Ethiopia’s Banking Sector Grapples With Historic Liquidity Crisis
Private banks in Ethiopia are now facing severe liquidity and credit management challenges. The NBE stated that poor cash management is the root cause of the liquidity problem, which has led most banks to rely on short-term loans from the central bank via a standing facility window. However, this facility is meant to be used as a last resort to address short-term liquidity issues and is not a viable solution.
Banking on Wheels in Ethiopia: Mobile Branches Parked Awaiting Regulatory Catch-up
Banking on wheels has been developing for decades worldwide, while Ethiopian financial institutions are just coming to terms with the need for it. Yet, the National Bank of Ethiopia says it’s not ready to regulate such services.
Proposed PII Directive Holds Both Promise and Caution for MoMos
The revised directive is a first step toward opening the mobile money sector in Ethiopia to foreign investment. As the revised directive has not yet been tested in practice, it may be necessary to make additional modifications to ensure the success of Mobile money services in Ethiopia.
Developments in InsurTech Market: Innovations, Benefits, and Lessons for Ethiopia
InsurTech, short for Insurance Technology, is a term that refers to the application of technological innovations in the insurance industry. This involves utilizing various technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Big Data, the Internet, Social Media Data, Mobile, Chatbots, Telematics, Biometrics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning to enhance specific components of the […]
Microfinance Institutions: the Need for Capital
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has increased the minimum capital requirements for microfinance firms (MFIs) by over seven folds as of January 16, 2023.
This came as no surprise to existing Microfinance institutions or those under establishment, as the Bank has indicated a capital requirement increase is imminent.
Digital Literacy: a Crucial Tool for Building a Functional Digital Economy in Ethiopia
The lack of adequate skills in Ethiopia limits the adoption of digital initiatives in different sectors, preventing communities from accessing financial services and reaping the benefit of other private and government provisions.
Uncollateralized & Digital Credit in Ethiopia: How Far Has it Come and Where is it Heading?
The last few years have witnessed the rise of a seminal phenomenon in the Ethiopian financial sector that goes back more than a century – digital lending. Although digital credit has immense potential in serving the underfinanced Ethiopian population, there is no lack of impediments holding that potential back.
Among the hurdles are the lack of digitized identification and credit rating systems, a heightened fear of risk due to the absence of efficient risk mitigation methods, and difficulties in loan collection.
Payment Systems Proclamation Revision to Pave New Path for DFS in Ethiopia
Earlier this week the Parliament’s standing committee for budget, plan and finance convened with central bank regulators and members of the private sector to deliberate on the amendment of the payment systems proclamation.
The Long Road to the Fabled National ID
It is a daunting challenge in Ethiopia, where the Kebele ID remains the most used form of identification. The Kebele ID is registered locally without a digital database in many parts of the country. Even though it has high coverage and provides citizens with an official means of authentication, it has many weaknesses that need to be addressed.
The Kebele ID is not effectively deduplicated and hence, does not ensure that an individual cannot claim multiple identities.
The State of Digital Transformation in Ethiopian Agriculture
ATI officials and policymakers are eager to use digital innovation to improve agricultural productivity as the sector’s contribution to the national GDP declines – down to 32% in 2021 from 47% a decade ago.
The administration’s 10-year perspective plan highlights structural challenges inhibiting sectoral growth. These include uncoordinated agricultural land administration, a lack of technology, and low access to finance and investment