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NBE Struggles to Meet Dollar Demand


NBE Struggles to Meet Dollar Demand

The National Bank of Ethiopia held its biweekly foreign exchange auction last week to supply commercial banks with U.S. dollars. Twenty-one banks participated, collectively requesting 94.7 million dollars, but the central bank was able to allocate only 70 million, leaving a shortfall of 24.7 million dollars. Only 15 banks secured currency at a weighted average rate of 154.920 Br per dollar, with bids ranging from 153 to 155 Br. The auction underscores continued pressure on foreign currency availability, as demand outpaces supply and banks compete for limited dollars.

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Abay Bank Lists on Ethiopian Securities Exchange as Fifth Entrant

Abay Bank Share Company began trading on the Main Board of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) on June 25, becoming the fifth company to list after registering its ordinary shares with the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA). The stock debuted at 1,800 Br a share, making all 9.66 million ordinary shares immediately tradable. The listing follows a year of strong financial and digital growth. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the bank reported a three-billion-Br profit, assets...


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Court Freezes Bank Accounts and Assets in Cosmo Trading Dispute

The Federal High Court Civil Bench has ordered the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Awash Bank, Hibret Bank and Bank of Abyssinia to freeze accounts held by Cosmo Trading Plc and Haileyesus Mengistu, blocking transactions of up to 400 million Br. The order follows the House of Federation's April 27, 2026 decision to suspend enforcement of earlier commercial rulings while it reviews a constitutional dispute over inheritance and contested business assets. The case centres on a nine-storey hotel on...


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Bule Hora, Kebri Dehar Universities Sign Austrian Partnership

Bule Hora and Kebri Dehar universities have signed separate memoranda of understanding with Austria's Leoben University to strengthen training in mining, petroleum and energy as Ethiopia seeks to build resource-based industrial capacity. The partnerships aim to enhance academic and practical skills in mining engineering, petroleum studies and energy systems, disciplines viewed as critical to the country's long-term extractive and industrial ambitions. Under the agreement, Bule Hora Univers...