From the full removal of fuel subsidies to the launch of a $13B investment portfolio, Ethiopia took bold economic steps this week. The government gears up for AfCFTA trading in July, while Enat Bank leads in gender-inclusive finance and Dashen Bank hits a milestone in MSME lending. Here’s a quick roundup of the major developments.
Investment & Economy
Ethiopia Unveils $13B Investment Portfolio
The government released its new “Invest in Ethiopia 2025 Deal Book”, featuring $13 billion worth of investment-ready projects. These span renewable energy (e.g., Aysha I Wind Farm – $812M), irrigation, agro-processing, finance, and infrastructure. Incentives include tax holidays, duty-free imports, and repatriation of profits. Execution and regulatory clarity remain key challenges. Read here
Ethiopia Ends Fuel Subsidy
Effective May 9 (gasoline/jet fuel) and June 4 (diesel), Ethiopia fully removed fuel subsidies. Prices now follow global markets. The move aims to reduce smuggling, curb budget pressures, and improve market efficiency. Government promises social protection measures as public concern grows. Read here
Ethiopia, Denmark Ink $238M Deal
The two governments signed a 5-year development agreement (2025–2029) targeting water, electricity, agriculture, and social protection. It’s one of Denmark’s largest aid packages globally. Source: ENA
Ethiopia, EU Launch €6M ECOTRADE Project
The EU-backed ECOTRADE project will support Ethiopia’s AfCFTA implementation through institutional reform, SME support, and trade facilitation. Expertise France will lead execution through 2029. Source: EBR
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Trade & Regional Integration
Ethiopia to Begin Trading Under AfCFTA – July 1
Six years after ratification, Ethiopia will officially begin trading under the AfCFTA framework. The initial rollout covers 90% of eligible goods. The country hopes to build on strong export momentum—$7.2B earned over the past 11 months. Source: Birrmetrics
Sovereign Wealth Fund Eyes Foreign Ports
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) wants to invest in ports beyond Djibouti to reduce logistics costs (now 25%+ of GDP). But EIH says diplomatic alignment with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is critical to success. Source: The Reporter
Banking & Finance
Enat Bank Disburses 1.4B Birr to Women Entrepreneurs
Enat Bank has emerged as the leader in gender-inclusive banking, issuing 1.4 billion birr in collateral-free loans to over 22,000 women. Over 55% of its leadership are women. Recognition came from NBE and World Bank.
Dashen Bank Hits 1B Birr in MESMER Loans
Dashen’s MESMER program has passed 1 billion birr in lending to MSMEs. Expanded outreach, mobile banking teams, and targeted financial products for women and youth have driven growth. Read here
Dashen Bank Launches Secure Asset Deposit Service
Customers can now store valuables—gold, documents, gemstones—in bank-grade deposit boxes. The service targets high-net-worth individuals and mining/trade clients.
NBE Sets Forex Auction Rate at 136.6 Birr/USD
In its June 19 auction, NBE allocated $50M to 11 commercial banks at an average rate of 136.63 Birr/USD. This is part of its ongoing biweekly auction strategy to gradually align rates with market levels. Read here
Tech & Innovation
BirrLink Licensed as Payment Gateway Operator
Faris Technologies’ new subsidiary, BirrLink, has secured its license from NBE, becoming the 12th payment gateway operator. With 3 million Birr capital, integration with 10 banks, and plans to digitize Addis transport, BirrLink is set to launch in early 2026. Source: Shega
Arifpay Partners with NIB Bank
Together, they’ll roll out new tools—ArifPOS, Merchant App, Super Merchant Model—to accelerate digital payment adoption, especially among SMEs.
Arifpay Appoints Rediet Tsigeberhan as CEO
With 15+ years in tech, Rediet steps up as Arifpay’s CEO to drive innovation and expansion in Ethiopia’s digital finance space.
Beemi Raises $1M to Expand in Africa
Ethiopian startup Beemi secured $1 million to grow its gamified livestreaming platform, adding new content and creator tools across Africa. Source: Shega
Agriculture & Sustainability
MoA, PxD Ink $3M Deal for Digital Agriculture
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture signed an MoU with Precision Development to digitize agriculture with Gates Foundation funding. Running through 2027, the project aims to increase smallholder productivity via digital advisory tools. Source: EBR
Ethio Telecom & Oromia Bureau Launch Agri Big Data Platform
Using IoT, satellite data, and cloud tech, this platform will modernize Oromia’s farming systems and link farmers to markets in real time.
Aviation & Trade
Ethiopian Airlines Begins Passenger Flights to Hyderabad
Hyderabad becomes the 6th Indian city served by Ethiopian Airlines. This expands its South Asia reach, supporting trade, tourism, and medical travel.
Ethiopian Airlines Suspends Tel Aviv Flights
Due to regional tensions, flights to/from Tel Aviv are suspended until June 22. Other carriers have made similar moves.
Cities & Governance
Addis Ababa Approves 350B Birr City Budget for 2025/26
A record budget: 250B Birr for development projects (infrastructure, jobs) and 100B Birr for recurrent expenses. A new urban land lease pricing revision is also in the works. Source: Addis Insight
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— Written by the StockMarket.et Newsroom
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