FSD Ethiopia Kicks Off First Annual Climate Finance Summit: A Key Step Towards Building aGreen, Resilient Economy

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Today, at the Skylight Hotel, FSD Ethiopia, alongside the G7 partnership for women’s digital financial inclusion , AfDB and World Bankhosted anInternational Women’s Day event themed “Unlocking Potentials: Financial Inclusion and Capital Markets for Women’s Economic Empowerment.” The gathering united government officials, financial experts, and development partners to celebrate women’s contributions and advance Ethiopia’s financial markets as a tool for gender equity.
H.E. Semereta Sewasew, State Minister of Finance, officially opened the event, stating, “Financial inclusion empowers women to start businesses, create jobs, and support their families, contributing significantly to the country’s growth.” Highlighting Ethiopia’s progress, she noted that digital accounts exceeded 102.8 million by mid-2023, driven by platforms like Telebirr and CBE Birr, with digital payments reaching five trillion Birr in 2023 under the Digital Ethiopia 2025 initiative. Yet, she acknowledged persistent gaps, calling for deeper collaboration to ensure women benefit fully from these advances.
Hikmet Abdella, CEO of FSD Ethiopia, reinforced this vision: “Access to capital markets is a cornerstone of equity and progress.” She thanked partners, including the G7P, AfDB, World Bank and Ethiopian leaders like Ethiopian Capital Market Authority Director General Hana Tehelku and Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) CEO Dr. Tilahun Kassahun, for driving this agenda.
The event spotlighted Ethiopia’s emerging capital markets, notably the ESX, launched under the 2021 Capital Market Proclamation with a goal of 90 listings in a decade. Grace Kyokunda, AfDB Chief Investment Officer, emphasized, “Capital markets can unlock funding for women-led businesses, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation.” She detailed AfDB’s Enhancing the National Switch of Ethiopia Project—backed by a $2.33 million ADFI grant—targeting 60 percent financial inclusion for excluded Ethiopians, especially women, by 2025, alongside the AFAWA initiative unlocking billions for women entrepreneurs.
Seifu Teshome, UNCDF Country Coordinator, added, “Expanding digital services and inclusive products like savings and insurance are key to making Ethiopia’s financial markets work for women.” He stressed partnerships to support rural access and gender-responsive policies.
Discussions highlighted barriers—limited digital literacy, infrastructure gaps, and biases in funding—while exploring solutions like crowdfunding and gender bonds. Sewasew urged, “Innovative funding methods can support women entrepreneurs. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities for a stronger economy.”
“This is a collective effort to unlock women’s potential,” Hikmet concluded. With Ethiopia’s financial sector evolving rapidly, the event underscored a shared commitment to inclusive growth.
For more information, contact: Samson Berhane, Communications and Advocacy Specialist, FSD Ethiopia, +251-937-447-258. END