Washington, DC
Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, Eyob Tekalign, on Tuesday presented Ethiopia’s sweeping financial sector reform agenda during a Capacity Development Talk held on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC.
Speaking on the theme of building markets, institutions and stability in a challenging environment, Eyob outlined the structural transformation under way in Ethiopia’s financial system as part of the government’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.
He said the reforms include a shift toward an interest rate-based monetary policy framework, the move to a market-determined exchange rate, and a major overhaul of the country’s regulatory architecture through a new central bank proclamation and updated banking legislation.
Eyob emphasized that the reform program is being driven by national priorities and domestic ownership, with technical assistance designed to respond to Ethiopia’s needs rather than externally imposed prescriptions.
Looking ahead, he identified the deepening of domestic financial markets and the opening of the sector to foreign investment as key priorities in the next phase of reform.
He said durable progress will depend on strong institutional capacity, policy continuity and a financial system capable of supporting a growing, private sector-led economy.
