In Ethiopia's nascent and somewhat turbulent Islamic banking industry, a narrative of daring ambition, loss and potential resilience unfolds.

ZamZam Bank, Ethiopia's first full-service Islamic bank, recently declared an annual loss of 146.42 million Br in its fiscal year ending June 2022, a development that contrasts sharply with the firm's aggressive expansion plans. The news, however, has not dented the upbeat outlook of the Bank's executives, who highlight the positive strides made in their launch year.

Experts say given its considerable paid-up capital, a large pool of depositors, and a sizeable CAR, ZamZam Bank appears to be in a strong position to weather the initial turbulence. Indeed, the Bank's performance during its inaugural year does not detract from its substantial potential to grow in the nascent Ethiopian Islamic banking industry. Its competitive positioning and alignment with global Islamic banking trends position it favourably for the long haul.

Melika Bedri, the inaugural President of the Bank, contended that such losses were a common hazard for industry pioneers, particularly within the banking sector, where initial capital outlays can be steep. An economics graduate from Addis Ababa University and postgraduate in business administration from the Open University in London, Melika honed her skills in various roles at the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE), eventually serving as chief financial officer (CFO).

"High expense is expected in the first year of operation," she told Fortune.

The first-year financial performance of ZamZam was characterised by revenues of 6.5 million Br and towering operational costs of 187 million Br, with overhead expenses accounting for two million Birr. This narrative of initial struggle is not unique to ZamZam Bank; it is a trend common to Ethiopia's emergent Islamic banking sector, as mirrored by the loss reported by Hijira Bank, another nascent Islamic banking institution.

ZamZam's considerable financial loss can be attributed mainly to its bold move to scale its physical footprint quickly. In a departure from traditional banking norms for a start-up, the Bank established 40 branches across Addis Abeba and other urban areas, accounting for a significant 30pc of its total expenses. Melika has underscored the urgency to set up physical branches to cater to the pent-up demand for Islamic banking services.

With a population of over 114 million, of which a considerable proportion practises the Islamic faith, Ethiopia is an untapped territory for the Islamic banking industry, teeming with vast growth prospects. The success of Malaysia's Islamic banking industry, representing about 30pc of the country's total banking sector, paints a picture of the potential market size awaiting Ethiopia’s Islamic banks, including ZamZam.

Nasir Dino (PhD), chairman of ZamZam Bank, who has been advocating the inclusion of interest-free banking in Ethiopia for the past 14 years, first presented the idea to then Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Abay Tsehaye, the then chairman of the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). Nasir fondly recollects the ensuing policy debates that considered three different models for Islamic banking services: operation as a conventional bank with an interest-free window, establishment as a full-fledged interest-free bank, and transitioning from the former to the latter.

"It gave us hope to start promoting the idea," he said.

Despite managing to raise 330 million Br in subscribed capital, the promoters were unsuccessful in obtaining a license for a full-fledged Sharia-compliant bank from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), confining such ideas to a window service within traditional banking operations.

However, the tide turned when Abiy Ahmed (PhD) ascended to the position of Prime Minister, paving the way for full-fledged Sharia-compliant banking. ZamZam Bank took the lead and launched in 2021, raising 872 million Br in paid-up capital and 1.68 billion Br in subscribed capital. This move was closely followed by Hijira, Shebelle, and Rammis banks, which joined the industry as full-fledged Islamic banks.

Nasir, who completed his postgraduate studies in Islamic banking at the London Institute of Islamic Banking & Insurance, believes the ZamZam Bank continues to have a robust market despite intensifying competition. In a shareholders meeting in December 2022, he reassured the stakeholders of long-term success and relevance, hinging on their trust and support as the Bank continues to refine its personnel, systems, and processes for better outcomes in the upcoming years.

Nadim Abdulsemed is a founding shareholder with 40 million Br invested in the Bank. Although he is yet to see dividends, Nadim is hopeful about the future.