FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS ADVERTORIALS FORTUNE AUDIO Fortune Careers TRADE AFRICA Election 2026 New TIME REMAINING UNTIL ETHIOPIA’S NATIONAL ELECTION 0Days 0Hours 0Minutes 0Seconds




Continental Free Trade Area to Go Active in July

May 4 , 2019


[ssba-buttons]

The African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, will officially enter into force in July. It is expected to start during the next Extra-Ordinary Heads of State and Government summit slated for July 7, 2019 in Niamey, Niger. Ethiopia is one of the signatories of the agreement with South Africa and Egypt; while Nigeria, which has Africa’s biggest economy, has not ratified the convention yet. The Agreement is expected to create a market for over one billion people with a GDP of approximately 2.6 trillion dollars. The African ministers of Trade are also scheduled to meet in Kampala, Uganda in the first week of June to review work on the supporting instruments ahead of the summit.


Radar

Customs Authorities Intercept Major Alleged Contraband Shipment Worth 422 Million Br

The Customs Commission seized alleged contraband goods worth more than 422 million Br during inspections conducted between June 25 and June 30, 2026. The haul included clothing, electronics, ammunition, construction materials, coffee, vehicle spare parts, cosmetics, khat, narcotics, minerals, livestock and foreign currency. The Addis Abeba Airport, Moyale and Awash customs branches recorded the largest seizures, valued at 115 million Br, 93 million Br and 61 million Br, respectively. Authorit...


Radar

Hijira Bank Posts Record Growth as Assets Reach 31.45 Billion Br

Hijira Bank posted 3.55 billion Br in income in 2025/26, exceeding its combined earnings over the previous four years, while gross profit reached 1.9 billion Br. Assets rose 115pc to 31.45 billion Br, deposits doubled to 24 billion Br, and capital increased 202pc to 7.45 billion Br. Digital transaction value surged 86pc to 41.72 billion Br, foreign currency earnings reached 158 million dollars, and total banking transactions hit 615.39 billion Br. The bank also disbursed 1.5 billion Br in col...


Radar

Gadaa Bank Offers One Million Shares to Public Investors

Gadaa Bank has offered one million shares to the public at 1,050 Br per share following approval from the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) on June 22, 2026. The share sale keeks to expand the bank's capital base and strengthen shareholder value. The offering will run until September 17, 2026, and is open to existing shareholders and new investors who meet ESX requirements. It is open to existing shareholders and new investors who meet ESX requirements...