CBE Avails Loan Services for Smallholder Farmers, Pastoralists

Addis Ababa, December 18, 2025 (ENA) —The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has launched loan services today that enhance the production and productivity of smallholder farmers and pastoralists.

 

 

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Agriculture State Minister, Melese Mekonen, said access to finance for the farmers and pastoralists is crucial to boost production and productivity through transforming the sector.

Appreciating the initiative taken by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia to provide the loans, he stressed that such initiatives would significantly contribute to the effort toward ensuring food sovereignty and enhancing foreign trade.

 

 

According to the Melese, Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the National Bank of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders, has prepared an Agricultural Finance Roadmap is designed to enable other banks and financial institutions to provide loan for smallholder farmers and pastoralists.

CBE Executive Vice President for Corporate Services, Ephrem Mekuria, said the loan services would be provided for those engaged in crop production, animal farming, milk and dairy production, vegetables, fruit and flower cultivation, purchase of agricultural machinery and equipment.

 

 

He stated that the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has been providing loans at low interest rates for large, medium and small agricultural projects for the purchase of fertilizers, agricultural inputs, machinery, among others.

The new loan services on the other hand focus on giving loans for individual private small holder farmers and organized farmers as well as pastoralists.