On Wednesday, the CBE Capital Investment Bank, S.C., achieved a noteworthy milestone by joining the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX).
CBE Capital Investment Bank, S.C., opened as the nation’s first private investment bank on March 22, 2025, after receiving a license from the Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority (ECMA).
This comes after Wegagen Capital, another private investment bank, recently opened for business, indicating that the financial industry in Ethiopia is becoming more competitive.
Major turning point for CBE Capital Investment Bank, S.C.
A major turning point for the bank and the country’s emerging capital markets is CBE Capital’s ESX membership.
By extending its broking services for equity and fixed-income instruments, CBE Capital’s participation in ESX gives institutional and individual investors more access to Ethiopia’s developing capital markets.
According to the bank, this participation demonstrates its dedication to providing clients with cutting-edge investment opportunities and financial advice services that empower them.
Ethiopia’s economic growth
CBE Capital has brought in seasoned experts with experience in investment banking and broking from Ethiopia and the U.S. diaspora to help achieve its objectives and support Ethiopia’s anticipated economic growth, which Goldman Sachs projects would reach $1.6 trillion in 25 years.
In an effort to assemble a strong team, the bank is also aggressively recruiting additional personnel, such as summer interns from domestic and foreign colleges.
Since its founding, CBE Capital has concentrated on offering investment banking services to clients in industries such as manufacturing, real estate, and banking.
It also helps clients get ready for regulatory registrations, mergers and acquisitions by becoming a member of ESX, initial public offerings, and private placements.
The bank hopes to use its global experience and local understandingial environment in Ethiopia by becoming a member of ESX.
Launch of Wegagen Capital Investment Bank S.C.
Relatedly, Wegagen Capital Investment Bank S.C., a Wegagen Bank affiliate, officially launched for business, becoming the first private investment bank in Ethiopia to function under the recently established capital market framework.
ESX CEO Dr. Tilahun Ismael and State Minister of Trade & Regional Integration Yasmin Wohabrebbi were among the prominent individuals that attended the inaugural event, which took place at the Hilton Addis Ababa.
Wegagen Capital, founded by visionary organisations and individuals, had ETB 385 million in paid-up capital.
The board’s chairman, Dr. Aklilu Wubet, outlined the bank’s history by saying, “One of the biggest challenges during formation was the scarcity of trained professionals in investment banking. To address this, we invested in capacity building, brought in international expertise, and conducted rigorous profitability analysis.”
Wegagen Capital’s CEO, Brutawit Dawit Abdi, described the bank’s goals, saying, “As Ethiopia’s pioneering private investment bank, Wegagen Capital carries the responsibility to lead with integrity, innovation, and impact.”
Services offered by Wegagen Capital Investment Bank S.C.
The bank provides a broad range of services to government agencies, businesses, and high-net-worth people, such as strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising through securities, IPO underwriting, trading, broking, and intermediation.
Dr. Tilahun Ismael highlighted the launch’s wider significance, saying, “Capital formation is everyone’s responsibility. We must demystify the concept of capital markets for ordinary Ethiopians, foster a culture of saving, and build the trust necessary to attract foreign investment.”
Wegagen Capital supports the expanding financial sector in Ethiopia while operating separately from Wegagen Bank, guaranteeing impartial governance.