Collateral Not Required: How Kifiya’s AI Platform Signals a Path to Rewriting Ethiopia’s Financial Innovation Story

Nearly half of Ethiopian adults remain without a bank account, yet AI is proving to be capable of helping bridge the gap. Platforms like Qena are enabling credit to MSMEs & traders with no collateral.

FenanPay Steps into Ethiopia’s Competitive Fintech Market

FenanPay has secured a commercialization license from the National Bank of Ethiopia after piloting more than 2.5 million transactions worth 1.5 billion Birr.

Premier Switch Solutions Secures Visa AVP Status, Unlocks International Markets

Premier Switch Solutions (PSS) has joined the Visa Approved Vendor Program, becoming only the fourth company in East Africa to achieve this global certification.

Kazana Group’s Smilepay Debuts as Ethiopia’s Latest Licensed Remittance Platform

Smilepay, a Kazana Group portfolio company, just entered Ethiopia's digital remittance market. Licensed by NBE, it is integrated with 29 banks and aims for cross-border payment efficiency.

Ethiopia Mandates Government Offices to Accept Digital Payments from All Service Providers

Despite reforms allowing fintechs and non-bank entities to enter the market, unfair trade practices and government favoritism have been prevalent in Ethiopia’s digital financial services sector.

Making Space for Fintech Innovation in Ethiopia

Digital lending, mobile money, and online banking need more than ideas, they need an ecosystem with regulatory support and capital access. Sandboxes offer a critical bridge.

Lessons for Ethiopia’s Digital Lending Sector from Kenya’s BNPL Collapse

Lipa Later, a BNPL startup from Kenya recently entered into administration after raising millions in funding. Its story serves as a cautionary tale for Ethiopia’s emerging digital lending industry.

Yared Endale Appointed Visa’s Eastern Africa GM, Eyes SMEs, Cross-Border Payments

Yared Endale, General Manager for Eastern Africa at Visa, shares insights on the country’s payment ecosystem, financial inclusion, and the road ahead.