CBE Financial Stabilizer Amid Forex Market Reforms, Says Finance Minister

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2026 (ENA) - The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has become a "financial stabilizer" amid the foreign exchange market reforms in Ethiopia, CBE Board Chairman and Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said.

Launching CBE's Customers Service Week today, he cited CBE's 50 percent share of the national finance market and its improved asset quality as major factors that positioned it as a "financial stabilizer".

The Bank has been paying special attention to the private sector by extending its 88 percent loan last Ethiopian fiscal year to the private sector, according to the Board Chairman.

Further highlighting the nation's economic momentum, he noted that the macroeconomic reform is progressing well, leading to a remarkable 9.2 percent growth last year and an anticipated growth by 10.2 percent this Ethiopian fiscal year.

Representative of CBE's President, Ephrem Mekuria, stated that the Bank, guided by a strategic commitment to private sector development, has channeled 458 billion Birr total loan disbursement to private enterprises for the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year.

This deliberate focus underscores the Bank’s pivotal role in catalyzing national economic expansion and fostering a robust business ecosystem, he added.

The representative further said that "as a vanguard of the national digitalization journey, our bank has reached a transformative peak where digital channels now facilitate over 90 percent of our total transactions."

According to him, over 90 percent transactions are now digital, backed by AI-driven Zero Trust cyber security.

He pledged fixes for network issues during the week-long event honoring customers and staff.