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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Ministry Secures $86m Grants

An 86.18 million dollar grant agreement was signed between the Ministry of Finance, UNICEF and UNFPA last week to support the agencies' ongoing country programs for the fiscal year. Out of the total grant, UNICEF committed 70 million dollars to support its water, nutrition, education, health, sanitation, child protection, and gender projects. Meanwhile, UNFPA pledged 16.1 million dollars for family planning, maternal health, adolescent and youth development, and gender equality and women empo...


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Authority Reports Fuel Import Stats

Ethiopian Petroleum & Energy Authority (EPA) disclosed that 3.2 million tons of fuel were imported into the country during the last fiscal year. The figure includes 2.04 million tons of diesel and 767,672tns of benzene. In the past fiscal year, the digital payment system, Telebirr, facilitated transactions totalling 103 million volumes worth 61.8 billion Br. Of these transactions, 81.39pc were for diesel, while 17.82pc were for benzene. The number of fuel stations increased from 682 to...


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Commercial Bank Collects $3.2b in Foreign Currency

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) announced robust performance in foreign currency collection for the past fiscal year, achieving 3.2 billion dollars in total mobilisation. This includes 2.07 billion dollars in remittances, with the Bank's Diaspora banking service and CBE Birr contributing 89.9 million dollars to the total. The performance details were shared during CBE's annual review meeting last week. "This achievement is particularly gratifying given the challenging economic climat...


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