial bank. Melkamu Solomon had been overseeing the bank's operations on an interim basis until Emebet's appointment was officially approved by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) last week. Emebet brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, having served as the vice president of the strategic planning and transformation office at CBE. During her tenure, she led initiatives aimed at promoting organisational change and advancement. Starting in 2018 as the VP of Credit Appraisal at CBE, she progressively took on diverse leadership roles, including VP of Corporate Quality Assurance. Her leadership was instrumental in driving the ongoing transformation of CBE. With an academic background in accounting and finance from Addis Abeba University, Emebet's dissertation focused on the role of organisational climate and market orientation on innovation within the banking industry. Following growing concerns about corporate governance and shareholder grievances, Nib's transformation began with the establishment of a new Board of Directors, overseen by regulators at the NBE three months ago. Regulatory intervention paved the way for changes during the general assembly, electing Shisema Shewaneka as the new chairperson. Married and a mother of three, Emebet steps into her new role at Nib Bank during a critical period. She is now tasked with the responsibility of restoring Nib Bank's public image and rebuilding trust in leadership among customers and shareholders. "I'm committed and hopeful," Emebet told Fortune.