@UN_Women – Ethiopian Business Review

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Ethiopia has officially launched the Ethiopian Insurance Women Association (EthIWA), a national milestone set to foster professional advancement, ethical leadership, and continental collaboration among women in insurance.

The launch took place during the 51st Conference and Annual General Assembly of the African Insurance Organization (AIO), held this week in Addis Ababa. After nearly two decades of absence from the African Insurance Women Association (AIWA) due to the lack of a national women’s platform, Ethiopia now joins the continental network through the formation of EthIWA.

At the helm of this groundbreaking association is none other than Meseret Bezabih, CEO of Hibret Insurance S.C. and one of the most respected figures in Ethiopia’s insurance landscape. Elected as the first president of EthIWA, Meseret brings decades of experience, a record of corporate leadership, and a passion for women’s advancement to the role.

“Today, I am here to herald good news about the establishment of Ethiopian Insurance Women Association (EthIWA) at the 20th birthday of the African Insurance Women Association (AIWA) established in 2005,” she announced in her keynote speech at the launch event.

She highlighted AIWA’s core principles as a non-religious, non-political, and non-ethnic professional association, dedicated to the growth of women in the African insurance industry.

“The success of any goal is unattainable without the active participation of women,” she emphasized, adding, “Africa and Ethiopia are home to numerous thriving institutions led by women, a testament to the value of empowering female professionals.”

Meseret also reflected on the deeper qualities women bring to leadership: care, resilience, and commitment, traits often nurtured through personal roles such as motherhood and caregiving, yet deeply impactful in corporate governance and sectoral growth.

EthIWA’s establishment is expected to catalyze mentorship, leadership development, and cross-border collaboration. As a member of AIWA, the association will give Ethiopian insurance professionals a long-overdue voice on continental platforms and help elevate local standards to global levels.

In closing, Meseret reaffirmed EthIWA’s dedication: “We are determined and ready to work in full solidarity with AIWA to promote the advancement of women in Africa’s insurance industry.”

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Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coopbank) has achieved what its CEO described as an “unbelievable” milestone in expanding women’s access to finance, disbursing ETB 24.5 billion to 1.47 million loan accounts, 80% of which are held by women.

The announcement was made by CEO Derbie Asfaw during a panel discussion under the theme “Promoting Women’s Access to Finance” at the Ethiopia Finance Forum 2025, an event that brought together key stakeholders in the financial sector to address gender disparities and promote inclusive growth.

A major contributor to this achievement is Coopbank’s women-focused loan platform, Michu Kiya, which was launched just eight months ago. Since its introduction, the platform has disbursed ETB 7.3 billion to over one million accounts, signaling rapid uptake and a significant demand for targeted financial services among women.

“This is unbelievable for me,” said Derbie. “At Coopbank, we believe innovation isn’t just a tech solution, and financial inclusion isn’t a compliance box—both are part of our purpose to empower communities and transform lives.”

The milestone comes as Coopbank celebrates 20 years of operation, having grown into a ETB 189.4 billion financial institution. Over two decades, the bank has carved out a strong reputation for inclusive banking, now serving 17 million customers across Ethiopia.

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Heineken Ethiopia, in partnership with Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD), officially handed over a new ETB 33 million animal fattening and food processing project today. The initiative is designed to uplift impoverished households in Kilinto and Koye Fetche through sustainable, livestock-based, and small-business income generation schemes.

Targeting 75 households—30 in Kilinto and 45 in Koye Fetche—the project aims to bolster grassroots livelihoods by integrating communities into profitable agricultural value chains. Beneficiaries will engage in animal fattening, dairy production, poultry farming, and small-scale agribusinesses, sectors that remain essential for local food security and economic resilience.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Heineken Ethiopia’s Managing Director, Bart De Keninck emphasized the transformative impact of livestock farming on rural and peri-urban communities. They pledged continued support through technical training, market linkages, and sustainable management practices to ensure the project’s long-term success.

The multi-pronged initiative provides selected households with livestock, feed, veterinary services, training in food processing, and business development skills. It places a strong emphasis on empowering women, female-headed households, and people with disabilities, identified through a collaborative selection process involving Heineken, MSD, community members, and local government representatives.

Beyond economic upliftment, the project seeks to strengthen social cohesion and nurture local entrepreneurship, with Heineken pledging continued support through technical capacity building, market linkages, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices.

Veteran Insurance Leader Meseret Bezabih to Chair Historic Women’s Association in Ethiopia

Coopbank CEO Hails ‘Unbelievable’ Milestone in Women’s Financial Inclusion

Heineken Ethiopia Launches ETB 33 Million Livelihood Project to Empower Vulnerable Families in Kilinto and Koye Fetche