The Ministry of Industry has held discussions with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) on providing credit to 13 major manufacturing industries. Industry Minister Melaku Alebel said a shortage of investment banks in the country has left many manufacturers struggling to secure loans from policy banks. He warned that delays in starting operations, even after project approvals, hurt the country’s economy and called on the bank to improve service efficiency. While acknowledging the support policy banks have provided so far, he stressed the need to expand their capacity to do more. Manufacturing representatives raised concerns over slow responses to feasibility studies and discrepancies in the bank’s loan estimates. CBE Vice President Dereje Fufa said some complaints stem from misunderstandings of the bank’s operating guidelines. He added that many feasibility studies submitted by manufacturers are poorly prepared or copied from other sectors. Dereje highlighted the bank’s plan to introduce an unmanned inspection system to improve loan disbursement efficiency. He also noted that the Ministry of Industry is organising problem-solving forums and mobilisation events, including individual factory visits, to address challenges facing the manufacturing sector.

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