On February 26, 2025, NEWFin with collaboataion with the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) hosted a landmark event titled “Building an Inclusive and Sustainable Capital Market in Ethiopia: Making the Capital Markets Work for Women” at the Skylight Hotel’s Abyssinia Hall. The event brought together industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for promotion gender inclusivity and sustainability in Ethiopia’s capital markets.
The day began with opening remarks by Tilahun E. Kassahun, CEO of ESX, who emphasized the importance of creating equitable opportunities for women in the financial sector. The morning session featured insightful presentations on capital markets, regulatory frameworks, and a live demo of ESX’s automated trading platform by Dawit Sernessa, Senior Manager of Trading Operations.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion moderated by Yodit Kassa, Chief Business Development Officer at ESX. Panelists, including Woyenshet Zeberga (Monetary and Financial Analysis Director, NBE), Endalish Woldemichael (Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Amhara Bank), and Sinidu Fekadu (FSD Ethiopia), explored actionable steps to ensure women’s active participation in capital markets. The discussion underscored the need for tailored financial products, capacity-building initiatives, and policy reforms to address gender disparities.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Melika Bedri, Board Chair of NEWFin, who reiterated the collective responsibility of stakeholders to drive inclusivity and sustainability in Ethiopia’s financial ecosystem. Attendees then enjoyed a networking lunch, fostering connections and collaboration among participants.
This event marked a significant step forward in empowering women to play a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s capital markets, paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous financial future.
