ZamZam Bank Joins Commodity Exchange Payment System


ZamZam Bank Joins Commodity Exchange Payment System

The pioneering full-fledged interest-free commercial bank, ZamZam Bank, has become the 24th financial institution to join the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange's (ECX) payment system. CEO of the Exchange Wendemagegnehu Negera signed the deal with the President of the Bank Melika Bedri last week. According to the CEO, joining the platform which has around 11,000 accounts registered and has transacted over 386 billion Br so far, will allow a reliable mechanism whereby traders can be certain that payments will be made through a reliable system facilitated by the Exchange. As the volume of sesame at 73,000tns and coffee at 50,000tns traded through the Exchange increased by 45pc and 17pc, respectively this year, transactions have passed the 19.4 billion Br mark in nine months. A total of 172,000tns of commodities were transacted during this period. The Exchange has recently announced that its trading operations would become digital, currently finalising the development of software. An additional 21 commodities including salt and barley will also be added to the floor.


Radar

Parliament Reviews Bill Allowing Foreign Property Ownership

A draft proclamation that would allow foreigners to own or occupy immovable property in Ethiopia has been submitted to parliament by the Council of Ministers. Designed to attract foreign investment, the draft law plans to ensure that Ethiopian citizens retain their right to land ownership and use. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the draft was among six agenda items discussed and approved during the Council's regular session held on May 2, 2025. The proclamation is e...


Radar

Speeding in the Spotlight as New Safety Drive Begins

The Road Safety and Insurance Fund Service has stated that drivers are responsible for 68 percent of traffic accidents in Ethiopia, with the remainder mainly caused by pedestrians and road conditions. On this topic, the service launched a one-month mass media campaign on last week focused on raising awareness about speeding, the leading cause of traffic accidents. The campaign, under the motto "Slow Down, Speeding Ruins Lives," plans to shed light on the dangers of speeding. Yohannes Lemma, E...


Radar

Askari Metals Secures Five Gold Licenses in Untapped Adola Belt

Askari Metals has acquired 100pc of Rift Valley Metals, gaining five gold exploration licences covering 460sqkm in Ethiopia's Adola Greenstone Belt, part of the southern Arabian-Nubian Shield, a mineral-rich but underexplored region. "The exploration areas—Sakaro, Sakaro West, Lega Dembi South, Megado, and Wayu Boda—lie near Ethiopia's top gold mines, including Lega Dembi and Sakaro, which have produced over three million ounces of gold. The area is known for orogenic gold systems hosted...