News & Articles
NBE Issues Public Warning Against Unauthorized Money Transfer Operators
The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has issued a fresh public warning against the use of unlicensed Money Transfer Agents (MTAs) and illegal Hawala networks, naming seventeen operators that are not authorised to provide remittance services to Ethiopia. In a public notice dated 28 August 2026, the central bank cautioned all customers, members of the Ethiopian diaspora, and the general public to exercise vigilance and use only authorised remittance channels when sending or receiving funds. The NBE emphasised that transacting through unauthorised money transfer agents and illegal Hawala operators may result in financial loss, delays in payment, account restrictions, and legal and regulatory action against both senders and recipients, including family members receiving funds. The NBE has explicitly stated that funds transferred through such channels are at risk of confiscation on money laundering grounds.
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Operating in Addis Ababa with a Regional License: Understanding the Legal Framework
The Addis Ababa City Administration Revenue Bureau recently announced a sweeping enforcement action targeting vehicle importers operating within the capital using business licenses issued by regional states. The Bureau has mandated that such importers must either transfer their licenses to Addis Ababa or properly register branch offices, comply with all tax obligations including monthly Value Added Tax and annual income tax payments, utilize proper sales receipts and registers, and cease employing unlicensed commission agents for vehicle sales. This legal analysis examines the statutory and regulatory basis for the Bureau’s actions, the legal implications for affected businesses, and the broader compliance framework governing commercial registration and licensing in Ethiopia.
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Ethiopia’s Collective Investment Schemes Framework Now Fully Operational
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) has announced a significant milestone in the development of Ethiopia’s capital markets. As of September 23, 2026, the Collective Investment Schemes Operation Directive No. 1150/2026 has been officially registered and approved by the FDRE Ministry of Justice.
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NBE Prohibits Upfront Interest and Pre-Maturity Compounding for Microfinance Institutions
The National Bank of Ethiopia has extended to microfinance institutions a prohibition on the upfront recognition and payment of deposit interest and on the compounding of such interest with principal before maturity. The measure follows a comparable instruction issued to commercial banks in September 2026 and forms part of a series of supervisory interventions by the central bank in the area of deposit interest practices.
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Ethiopia Joins PAPSS: What Does it Mean for Banks, Fintechs and Cross-Border Trade
On 15 October 2026, Ethiopia officially joined the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a continental payment infrastructure designed to facilitate cross-border payments in African currencies. The announcement was made by National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) Governor Eyob Tekalign and PAPSS Chief Executive Officer Mike Ogbalu III at the Ethiopia Finance Forum in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s accession marks an important development in the country’s engagement with regional financial infrastructure and its efforts to deepen trade and payment connections across Africa.
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