The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has dispatched a high-level delegation to South Africa as part of its ongoing efforts to deepen ties with Ethiopian communities abroad and attract greater foreign exchange inflows. The team, led by CBE President Abe Sano, began its official programme in Pretoria on Sunday, where it was welcomed by Ethiopia’s Ambassador to South Africa, Dalil Kedir, along with other senior diplomats.
During the visit, the delegation will hold a series of community engagements with Ethiopians and second-generation diaspora members across Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and nearby towns. The discussions are expected to focus on critical issues such as expanding access to banking services, strengthening remittance channels, and creating opportunities for diaspora-led investments in Ethiopia.
CBE stated that the outreach programme is designed to encourage participation from Ethiopians living in South Africa, while also building trust and cooperation with the younger diaspora generation. The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the bank to establish long-term partnerships with diaspora communities worldwide, enhancing Ethiopia’s financial integration with global markets.
The move comes at a time when Ethiopia is seeking to improve its foreign currency reserves and diversify inflows beyond traditional channels. By connecting directly with its citizens abroad, CBE hopes to streamline remittance processes and provide secure, cost-effective platforms that benefit both senders and recipients.
This latest mission in South Africa follows a series of similar international engagements by the state-owned bank. Earlier this year, CBE unveiled a 50 billion birr diaspora mobilisation programme in Dubai, aiming to channel remittances and investments into Ethiopia’s financial system. In addition, the bank recently entered into a partnership with UAE-based fintech application Botim, which allows users to send money across borders while maintaining secure digital communication services.
The bank has also turned its attention to neighbouring African countries, sending representatives to Kenya to study successful mobile money platforms such as M-PESA. Insights from these initiatives are expected to inform CBE’s digital transformation agenda and strengthen financial inclusion at home.
As Ethiopia’s largest financial institution, commanding the lion’s share of banking assets in the country, CBE is positioning itself as a central player in mobilising diaspora resources. Its overseas programmes highlight a strategic approach to engage communities abroad, build financial trust, and create new pathways for sustainable foreign exchange inflows.
By investing in direct dialogue with Ethiopians in South Africa, the bank underscores its commitment to bridging the gap between diaspora communities and Ethiopia’s financial sector. Analysts note that these types of engagements could play a pivotal role in enhancing the country’s economic resilience, particularly at a time when foreign exchange remains a critical challenge for the national economy.
With similar programmes planned in other regions, CBE is making it clear that tapping into the diaspora is no longer a secondary priority but a core pillar of its growth and internationalisation strategy.
