Debub Global Appoints New Board Chairperson

Bikila Hurrisa (PhD)


Debub Global Appoints New Board Chairperson

Debub Global Bank has appointed Bikila Hurrisa (PhD) as chairperson of its board of directors, while Yonas Ayalew was named deputy chairperson. The two were nominated by shareholders during the Bank's regular general assembly held in December of last year. Debub Global has been in a pickle with the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) after being involved in "activities that compromise the financial health of the Bank and tarnish its reputation." As a result, dividends to shareholders from the Bank's earnings last year was suspended by the NBE. The Bank straightened out the issue with the NBE after fulfilling its forex liabilities in two rounds, though some still remains outstanding, according to Tesfaye Boru (PhD), president of the Bank. Accordingly, the central bank lifted the restriction on dividends to be distributed to shareholders last month. Debub Global Bank generated 292 million Br in net profits over the 2019/20 fiscal year, a 39pc growth from the previous year. It earnings per share stood at 347 Br during the same period.


Radar

Sovereign Fund Reviews Mid-Year Performance of Line Companies, Calls for Strategic Improvements

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) launched its mid-year performance review for its portfolio companies, displaying mixed results for the first half of the fiscal year. Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group (ESIG) reached 95.3pc of its sales goal, selling 64,190tn of sugar for 6.1 billion Br—a 132pc year-on-year growth—despite capacity and supply issues. The Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise (EPSE) met 92pc and 97pc of its purchase and sales targets, respectively, stating it has benefitt...


Radar

Digital Pay Uptake Booms Among SMEs, Visa Study Finds

Over 80pc of surveyed small- and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have started accepting digital payments in the last two years, according to a new Visa report titled, ‘Value of Acceptance: Understanding the Digital Payment Landscape in Ethiopia'. Citing increased convenience, the report indicates reduced fraud risk and improved efficiency as factors in the uptake. A substantial 66pc of these SMEs believe that investing in digital payment technologies will support future business growth. The...


Radar

ILO Tackles Agricultural Wage Gap

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Setting Adequate Wages in Agriculture (SAW-A) Project last week, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ), seeking to promote fair wage policies, enhance collective bargaining, and support the establishment of minimum wage mechanisms to improve the livelihoods of agricultural workers. The sector employs over 80pc of Ethiopia's workforce, making it the country's largest employment sec...