Bahrain’s iib Group Explores Ethiopia Financial Market Entry

June 6, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

Bahrain-based Intercontinental Investment Bank (iib Group) is exploring entry into Ethiopia’s financial market following discussions with the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) over investment opportunities and licensing procedures.

The talks, held recently in Addis Ababa, brought together ECMA officials and a delegation led by iib Group Chief Executive Sohail Sultan to discuss the state of Ethiopia’s emerging capital market and the regulatory framework governing foreign participation.

According to ECMA, discussions centred on the investment landscape, capital market development and the licensing pathways available to international financial institutions seeking to establish operations in Ethiopia.

The engagement follows approval from the National Bank of Ethiopia allowing iib Group to establish a representative office in the country.

ECMA said the bank expressed interest in expanding its engagement under the authority’s capital market licensing framework as Ethiopia opens its financial sector to greater private and foreign participation.

The authority said it remains focused on building a transparent and internationally aligned regulatory environment capable of supporting market development.