Taxi-Hailing Veteran Banks on Mobile Money

May 28 , 2022


[ssba-buttons]

A taxi hailing industry leader has partnered with state-owned Ethio telecom to avail clients a new payment option. Ride's passengers can now use the telecom operator's Telebirr mobile money platform to pay for their trips. The agreement between the two companies also looks to onboard Ride drivers as salespeople for Ethio telecom. They will augment close to 700 sales centres operated by Ethio telecom by selling subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. Ride, co-founded by Samrawit Fikru as a subsidiary of Hybrid Designs Plc, began operations in March 2017 with a capital of 40,000 Br. It quickly rose to the forefront in Ethiopia's nascent ride-hailing industry. However, the company faces stiff competition in the form of Feres, which has gained significant market share since it became available for download in early 2020. Telebirr has garnered over 18 million users since it was launched a year ago.


Radar

Korenti, Agelegel Microfinance Ink EV Financing Deal

Korenti Auto Trading PLC has signed a strategic agreement with Agelegel Microfinance to provide accessible financing options for electric vehicle (EV) buyers. The partnership seeks to ease EV ownership by offering fair pricing and loan packages with affordable rates. The initiative supports Ethiopia's push for clean transport and aligns with national sustainability goals. Korenti's managing director said the move reflects the company's commitment to expanding electric mobility. Customers can now...


Radar

NBE Leads Week-Long Bank Supervision Application Forum

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is hosting a week-long Bank Supervision Application (BSA) User Group meeting that began on July 7, 2025. The BSA system, developed by a pan-African consortium of central banks including the NBE, automates supervisory work for financial regulators. NBE will take over the rotating BSA chairmanship in September. Opening the session, Frezer Ayalew, Director of Bank Supervision, stressed the need for modern tools to handle growing regulatory demands amid cyberse...


Radar

Six Fuel Companies Banned, Seven Warned, Authority Noted Illicit Activity

The Ethiopian Petroleum & Energy Authority has taken disciplinary action against 13 fuel distribution companies for illegally trading 2.8 million litres of fuel outside the digital system in the past two months. Six firms face a one-month suspension from the fuel import and trading market, while seven others received final warnings and must rectify their operations within a month. Director General Destawe Mekwanant (PhD) said the companies failed to monitor fuel stations and ensure proper...