The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has disbursed over Birr 264 billion in loans over the past eight months, with the majority directed toward the private sector, according to its president, Abe Sano.
Presenting the bank’s performance report to the House of Peoples’ Representatives’ Standing Committee on Public Enterprises, Abe highlighted CBE’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and introducing new loan products. Of the total Birr 264.65 billion disbursed, 88.2 percent went to private sector borrowers, bringing the bank’s total outstanding loans to Birr 1.39 trillion.
To enhance accessibility, CBE has partnered with Ethio Telecom to offer digital loans. Over the past eight months, Birr 3.9 billion in loans have been issued through digital platforms, benefiting 717,000 customers as of February 28, 2025.
The bank is also preparing to support startups with tailored loan services. Additionally, preparations to expand digital lending are in the final testing phase, aiming to further simplify access to credit for the public.
Source: FMC
