FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS ADVERTORIALS FORTUNE AUDIO Fortune Careers TRADE AFRICA Election 2026 New TIME REMAINING UNTIL ETHIOPIA’S NATIONAL ELECTION 0Days 0Hours 0Minutes 0Seconds




Safaricom and Hibert Bank Ink Integration Deal

Aug 5 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

With the M-Pesa mobile money service near takeoff, Safaricom Ethiopia strikes a deal with Hibret Bank to integrate digital money transaction services where the 475 Bank branches function as super-agents for registration, deposit mobilisation and cash withdrawals. The deal was signed between Paul Kavavu, interim general manager of Safaricom Ethiopia and Melaku Kebede, president of Hibert Bank last week at the Bank's headquarters on Ras Abebe Aregay Street. It allows both M-Pesa agents and customers to access the services of Hibret Bank while the one million digital banking customers will also be able to transfer money from their account to the M-Pesa wallet to settle bills and top-up airtime. Paul underscored that they are keen to work with major financial sector players to offer the digital payment solution to their customers. Although he did not reveal the official date to launch the mobile money service, one of its parent companies Vodacom Group Ltd indicated that it will be before the end of September through a trading update released last week. M-Pesa has over 50 million customers across seven countries while averaging over 314 billion dollars worth of transactions a year. Melaku indicated that the mobile money operator will extend banking services to a large segment of the population without access to financial services. "We're chosen because of our technical capacity," said Melaku.


Radar

Annual U.S.–Ethiopia Real Estate Expo to Debut in July

Harvest Circle Inc., a U.S.-based organisation, will launch the first annual U.S.-Ethiopia Real Estate & Construction Expo in July 2026. The event will bring together Ethiopian and U.S. real estate developers, construction firms, banks, insurers, property managers, and investors to explore partnership, financing, and investment opportunities. Organisers say the platform seeks to promote private sector-led urban development, facilitate diaspora investment, and expand market access for Ethiop...


Radar

Addis Abeba Housing Bureau Warns Landlords against Illegal Rent Hikes, Threatens Legal Action

The Addis Abeba Housing Development and Administration Bureau has issued a warning to landlords attempting to impose unauthorised rent increases or carry out unlawful evictions as the residential leasing cycle nears its statutory June 30 deadline. The warning follows reports of landlords pressuring tenants to vacate properties under claims of personal use or sale, alongside demands for steep rent hikes, according to comments made to state media. Kidist W. Giorgis, Head of the Bureau, said...


Radar

Development Bank Turns Corner as Profit Hits Eight Billion Br

The Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) posted a gross profit of eight billion Br in the first nine months of the fiscal year while repaying 15.6 billion Br in outstanding debt. Total income reached 17.3 billion Br, exceeding its target by 12pc. Presenting its performance to the House of Peoples' Representatives Standing Committee for Government Development Organizations, the bank highlighted progress from ongoing reforms, including reducing its non-performing loan ratio to 13.4pc, below the Nati...