The recent shift to a market-driven foreign exchange (FX) system in Ethiopia has sparked both opportunities and risks for the banking sector, according to industry experts. While the flow of forex from outside increased following macroeconomic reforms, the anticipated growth in foreign exchange transactions has not materialized as expected.
Since July 29, 2024, commodities such as gold and coffee, which were previously traded on the black market, have begun to be processed through banks. However, experts indicate that the development in this area over the past three months has fallen short of expectations.
Tewodros Hailu, Director of Awash Bank’s Banking Transformation Directorate, commented on the implications of the government’s reforms on the financial sector. “Foreign exchange has brought risk to banks,” he stated. “We were previously focused on local currency, but now FX exchange has become critically risky.”
Tewodros also noted that the introduction of new foreign banks into the Ethiopian market could intensify competition for local banks, particularly given their relatively low capital and assets in dollar terms. He highlighted a significant challenge facing the sector: a lack of trained personnel. “We are working to address this issue,” he added.
Despite these challenges, Habtamu Workineh, Director of External Economic Analysis and International Relations at the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), reported that banks’ foreign exchange reserves have reached $600 million within just four months. He noted that the NBE has licensed 12 non-bank foreign exchange offices, which have conducted transactions totaling $774,000 as of November 27, 2024. Of this amount, $540,000 was sold through these offices.
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