Ethiopian banking and fintech, 16-Oct-26 • The National Bank of Ethiopia launched six dollar auctions through December, each offering $140 million. • Bank of Abyssinia reported 15.85 billion birr pre-tax profit, but non-performing loans tripled. • Several banks posted strong 2025/26 results, including Oromia, Abay, Zemen and Rammis. • The central bank joined PAPSS, and held talks with the IMF and UAE in Bangkok. • The Capital Market Authority restricted Dangote Petroleum's Ethiopian IPO to qualified investors. BIRR METRICS * NBE Launches Expanded FX Auction Programme With $140 Mln Sale The National Bank of Ethiopia holds its 30th FX sale on October 13, offering $140 million, first of six auctions October–December. Quarterly allocation rises 68 percent to $840 million. Birr Metrics * Ecobank to join China's CIPS as Ethiopia weighs yuan settlement Ecobank plans an October 10, 2026 agreement to join China's CIPS and negotiates yuan settlement with Bank of China; NBE has held similar talks with the PBoC. Birr Metrics * Rammis Bank Registers 2.1 Million Shares Ahead of ESX Listing Rammis Bank registered 2,101,106 shares with ECMA and received in-principle ESX listing approval, targeting October. Trading awaits outstanding regulatory and exchange requirements. Birr Metrics * Abyssinia Bank reports 15 billion birr gross profit for 2025/26 Abyssinia Bank's 2025/26 gross profit exceeded 15 billion birr, up 56.91 percent; net profit topped 11.5 billion birr, deposits rose 31.1 percent to 318.79 billion birr. Birr Metrics ETHIOPIAN REPORTER (@ETHIOREPORTER) * Rammis Bank Posts 262.3 Million Birr Pre-Tax Profit Rammis Bank reports 262.3 million birr pre-tax profit, recovering from a loss, per the Ethiopian Reporter. Ethiopian Reporter (@EthioReporter) * Ethiopia's central bank plans digital money launch The Ethiopian Reporter says the National Bank of Ethiopia plans to launch digital money and bring inflation to single digits. Ethiopian Reporter (@EthioReporter) * Zemen Bank Reports 6.75 Billion Birr Net Profit Zemen Bank announces net profit of 6.75 billion birr, per the Ethiopian Reporter, with no details on the period or comparisons. Ethiopian Reporter (@EthioReporter) ETHIOPIAN BUSINESS REVIEW (TELEGRAM) * ECMA Limits Dangote Petroleum IPO Offer in Ethiopia to Qualified Investors The Capital Market Authority says Dangote Petroleum's Ethiopian IPO securities may go only to qualified investors, capped at 100, under Proclamation 1248/2021 and Directive 1030/2024. Ethiopian Business Review (Telegram) * Zemen Bank's income shifts from forex to lending and fees Zemen Bank's forex gains fell 39 percent to 2.36 billion birr, 13 percent of income; interest income rose 44 percent, fees 53 percent. Net profit grew 15 percent to 6.75 billion birr. Ethiopian Business Review (Telegram) NATIONAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA (TELEGRAM) * Ethiopia central bank governor meets IMF Africa director in Bangkok Governor Eyob Tekalign met IMF African Department Director Zeine Zeidane at the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, discussing Ethiopia's macroeconomic reform agenda. National Bank of Ethiopia (Telegram) * Ethiopia and UAE central bank governors meet in Bangkok Governor Eyob Tekalign met UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama in Bangkok, exploring stronger financial and banking cooperation and expertise exchange. National Bank of Ethiopia (Telegram) THE REPORTER ETHIOPIA * CBE Cuts NPL Ratio to 2.15% Commercial Bank of Ethiopia reports 2.15 percent NPL ratio for 2025/26. 2024/25 net profit rose 75.8 percent to 38.71 billion birr; government injected 92.85 billion birr. The Reporter Ethiopia * Ethiopia's Central Bank Drafts Tax Overhaul for Interest-Free Finance NBE's draft interest-free finance strategy proposes amending the tax framework, a national coordination office and a Central Shariah Committee. Interest-free deposits reached 379.1 billion birr. The Reporter Ethiopia ADDIS FORTUNE (@ADDIS_FORTUNE) * Bunna Bank's forex move shifts birr average Bunna Bank's unusual move reversed the banks' average buying direction; without it, the other 28 banks' average rose from 161.62 to 161.75 birr, per Addis Fortune. Addis Fortune (@addis_fortune) * Ethiopia's central bank plans six dollar auctions through December Addis Fortune confirms six NBE foreign exchange auctions, each $140 million, running through December for the Ethiopian fiscal year's second quarter. Addis Fortune (@addis_fortune) ETHIOPIAN BUSINESS DAILY (TELEGRAM) * Oromia Bank pre-tax profit up 49% to Birr 3.82 billion Oromia Bank reports pre-tax profit up 49 percent to 3.82 billion birr for 2025/26, presented at its 17th Ordinary and 6th Extraordinary shareholders' meetings in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Business Daily (Telegram) * Awash Bank launches five Mastercard card services Awash Bank launches five card services with Mastercard, expanding domestic and international payment options, at a ceremony in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Business Daily (Telegram) BANK OF ABYSSINIA (TELEGRAM) * Bank of Abyssinia holds 30th regular and 17th emergency shareholders' meeting Bank of Abyssinia holds its 30th Regular and 17th Emergency Shareholders' Meeting at the Adwa Victory Memorial; it will present proceedings as they occur. Bank of Abyssinia (Telegram) * Bank of Abyssinia holds 30th regular and 17th extraordinary shareholders' meeting Abyssinia Bank's meeting presented 2025/26 results: income 55.24 billion birr, gross profit 15.85 billion birr, assets 381.50 billion birr, $966.64 million forex earnings; capital increase approved. Bank of Abyssinia (Telegram) STOCKMARKET.ET (TELEGRAM) * Oromia Bank launches three international Visa card tiers Oromia Bank launches three international Visa card tiers—Classic, Gold and Platinum—developed with Visa and Premier Switch Solutions, presented at Skylight Hotel. stockmarket.et (Telegram) * Abay Bank posts Birr 6.22bn pre-tax profit Abay Bank reports 6.22 billion birr pre-tax profit for FY ended June 30, 2026, up 47.6 percent; net profit 4.55 billion birr; operating income 13.12 billion birr. stockmarket.et (Telegram) AWASH BANK (TELEGRAM) * Awash Bank and Mastercard Launch Five Card Services Awash Bank unveils five new card services with Mastercard, announced on Telegram citing EBC.ET NEWS. Awash Bank (Telegram) FANA (AMHARIC) * Ethiopia and UAE agree to strengthen banking and finance cooperation Ethiopia and the UAE reaffirmed commitments to expand banking and finance cooperation in Bangkok talks between Governor Eyob Tekalign and UAE Central Bank Governor Khalid Mohammed Balama. Fana (Amharic) CAPITAL ETHIOPIA * Oromia Bank posts 49% profit rise to 3.82 billion Birr Oromia Bank's pre-tax profit rose 49 percent to 3.82 billion birr; revenue reached 15.24 billion birr, 99.9 percent of target, assets and deposits each up 24 percent. Capital Ethiopia REUTERS (ETHIOPIA, VIA GOOGLE NEWS) * Ethiopia's central bank joins PAPSS Reuters reports Ethiopia's central bank has joined PAPSS, the African payments system, with no further details on terms. Reuters (Ethiopia, via Google News) DASHEN BANK (TELEGRAM) * Dashen Bank posts foreign exchange rates for Meskerem 30, 2019 E.C. Dashen Bank publishes its FX rate for Meskerem 30, 2019 E.C., stating customers using international money transfer operators receive a 10 percent incentive bonus. Dashen Bank (Telegram) COMMERCIAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA (TELEGRAM) * Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Runs Awareness Event in Assosa on Interest-Free Banking Commercial Bank of Ethiopia held an interest-free banking awareness event in Assosa with FSD Ethiopia, discussing its CBE Nur service and targeting nearly 5 million citizens. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (Telegram) ETHIOPIAN BUSINESS REVIEW * Bank of Abyssinia's non-performing loans triple Bank of Abyssinia's non-performing loans tripled to 15.64 billion birr, about 6.1 percent of gross loans, while pre-tax profit reached 15.85 billion birr, its audited report shows. Ethiopian Business Review ADDIS FORTUNE * Bank of Abyssinia reports 15.85b Br profit before tax Abyssinia Bank reported 2025/26 pre-tax profit of 15.85 billion birr, up 56.9 percent, net profit up 58.1 percent at 11.54 billion birr; deposits 318.79 billion birr. Addis Fortune TELEBIRR (TELEGRAM) * Ethio Telecom marks eight years under Frehiwot Tamiru as she is appointed Minister of Innovation and Technology Ethio Telecom reports 90.1 million customers, 215.8 billion birr revenue under Frehiwot Tamiru; Telebirr exceeds 60 million users, 9.13 trillion birr processed. Tamiru became Innovation Minister. Telebirr (Telegram) --- The Observatory · https://observatory.mgorsky.net/archive/130/