Tripartite Partnership Comes Live to Boost Regional Capital Markets


Tripartite Partnership Comes Live to Boost Regional Capital Markets

A partnership that promotes cross-border investments, knowledge exchange, and capacity building was formed between the securities exchanges of Ethiopia and Kenya last week. Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and iCapital Africa Institute join forces to avail training programs for market participants, establishment of a strong regulatory framework, and exploration of innovative financial products the institutions plan to meet the growing needs of investors. CEOs Tilahun Kassahun (PhD) of ESX, Frank Mwiti of NSE, and Gemechu Waktola of the Institute signed the memorandum of understanding at Hyatt Regency, Africa Avenue (Bole Road). A key part of the capital market space, ESX is on track to launch its real-time trading platform. According to Tilahun, the move will accelerate the growth of the capital market in the region through innovation and technology transfer.


Radar

Electricity Bills Get the VAT Jolt

The new Value Added Tax (VAT) has begun implementation on electricity consumption and various service fees affecting customers who use more than 200 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Based on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, the tax will be applied to the excess amount of electricity consumption above 200 kilowatt hours. The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) began implementing the VAT on bills starting from November though both prepaid and postpaid customers will have to pay V...


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Gadaa Bank Expands Reach, Faces Lending Constraints

Gadaa Bank closed its first full fiscal year of operations with a net profit of 90.2 million Br. The 18-month-old Bank held its annual general assembly at Millenium Hall on Africa Avenue last week where the board announced that during the year, the Bank opened 15 branches and now has 85 operational branches. “Due to recently enacted policy measures on credit by NBE and unmet resource mobilization during the fiscal year, the Bank was unable to make loan disbursements,” stated Wolde...


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Oromia Bank's Branch Expansion Weighs on Profits

Oromia Bank reported a 47pc decline in net profit to take in 840.9 million Br for the past fiscal year. Interest income grew by 21pc to reach 7.19 billion Br while personnel expense grew by 36pc to hit 3.16 billion Br. The opening of 72 new branches, bringing the total to 575, led to a four percent growth of deposits to 56.4 billion Br. The profits are “unsatisfactory against our ambitious moves,” said Assefa Seme (PhD), board chairperson. “The deviation is primarily attributed to our aggr...