Microfinance Turned Bank Embarks on Securities Exchange Investment


Microfinance Turned Bank Embarks on Securities Exchange Investment

Siinqee Bank has taken a significant step towards the realisation of the inaugural securities exchange by making a 50 million Br equity investment in the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). The agreement was signed last week between Neway Megerssa, president of Siinqee and Tilahun Kassahun, CEO of Exchange, at the Bank's headquarters on Tito St. Siinquee Bank, which transitioned from a microfinance institution to a full-fledged bank, has rapidly expanded its branch network, reaching 530 branches across the country in less than two years. As part of the deal, it becomes a five percent stakeholder in the paid-up capital of ESX, with the minimum equity investment set at 10 million Br. The equity investment in ESX follows a broader trend, with Zemen Bank being the first private commercial bank to invest in the exchange with a 47.5 million Br purchase last month. An initial 275 million Br was raised from four state-owned enterprises under Ethiopia's sovereign wealth fund, Ethiopian Investment Holdings and FSD Africa. Neway Megerssa highlighted the opportunity presented by the launch of capital markets, emphasising its potential to boost savings, increase capital, and enhance overall efficiency. He also noted that the establishment of capital markets would contribute to increased competitiveness among financial institutions.


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Yirgalem Hospital Inaugurates New Oxygen Production Plant

A new oxygen production plant has been inaugurated at Yirgalem Hospital Medical College in Sidama Regional State. The launch was attended by the regional state's chief administrator Desta Ledamo and Health Minister Mekdes Daba (PhD). Desta noted that a new kidney dialysis centre will soon be opened as well. Mekdes stated that the Ministry is working to increase the number of oxygen production facilities from the current 10 to 34 nationwide. The Yirgalem plant cost 86 million Br to build and h...


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Corridor Develops with Parking, Recklessness Concerns, Research Finds

Research involving 400 respondents across four first-round corridor development routes revealed major challenges to the initiative. The study, conducted by Shaka Analytics and ETC Institute in collaboration with the Addis Abeba City Transport Bureau, examined the impact of the program on transportation patterns, transit accessibility, and parking availability. The routes—Arat Kilo to Bole Deldey, Embassy of England to Arat Kilo, Mexico roundabout to Wello Sefer, and Piassa to Arat Kilo—we...


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Digitalisation Spreads to the Court System

Ethio telecom and the Amhara Regional State Supreme Court have agreed to implement a Smart Court project in Bahir Dar to modernize court operations using digital technology. This agreement includes building a modern network infrastructure, implementing cloud services, creating a modular data centre, establishing a network operations control centre, and connecting the region's courts with a secure digital network. The project is designed to facilitate secure digital information exchange betwee...