Oromia Bank Marks Lucrative Financial Year


Oromia Bank Marks Lucrative Financial Year

Oromia Bank exceeds its revenue target by four percent to 8.3 billion Br while registering two billion Birr gross profits. To the delight of shareholders gathered at Millenium Hall last week, the 63pc ascent in gross profits was accompanied by a 33pc hike in foreign currency earnings. It has reached 371 million dollars, marking a significant milestone for the 15-year-old bank, which was founded with 5,000 shareholders. Teferi Mekonen, president of the Bank, revealed that the total capital of the bank had reached 9.1 billion Br despite industry-wide challenges while its paid-up capital passed the regulatory minimum by 400 million Br. Teferi indicated the challenges of the contractionary monetary policy adopted amidst galloping inflation rates, even though the Bank managed to increase its loans and advances by 33pc to 42.6 billion Br Oromia's branch expansion at 103 new locations paid off as its total number of customers shot up by 34pc to 4.3 million while its mobilised deposits soared by 24pc to 54.3 billion Br. The Bank's total assets also grew by 27pc to 66 billion Br in the year while it maintained a non-performing loan ratio of 1.6pc.


Radar

Ethiopia Revives WTO Ambitions After Five-Year Stall

Ethiopia's trade delegation led by Kassahun Gofe (PhD), a chief negotiator in the WTO accession talks, is reviving a long-stalled effort to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), signalling renewed ambition following a five-year hiatus. He travelled last week to Geneva, Switzerland, where the WTO is headquartered, to conclude negotiations for membership by March next year. If successful, Ethiopia's accession to the world's trade body will be timed, with the 14th ministerial conference set t...


Radar

First Digital Insurance, Loan Services Launched

A new digital insurance and loan service platform christened 'Agar' - translated as a partner - has debuted in the market, marking a notable entry into the financial sector. The initiative, a collaboration among Global Bank Ethiopia, Lucy Insurance, and Kacha Digital Financial Services, pledged to transform access to insurance and credit for various user groups, including insurance policy buyers, taxi drivers, and salaried employees. For Abraham Tilahun, CEO of Kacha Digital Financial Service...


Radar

City Forms Task Force to Regulate Informal Street Vendors

A new task force under the city administration will enforce new regulations designed to restore order on the streets of Addis Abeba and address concerns over cleanliness and public safety. The task force has been established to enforce regulations imposed on informal street vendors. The city's Trade Bureau launched the initiative to address the increasing informal trading, which city officials say has been "disruptive to the established trade system." The task force is headed by Deputy Mayor...