NBE Sustains Dollar Supply as Exchange Rate Rises


NBE Sustains Dollar Supply as Exchange Rate Rises

The US dollar rose to an average of 134.95 Br in the seventh round of the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) foreign exchange auction held on June 5, 2025. This marks a steady increase from 133.17 Br in the previous round and 132.90 Br in the fifth. In the latest bi-weekly auction, the central bank offered 50 million dollars to 12 commercial banks. By comparison, 60 million dollars was supplied to 16 banks at 132.96 Br in early May. In April, two auctions distributed 70 million dollars to 26 banks at 131.49 Br and 50 million dollarsto 12 banks at 131.71 Br. February saw the highest rate of 135.61 Br, with 60 million dollars offered to 27 banks. The auctions are part of the NBE’s ongoing strategy to stabilise the exchange rate and improve dollar availability. While bank participation has recently declined, officials expect the programme to ease import-related pressures, support the private sector, and help maintain macroeconomic stability.

[ssba-buttons]

Radar

Dangote, EIH Break Ground on Mega Fertilizer Plant in Somali Region

Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the state's sovereign investment arm, has struck a deal with Dangote Group to build one of the world's largest urea fertiliser complexes in Gode, Somali Regional State. The 2.5 billion dollars project will see EIH hold a 40pc stake while Dangote keeps 60pc. With agriculture employing over 70pc of Ethiopians, the government hopes the factory will cut fertiliser costs, create jobs, and boost crop yields while positioning the country as a regional hub. Design...


Radar

CBE Capital Joins Nib Bank for Market Expansion

Nib International Bank has partnered with CBE Capital, the investment arm of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), to expand investment banking services and shore up its finances. The deal covers advisory services, seeking to strengthen Nib's balance sheet, attracting capital, and positioning the bank in a modernising financial sector. The partnership follows a difficult year for Nib, where net profit dropped 36pc to 957.9 million Br and deposits shrank, despite paid-up capital climbing to ...


Radar

Credit Cap Nears Lift-Off

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is preparing to lift its long-standing credit cap by September, unlocking 1.3 trillion Br in bank lending. The move, flagged by board member and State Minister of Finance Eyob Tekalegn (PhD), follows years of complaints from businesses that borrowing limits choked large-scale projects. Eyob told a local radio station the reform reflects rising investor appetite and improved economic conditions, though he admitted "financing has been the biggest bottleneck for...