Ethiopian Bourse Expands to Seven Members As Two Banks Join

Mintesinot Niggusie

The Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) has admitted First Addis Investment Bank and Siinqee Investment Bank as trading members, lifting the total number of intermediaries on the exchange to seven as the country’s fledgling capital market continues to take shape.

The onboarding follows licensing approval from the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) and the completion of operational and technical requirements set by the exchange. Both institutions are now authorised to operate as licensed trading members within ESX, acting as intermediaries between investors and issuers on the platform.

Their entry marks another step in the gradual buildout of Ethiopia’s organised securities market, which is still in its early phase of development.

First Addis Investment Bank and Siinqee Investment Bank will provide brokerage access and related financial services to investors, helping to facilitate participation in the exchange as it prepares for broader market activity.

Siinqee Investment Bank, a subsidiary of Siinqee Bank, received its investment banking licence in late 2025, joining a small but growing group of institutions positioned to support capital market operations. First Addis Investment Bank has also been active in early-stage advisory and market development services linked to Ethiopia’s emerging exchange ecosystem.

“We are delighted to welcome Siinqee Investment Bank and First Addis Investment Bank to the ESX family,” said Tilahun E. Kassahun (PhD), chief executive of ESX. “The admission of these two institutions reflects the growing institutional readiness of Ethiopia’s capital market.”

He added that their participation would widen access for both retail and institutional investors, including domestic and foreign participants.

ESX said it continues to support members through capacity-building programmes and the provision of technological infrastructure, including broker back-office systems and order management platforms designed to support efficient market operations.

The exchange, established as a public-private partnership, is positioning itself as the central trading venue for securities in Ethiopia, although full-scale market operations are still being phased in as infrastructure and regulatory frameworks develop.