Emerging Fintech Captures Turnaround Profit


Emerging Fintech Captures Turnaround Profit

SantimPay Financial Solution announced a net profit of 57.3 million Br in its second year of operation, a significant turnaround from a loss of 7.1 million Br the year prior. The digital payment system company, which held its second annual general assembly at Sheraton Addis, also reported a revenue of 152 million Br. Tensaye Desalegn, CEO, pointed to the company’s strong financial position, stating “our balance sheet has strengthened significantly, with total assets of 240 million Br and debt-to-equity ratio of 14.95pc.” Established under the National Bank of Ethiopia's Payment System Proclamation, SantimPay seeks to create a society that uses modern and contactless digital transactions by connecting different financial platforms, such as banks and mobile wallet applications. SantimPay launched three new technology products in November 2022, POS, Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Payment Gateway. These products were launched in collaboration with six partner banks, Tele Birr, and M-Pesa. The company now has over 5,500 new QR merchants and has processed 18,764 transactions. More than 26 billion Br in transactions have been transferred through SantimPay's digital payment system. Despite competition from other fintech companies, Chapa and Arifpay, the company’s Board Chairman Daniel Kitaw (Prof) emphasized, “we are acutely aware of the importance of maintaining a diplomatic approach in our business strategies.”

[ssba-buttons]

Radar

State-Owned Enterprises Deliver, But Fund Seeks More from Underperformers

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country's sovereign wealth fund, closed its annual performance review with a mix of strong gains and lingering concerns across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises. Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics led the year with 4.5 million tons of cargo, driving revenues up 90pc and doubling pre-tax profit. Sugar production from Wonji Shoa, Metehara, and Fincha climbed 34.8pc to 163,290 tons, nearly doubling revenues to 15.6 billion Br, though EIH flagged ch...


Radar

MIDROC Cocoa Drive, Local Production Focus on Value Addition

MIDROC Investment Group is placing a bold wager on cocoa in the lowlands of Sheka. Building on extensive trials at the Bebeka Coffee State Farm, the company has introduced globally prized Forastero, Trinitario, and Criollo varieties alongside coffee. "The results are astonishing," said General Manager Beshada Worku, pointing to international prices that range from 8,200 to 14,000 dollars a ton. The project's first phase covers 50 hectares, with 44,000 seedlings already planted. Expansion to ...


Radar

Bureau Maps Out 1,700 Land Rights in a Month

The Rights Registration & Holding Service Directorate under the Bureau of Land Development & Administration prepared over 1,700 landholding certification maps in a single month. The update came during the bureau's July performance review, which measured progress against the upcoming fiscal year's targets. Director Tesfamichael Endale said efforts are being scaled up to give farmers secure land rights and quicker certification. Deputy Head WendwossenBanjaw added that the priority ahead...