30/09/2026
Bunna Bank Joins Second Ethiopia Finance Forum as Reform Drive Continues
The second Ethiopia Finance Forum officially opened at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, gathering policymakers, banking executives, international investors, and development partners for a three-day summit to drive the nation’s financial sector reforms forward.
Opening the event, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh called for a strategic pivot from economic stabilization to long-term structural transformation. He urged financial institutions to deepen capital markets, strengthen digital infrastructure, and significantly expand access to credit for women, youth, smallholder farmers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Delivering the keynote address, titled “From Reform to Results,” National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) Governor H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign outlined the central bank’s roadmap to convert recent policy shifts into tangible economic growth.
"Every contribution, organized, becomes one enduring capability," Governor Eyob stated, highlighting progress in foreign exchange reform, digital finance, and financial inclusion.
"Ethiopia’s transformation will depend on our collective ability to convene, convert, and compound national capability."
He added that these accomplishments lay the groundwork for the central bank’s NBE 2030 Strategy, which aligns with the nation's broader 2025–2050 Grand Strategy for sustainable economic growth.
The opening day featured a high-level panel on sustaining macroeconomic momentum, featuring Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa, NBE Vice Governor Fikadu Digafe, and senior representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and MIDROC Investment Group.
Alongside key policy sessions on agricultural lending, skills development, and housing finance, an interactive exhibition showcased market innovations from fintechs and commercial banks. Among them, Bunna Bank featured a prominent exhibition booth presenting its latest retail and digital banking solutions, including its "Abol" digital finance suite.
The forum continues through October 1 with specialized technical sessions and investment workshops.
