ESX partners with FSD Africa and FSD Ethiopia to boost capital market growth
Addis Ababa, April 9, 2025 (FMC) – The Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) announced that it has joined forces with FSD Africa and FSD Ethiopia in a landmark partnership aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s capital markets.
This partnership, announced following ESX’s successful launch, signals a coordinated commitment to deepen the financial sector by mobilizing technical, financial, and strategic resources across the three organizations.
Under the agreement, ESX aims to list more than 50 companies across its main and growth markets while establishing a dedicated platform for government and corporate bonds, including Sharia-compliant instruments such as Sukuks.
The partnership will also focus on issuer support, investor education, product development, and institutional capacity building to ensure ESX operates at international standards.
The collaboration brings together technical expertise, financial resources, and strategic oversight from all three entities. ESX will lead project management and implementation, while FSD Ethiopia and FSD Africa will provide funding and advisory support. A dedicated ESX Market Development Committee will coordinate efforts to drive sustainable market growth.
Tilahun Esmael Kassahun, CEO of ESX, underscored the significance of the partnership, stating, “Developing a strong and transparent securities exchange is a milestone in Ethiopia’s financial history.”
He emphasized that the initiative will broaden funding options for businesses while equipping investors with the knowledge to engage confidently in the market.
Hikmet Abdella, CEO of FSD Ethiopia, highlighted the transformative potential of the collaboration, noting that robust capital markets are critical for economic growth. “By working together, we are creating a sustainable financial system that will support businesses and provide investment opportunities for individuals and institutions participating in Ethiopia’s economic expansion,” she said.
Mark Napier, CEO of FSD Africa, reinforced the broader continental vision behind the partnership. “Building robust capital markets is essential to unlocking Africa’s economic potential,” he said.
Napier pointed to Africa’s vast pool of domestic institutional capital—valued at over USD2.3 trillion—as a key driver for sustainable growth, adding that the collaboration with ESX aligns with FSD Africa’s mission to make finance a transformative force across the continent.