Ethiopia’s Young Stock Exchange Gets Its First Woman Boss

August 8, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia’s young stock exchange has appointed its first woman chief executive, replacing the founding boss as the country’s fledgling capital market enters a new phase of expansion. The Ethiopian Securities Exchange said on Thursday that Tilahun Esmael Kassahun (PhD) had resigned as chief executive and would be replaced by Yodit Kassa, who has been involved with the exchange since its project phase.

Yodit previously served as chief business officer before becoming chief operating officer, where she was involved in building the exchange’s operations, market development and strategic growth. Her appointment provides continuity as ESX shifts from establishing its institutional foundations towards expanding the market. The exchange said Yodit would focus on increasing the number of issuers and market participants, expanding investment opportunities, introducing new products and market segments and strengthening market infrastructure.

Tilahun led ESX from its inception, overseeing the establishment of its governance, technology, operations and staffing. During his tenure, the exchange brought together government stakeholders, domestic and foreign investors and other market participants and completed a capital raise. The leadership change comes as Ethiopia seeks to develop a securities market that can provide companies with alternatives to bank financing and give investors access to a wider range of assets. The exchange began trading in 2024 and has since admitted its first securities to the market.

ESX is Ethiopia’s first organised securities exchange. It was established as a public-private partnership under the Capital Market Proclamation of 2021 and is licensed by the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority. The exchange operates across equities, fixed income and money-market segments and also serves as a self-regulatory organisation. Yodit will take charge as ESX moves to deepen those markets, with the exchange saying its next phase will centre on bringing more issuers and investors into the market and developing additional products and segments.

Source: FSX Business News