Ethiopia has launched the Ethiopian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ETiCPA), creating a national body responsible for licensing and regulating the accounting profession as part of wider efforts to improve financial reporting and strengthen transparency.

Established under Proclamation No. 1372/2025, the institute is mandated to certify accountants, set ethical and professional standards and provide continuous training. Authorities say the new body will help close long-standing gaps in the sector, where the number of certified practitioners remains low despite large numbers of graduates entering the field each year.

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said the launch marks an important step in ongoing financial sector reforms. He noted that the institute is expected to support the development of a trusted profession, strengthen public understanding of financial matters and improve the quality of information available to policymakers. He added that the initiative will contribute to economic progress and institutional transformation.

For many years, Ethiopian accountants obtained professional certification from foreign bodies. Ahmed said ETiCPA will allow this work to be carried out locally, expanding the pool of qualified professionals and reducing reliance on external institutions.

National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Eyob Tekalign (PhD) said the shortage of certified accountants has limited transparency in financial reporting across institutions. He noted that ETiCPA will help address these weaknesses by establishing standards for accounting, auditing, and financial reporting.