Microfinance institutions are now required to surrender 30pc of the foreign currency they generate from the sale of shares to the Ethiopian diaspora to the National Bank of Ethiopia, according to a new directive.

The 10-page directive that was issued last week by the central bank operationalises the proclamation that allowed the diaspora, as well as companies owned by diaspora, to invest in existing and under-formation financial institutions.

"There is a need to put in place an implementation modality for investment by the diaspora in the microfinance business," reads the directive that is signed by Yinager Dessie (PhD), governor of the central bank.

The Ethiopian diaspora who are interested in putting money into the financial industry can only invest in foreign currency, according to the directive.

It also requires the microfinance institutions to surrender 30pc of the value within five days from the receipt of the forex. Upon their transfer, the central bank will deposit an equivalent amount in the payment and settlement account of the microfinance institutions at the prevailing mid exchange rate. The remaining will be retained in the foreign currency account of the existing or newly licensed microfinance institution.

The new directive followed another one that was issued three weeks ago ordering the banks to surrender the same value of their foreign currency earnings from the sale of shares into the account of the central bank. Initially, the regulatory bank proposed that financial institutions surrender their foreign currency earnings fully; however, it reversed that after facing an intense backlash from operators in the industry.

The directive, which hopes to bring more foreign currency into the country and increase the diaspora's participation in the economy, requires the diaspora community to transfer their investment through a SWIFT system. It also stipulates that financial institutions open a blocked foreign currency account for the sale of shares and report these transactions to the central bank.

If a company, which is jointly owned by nationals and diaspora, want to put their money into macrofinance, payment of the share subscription in a foreign currency will be made to the extent of the shareholding percentage held by the diaspora. At the same time, the balance can be paid in Birr, according to the directive.

It also allows share transfers from Ethiopian nationals to the diaspora through succession. But if the share transfer is through sales, the transaction must take place in foreign currency. It also restricted shares acquired by the diaspora through donations.

The new draft directive also states that dividends of the shareholders be paid in local currency, which cannot be repatriated. The shareholders can reinvest their dividends in the same financial institution, according to the draft directive. Dividends that diaspora shareholders generate from other sectors are eligible for repatriation and can be used to purchase shares in a microfinance institution.

Tekolla Demssie, the board chairperson of the newly established Grand Microfinance Institute, warmly welcomes the directive, saying that it will help them by boosting their capital.

Initiated by Hidasie Telecom, Grand Microfinance has 367 shareholders that raised 12 million Br in paid-up capital. It is currently waiting for a go-ahead from the central bank to commence operation.