Ethiopias Capital Market Sets Sights on Talent Strategy


Ethiopias Capital Market Sets Sights on Talent Strategy

A new strategy to strengthen the human capital foundation of Ethiopia’s emerging capital market is taking shape. Led by FSD Ethiopia in partnership with iCapital Africa Institute and the Nairobi Securities Exchange, the initiative is focused on building the skills, expertise, and institutional capacity needed to support the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA). The second round of consultations took place on April 23 at Best Western Hotel, drawing key stakeholders including ECMA Director General Hana Tehelku and FSD Ethiopia CEO Hikmet Abdella, as well as representatives from government, academia, the private sector, and development agencies. Established in 2021 under the Capital Market Proclamation, ECMA has made progress in laying a regulatory foundation for securities trading. However, a critical shortage of qualified professionals threatens to stall implementation. The country currently has only a few hundred individuals trained in securities law, governance, or market operations. The Human Capital Development Strategy (HCDS) 2025–2030 aims to close this gap. It rests on three pillars: developing skilled professionals, building strong institutions, and enabling a wider ecosystem. Plans include establishing a Capital Markets Training Institute (CMTI), accrediting training providers, and embedding capital markets education into 100 TVETs and 30 universities. The goal is to certify over 5,000 professionals and reach five million people through investor literacy programmes. “We are not built by compliance alone. We’re built by people, and sustained by skilled, visionary communities,” said Hana Tehelku. She noted ECMA’s progress training over 700 professionals and its focus on areas like digital finance and blockchain. ECMA’s work complements broader reforms under Ethiopia’s Home-Grown Economic Reform agenda, including the upcoming launch of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. A regulatory sandbox introduced in 2024 also encourages fintech innovation, helping to lay the groundwork for a dynamic, inclusive market.


Radar

Speeding in the Spotlight as New Safety Drive Begins

The Road Safety and Insurance Fund Service has stated that drivers are responsible for 68 percent of traffic accidents in Ethiopia, with the remainder mainly caused by pedestrians and road conditions. On this topic, the service launched a one-month mass media campaign on Wednesday focused on raising awareness about speeding, the leading cause of traffic accidents. The campaign, under the motto "Slow Down, Speeding Ruins Lives," plans to shed light on the dangers of speeding. Yohannes Lemma, E...


Radar

Askari Metals Secures Five Gold Licences in Ethiopias Untapped Adola Belt

Askari Metals has acquired 100pc of Rift Valley Metals, gaining five gold exploration licences covering 460sqkm in Ethiopia's Adola Greenstone Belt, part of the southern Arabian-Nubian Shield, a mineral-rich but underexplored region. "The exploration areas—Sakaro, Sakaro West, Lega Dembi South, Megado, and Wayu Boda—lie near Ethiopia's top gold mines, including Lega Dembi and Sakaro, which have produced over three million ounces of gold. The area is known for orogenic gold systems hosted...


Radar

COMFWB Trade Fair to Spotlight Gender-Inclusive Investment

The 6th COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Regional Trade Fair, Business Conference, and Gala Dinner will be held from May 7–9, 2025, in Addis Abeba, as part of COMESA Week. Organised by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and COMFWB, the event is themed “A Thriving COMESA Advancing Gender-Responsive Regional Integration for Unlocking Green Investments, Value Chains, Tourism and Mining in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).” The event pl...