National Bank of Ethiopia

H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign (PhD), Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, held a high-level meeting with Mr. Leslie Maasdorp, Chief Executive Officer of British International Investment (BII), for a substantive exchange on Ethiopia's ongoing economic transformation and expanded investment opportunities.

The discussion centered on Ethiopia's far-reaching economic reforms, with particular focus on the financial sector. Mr. Maasdorp commended the courageous reform measures undertaken by the NBE, acknowledging the tangible results already achieved, including price stability, financial deepening, foreign exchange liberalization and the opening of the banking sector to greater competition. Both parties engaged in an in-depth dialogue on the current trajectory of banking and financial sector reform in Ethiopia, reflecting the shared recognition of the sector's pivotal role in sustaining growth.

BII outlined its strategic priority sectors in Ethiopia under its new strategy, which includes financial services, financial inclusion, sustainable financing, and infrastructure, particularly in the energy space — all of which Governor Eyob attested are squarely aligned with Ethiopia's national economic reform agenda. Furthermore, the Governor warmly welcomed BII's growing presence in Ethiopia, applauding the recent increase in investment allocations to its Ethiopian portfolio and encouraging continued and deepened engagement. He reaffirmed the NBE's unwavering commitment to sustaining reform momentum and its ongoing efforts and collaboration with key stakeholders to navigate both regional and global economic headwinds.

IMF Reaffirms Strong Support for Ethiopia’s Reform Agenda Amid Global Pressures

Governor H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign and H.E. Ahmed Shide met with Kristalina Georgieva Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, on the margins of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings.

The delegation briefed the Managing Director on sustained progress under Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, noting continued momentum despite external headwinds, including spillovers from the evolving situation in the Middle East.

Discussions highlighted positive macroeconomic trends - strong growth, easing inflation, and improved fiscal and external balances - while acknowledging mounting pressures from global shocks, particularly supply chain disruptions and rising fuel and fertilizer prices.

The Ethiopian delegation underscored the importance of timely, predictable, and scaled-up international support to help navigate current challenges while advancing medium and long term development priorities, including climate resilience.

Managing Director Georgieva commended the reform progress and reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to provide strong, coordinated support to sustain reforms and meet near-term financing needs, in close collaboration with the World Bank.

Governor calls on African countries to overcome the fear of trading with one another.

At a high-level discussion on Three Pillars, One Integration Agenda, NBE Governor H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign emphasized that deeper continental integration requires a shift in mindset, moving beyond hesitation toward actively embracing intra-African trade.

Highlighting the progress under AfCFTA, SAATM, and the Free Movement Protocol, the Governor underscored that while frameworks are in place, unlocking their full potential depends on confidence, coordination, and commitment among African nations.

H.E. Dr. Eyob noted that strengthening connectivity, easing trade barriers, and enabling the free movement of people are essential pillars for accelerating growth and building a more resilient, self-reliant African economy.

Governor Engages IMF MCM Department on Strengthening Policy Frameworks and Institutional Capacity

H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, held a productive engagement with the IMF Monetary and Capital Markets (MCM) Department, focusing on Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen monetary policy frameworks, enhance analytical capacity, and advance financial sector resilience.

The Governor expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support and underscored the importance of sustained and expanded capacity building to further strengthen institutional capabilities and support ongoing reforms. The discussion reaffirmed the value of strong, well-coordinated partnerships in complementing Ethiopia’s nationally owned reform agenda and advancing long-term institutional development.

Ethiopia’s resilience hailed at high-level IMF panel.

At the IMF World Bank Group Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, D.C., NBE Governor H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign joined the high-level panel on “Adapting to a New External Financing Landscape,” where he outlined how Ethiopia is navigating a constrained global financing environment through strong, nationally owned reforms.

Governor Eyob highlighted Ethiopia’s comprehensive homegrown reform agenda, focused on strengthening the exchange rate framework, modernizing monetary policy, enhancing domestic resource mobilization, and advancing structural reforms to transition toward a more private sector-driven economy. These efforts have strengthened economic resilience, reflected in increased exports, improved reserve buffers, and enhanced revenue performance.

H.E. Dr. Eyob emphasized that while domestically owned reforms are central to Ethiopia’s progress, strong and coordinated partnerships remain critical. He underscored the importance of sustained support from development partners to complement national efforts, particularly in a period of heightened global uncertainty.

The discussion reinforced Ethiopia’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability, advancing reforms, and building a more resilient and inclusive economy in the face of evolving global challenges. Governor Eyob concluded by highlighting a growing national aspiration for transformation and prosperity, positioning Ethiopia as an emerging African beacon.

Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, took center stage at a Capacity Development Talk session on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, presenting Ethiopia’s comprehensive financial sector reform agenda to an audience of senior officials from the IMF, World Bank, and European Commission.

Speaking to the theme of building markets, institutions, and stability in a challenging context, Governor Eyob outlined the structural transformation underway in Ethiopia’s financial system as part of the country’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda. He detailed the shift toward an interest rate-based monetary policy framework, the transition to a market-determined exchange rate, and the sweeping overhaul of the country’s regulatory architecture anchored by a new central bank proclamation and modernized banking legislation.

Central to the Governor’s message was the principle of ownership. Ethiopia’s reforms, he stressed, are nationally designed and strategically sequenced with technical assistance that is demand-driven and aligned with the country’s own development priorities, not externally prescribed.

Looking ahead, Governor Eyob pointed to deepening domestic financial markets and opening the sector to foreign investment as defining priorities for the next phase of reform, underscoring that durable progress requires sustained institutional capacity, policy continuity, and a financial system built to serve a growing, private sector-led economy.

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The official and up to date list of authorized Money Transfer Agents is available on the National Bank of Ethiopia website at: nbe.gov.et/mta

PRESS RELEASE | NATIONAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA AND PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA STRENGTHEN STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP

PUBLIC NOTICE | NOTICE ON AUTHORIZED LICENSED MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE PROVIDERS

The official and up to date list of authorized Money Transfer Agents is available on the National Bank of Ethiopia website at: https://nbe.gov.et/mta/