Ethiopia: Reforms Help Build Dynamic Financial Sector, Says Nbe Governor

What the report says

Ethiopia’s central bank says the country is using a broader package of macroeconomic reforms to make its financial system more dynamic, expand access to finance and strengthen institutions. The comments came from National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Eyob Tekalign during a fireside discussion at the close of the three-day Ethiopia Finance Forum 2026 in Addis Ababa, according to Ethiopian News Agency reporting distributed by AllAfrica.

Eyob framed the reform program as an ongoing process rather than a set of stand-alone announcements. He said authorities are working to correct long-running distortions, including problems in the foreign exchange market, and to support a more market-oriented system. He also pointed to the central bank’s efforts to curb inflation, saying its policy committee reviews price trends regularly and adjusts measures as needed.

The governor said the reforms are intended to reach more parts of society, including smallholder farmers and rural women, through microfinance and broader inclusion efforts. He also highlighted housing finance, banking and insurance competition, digital infrastructure and financial literacy as priorities for building a stronger financial sector. In general, the remarks suggest Ethiopia is trying to pair liberalization with tighter oversight and wider access, which could matter for businesses, households and investors watching the pace of economic change.