@NBE – Ethiopian Business Review

The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) successfully conducted its first bi-weekly foreign exchange auction today, marking a key milestone in its ongoing efforts to stabilize the forex market.

According to NBE’s official announcement, the weighted average exchange rate for successful bids settled at Birr 131.7095 per US Dollar, with 12 banks securing foreign exchange allocations.

This auction is part of the central bank’s broader strategy to enhance forex liquidity for the private sector following Ethiopia’s recent macroeconomic reforms. It follows NBE’s decision to launch regular bi-weekly auctions, a move driven by improved forex reserves and increased capital inflows.

The next auction is scheduled to take place in two weeks, with details on the exact date and time to be disclosed one day prior.

By maintaining a structured approach to foreign exchange distribution, the NBE aims to reinforce market confidence while supporting broader economic stability. Market participants will closely monitor upcoming auctions to assess trends in forex availability and pricing.

Despite Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms, fixed-income earners continue to feel the pressure of rising living costs. Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance, acknowledged that while certain segments of society are benefiting from increased earnings, those with stable salaries still struggle with inflation.

Speaking at a public forum organized by the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Eyob explained that the reforms are aimed at stabilizing the economy, particularly by narrowing the gap between the official and black market exchange rates. He highlighted the government’s efforts to ease inflationary pressures, including allocating 70 billion birr to fuel subsidies and refraining from imposing additional taxes.

He also noted that structural adjustments in production and supply have contributed to stabilizing prices, but further improvements are still needed. To fully address the challenges, he emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the government and the public.

Ethiopia’s Central Bank Concludes First Bi-Weekly FX Auction at ETB 131.71

Rising Costs Squeeze Fixed-Income Ethiopians Amid Economic Overhaul