Central Bank Allows Microfinance Institutions to Evolve into Banks

Aug 22 , 2020


The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), in a directive issued last week, has allowed microfinance institutions to upgrade into full-fledged banks. The directive lays out the criteria for which microfinance institutions are eligible for this transition. Accordingly, microfinance institutions with a strong financial footing and with regional governments or city administrations as shareholders, which accounts for more than 70pc of the industry, are deemed qualified. It also states that institutions will have a period of two years to finalise their transition into banks. However, a transitioned microfinance institution, while performing the regular services of a bank, must not neglect the main aim of its establishment, according to Yinager Dessie (PhD), governor of the central bank. The institutions must continue to serve and provide loans to the small and medium enterprises and the low-income individuals they were established to serve. Currently, there are 38 microfinance institutions in the country, accounting for 41.6 billion Br in mobilised savings deposits.


Radar

Abyssinia Bank Strategic Moves Pay Off, Driving Profit Growth

The Bank of Abyssinia (BoA) enjoyed another profitable year, amassing 4.23 billion Br net profits, an increase of 10.5pc from last year. The Bank announced total assets of 222.3 billion Br, surging by 17.3pc. Total deposits mobilised through the year climbed by 33.97 billion Br to 192.51 billion Br, while loans and advances reached 167.7 billion Br. However, the bank exhibited a nominal decline in its foreign currency earnings totalling 424 million dollars. Earnings per share also showed a ma...


Radar

$100m Project Mulls Public Transportation Make-Over

A 100-million-dollar project aims to manufacture over 5,000 diesel-powered and electric public transport vehicles for the capital. The proposed project was launched hoping to replace the ageing vehicles and improve safety, efficiency and quality across the city's urban transport system. Last week saw an MoU inked between executives of Multiverse Enterprise Plc and Addis Abeba Minibus Associations and was held at Vamdas Entertainment near Megenagna. The agreement includes plans to replace 15,000...


Radar

Safaricom Soars with 6.1 million Customers

Safaricom Ethiopia reported significant commercial growth in the first six months of the 2025 fiscal year (April to September 2024), with notable increases in both mobile (GSM) and M-PESA services. The company's network and services reached a population coverage of 46pc, growing from 30pc in the previous year. This expansion was supported by the addition of over 1,000 network sites, bringing the total to more than 3,000 across the country. Safaricom Ethiopia saw a surge in its customer base,...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email