Security Agency Joins City Tax Collection Efforts

Dec 19 , 2021


[ssba-buttons]

The Information Network Security Agency has signed an agreement with Addis Abeba City Revenues Bureau to enhance the latter's digital revenue collection. A platform dubbed "Derash Digital Payment Platform" will be used to augment the city's tax collection system, according to Solomon Soka, director-general of the Agency. In addition, cybersecurity enhancement works will be conducted on the Bureau's existing digital systems. More than 50 billion Br has been transacted since the launch of Derash, which works in collaboration with 16 commercial banks and 10 other financial institutions. Last week, the Agency also signed an agreement with ArifPay, a digital payment service provider, to facilitate digital payment through Derash.


Radar

Amendment Expands Access for Foreign Traders

Foreign participation in Ethiopia's wholesale, retail, import, and export trade sectors has come under renewed focus as the Ethiopian Investment Board(EIB) approved a significant amendment to Directive No. 1001/2016  in its meeting on May 23, 2025. The amendment, proposed by the Ethiopian Investment Commission(EIC), focuses on refining the legal framework governing foreign investment in these sectors. The decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country's appeal as an investment...


Radar

NBE Sets Four Percent Ceiling on Foreign Exchange Fees

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a new foreign exchange market directive on May 20, 2025, that caps commercial banks' forex service fees at a maximum of four percent. Banks are instructed to adapt competitive, transparent, and streamlined pricing for all forex-related services. Effective May 26, 2025, total charges for purchasing foreign exchange whether for imports, service payments, or cash note purchases must not exceed the newly set limit. The directive also prohibits banks f...


Radar

SantimPay Launches Zero-fee Digital Remittance Platform

SantimPay has rolled out FrankRemit, first fully integrated, zero-fee digital remittance platform, in partnership with Bank of Abyssinia(BOA). The service smoothly connects all commercial banks and major mobile money providers, including Telebirr, M-Pesa, and CBE Birr which is a first of its kind in the country. FrankRemit is expected to revolutionise how the Ethiopian diaspora sends money home. Developed locally and tested over the past two weeks with successful transfers from multiple count...