Unleashing Millions for Micro-Entrepreneurs with Digital Loans

May 12 , 2024


  A 100 million-dollar program to scale up six financial institutions to facilitate digital non-collateral loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was launched last week. Drawing experience from the first digital non-collateral lending platform dubbed Michu powered by Cooperative Bank of Oromia (COOP), the program coupled with Amhara, Bunna, Enat, Wegagen and ZamZam banks. Last year, Coop dispersed 946 million Br loans to farmers through cooperative unions and MSMEs, reaching more than 100,000 users. In partnership with Kifiya Financial Technology Plc and the Mastercard Foundation, the program is expected to put forth 300 million dollars and impact close to half a million businesses. The financing gap in the country is estimated to be close to 4.3 billion dollars, while access to finance has left MSMEs with slim access to non-collateralised financing. The absence of digital and credit infrastructure, limited data, an imbalance of risks and costs, and insecure transactions are cited as primary reasons for financial institutions' reluctance. By providing data-driven AI credit scoring, which ensures that appropriate and relevant products are tailored to and serve the needs and demands, Munir Duri, CEO of Kifiya, plans to "make uncollateralised digital credit the new normal.”


Radar

Parliament Nods for Cabinet Appointments

Federal legislators have approved five cabinet-level positions last week with a member of Parliament (MP) voted against and two abstentions were counted. Gedion Timotheos (PhD) leads the charge as the new minister of Foreign Affairs, filling in Taye Asqeselassie's shoes, where he stayed briefly before becoming the country's president. With law degrees from Addis Abeba and Central European universities, Gedion was previously Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Joining him in the redev...


Radar

Abyssinia Group Eyes Expansion with IFC Funding

Abyssinia Group of Industries (AGI), a leading East African steel producer, is poised for significant expansion owing to a proposed investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) which is considering a financing package of up to 50 million dollars, including parallel loans in local currency. Headquartered in Kenya, AGI operates two steel plants in Ethiopia, six in Kenya, and has mining activities in Uganda. AGI currently produces 660,000 metric tons of steel annually and employs...


Radar

Fitch Acknowledges Easing Financial Pressures, Enhanced Macroeconomic Stability

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ethiopia's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (LTLC IDR) to 'CCC+' from 'CCC-', citing easing financing pressures, improved macroeconomic stability, and increased confidence that local-currency obligations will not be part of the ongoing debt restructuring. This positive development comes as the government implements key reforms and secures renewed concessional external financing. The ratings agency has taken note of the introduction of a market-based ex...


Back
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email