Hello, Good People!
We get it — diving back into work after a holiday can feel like a struggle, but hey, you’ve got this! We were up and running yesterday, gathering all the important news to make sure you don’t miss out on the week’s highlights. So grab your coffee (or whatever keeps you going) and let’s dive into the latest updates — we’ve got some exciting stuff to share!
📈 Economic Performance & Exports
💰 Ethiopia Earns $2.1B from Gold Exports
The Ministry of Mines reported over $2.1 billion in gold export revenue in the first nine months of the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year. About 26 tons of gold were delivered to the National Bank of Ethiopia. The sector has been boosted by macroeconomic reforms and new operational sites in gold, coal, and cement. PM advisor Kejala Merdasa urged continued momentum for long-term growth.
Source: ENA
📦 Ethiopia’s Total Export Earnings Hit $5.3B
Ethiopia generated $5.3 billion from total exports in the first nine months of FY 2024/25, up from $3.8 billion in the same period last year. The Ministry of Trade credits macroeconomic reforms and favorable global commodity prices.
- Coffee: $1.5B
- Gold: 20.5 tons exported. The government targets $7B by year-end and is prioritizing WTO accession and AfCFTA implementation.
☕ New Coffee Export Record Set
Ethiopia exported nearly 300,000 tons of coffee, generating $1.5 billion, 38% above target and 72% higher than last year.
Top destinations: Saudi Arabia, Germany, the U.S., and growing demand from Belgium, China, and South Korea.
Success attributed to better quality control, expanded production, and market diversification. Read here
💼 Business & Investment
🏢 EIH Reports Strong Financials
Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) reported 1.5 trillion birr in revenue and paid 98 billion birr in taxes during the first nine months. It also:
- Generated $9.3 billion in foreign currency
- Transferred 14.5B birr in dividends to MoF
- Now oversees 40 SOEs, including the Development Bank of Ethiopia and Ethiopian Railway Corporation
EIH is now Africa’s largest sovereign wealth fund with assets close to $45 billion. Read here
🤝 Kenya & Ethiopia Sign MoU
The two countries signed an MoU to implement a Simplified Trade Regime (STR) under AfCFTA, focusing on border towns like Moyale.
Key points:
- Trade zone: 50–100 km radius
- $1,000 per trader threshold
- 4 cross-border trips per month allowed
Goal: ease trade flow, stimulate local economies, and enhance logistics. Read here
🏦 Finance & Regulation
📉 Banks Struggle with New NBE Loan Rules
Commercial banks are facing challenges adapting to NBE’s updated loan classification directive. Effective since mid-June, the directive:
- Introduces stricter NPL (Non-Performing Loan) definitions
- Limits loan restructuring options
- Imposes a 2% provision on off-balance sheet exposures
Banks warn of reduced lending capacity, profitability pressure, and worsened asset quality. The Ethiopian Bankers Association requests timeline flexibility and sector-specific adjustments. Source: The Reporter
💵 NBE FX Auction: USD Trades at 131.50 Birr
In its latest auction, the National Bank of Ethiopia sold $70 million, meeting 96% of demand from 26 banks.
- Weighted average rate: 131.4961 Birr/USD
- Next auction: in two weeks
Goal: manage forex flow while transitioning toward market-based exchange rates.
🛡️ Deposit Insurance Fund Grows
The Ethiopian Deposit Insurance Fund (EDIF) collected 5.2 billion Birr in premiums (up 11.1%).
- Covers 97% of depositors, insuring up to 100,000 Birr per depositor
- Investment portfolio: 12.1B Birr, with 689M Birr in profit, mostly from treasury bonds
Major contributors: private banks (51.3%) and CBE (47.5%) Read here
✈️ Transport & Tech
✈️ Ethiopian Airlines Upgrades Interiors
The airline partnered with Bucher (Switzerland) to install new, space-optimized galleys in its upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
This follows a recent agreement with Safran for Z400 economy seats. CEO Mesfin Tasew emphasized innovation and passenger comfort as Ethiopian continues expanding to 160+ global destinations.
🚀 Innovation & Startups
🚀 12 Ethiopian Startups Join Timbuktoo’s ManuTech Top 40
Out of 640 applicants from 52 African countries, 12 Ethiopian startups were selected for the ManuTech cohort under the $1B timbuktoo initiative.
Notable names: MedFab Ethiopia, Debo Engineering, Robox Robotic & AI Center
Perks: 3-month acceleration, $20K equity-free funding, and access to AfCFTA & UNDP networks.
The ManuTech Hub in Addis is one of 10 across Africa aiming to support 10,000 startups and create 10M jobs in 10 years. Source: Shega Media
🏆 Chapa Wins at GITEX Africa
Ethiopian fintech Chapa secured 3rd place at the GITEX AFRICA 2025 Supernova Challenge, winning $20,000 in equity-free funding.
The company impressed judges with its bold vision for digital payments and inclusion. Ethiopia’s fintech scene is definitely rising. Read here
📺 Governance & Policy
📰 Media Law Reformed
The House of People’s Representatives passed a revised media proclamation to support independent and accountable journalism.
Key changes:
- Fixes regulatory gaps
- Promotes media competitiveness
- Updates oversight mechanisms
Strengthens editorial standards
Chief Whip Tesfaye Beljige emphasized the importance of responsible media in a democratic system.
Source: ENA
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🔔 Final Note
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— Written by the StockMarket.et Newsroom
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