Washington D.C, November 21, 2023 – Ethiopia’s Dashen Bank has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 240+ members of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.
“SME Finance Forum is delighted to welcome Dashen Bank, a leading bank in Ethiopia and Africa, into our network. I am confident they will further contribute towards our decade-long efforts in expanding access to financial services for SMEs. We have been building a global network of SME-focused institutions imparting knowledge, scaling innovations, sharing best practices and influencing policy shifts, and we are proud to welcome Dashen Bank today,” said Qamar Saleem, CEO of the SME Finance Forum.
Dashen Bank was founded in 1995 and is named after the highest peak in Ethiopia, Mount Dashen, and aspires to be “Best in class Bank in Africa.” Its mission is to provide customer-centric banking service using the expertise of inspired professionals and cutting-edge technology, while creating sustainable value for its stakeholders.
“Through our association with the SME Finance Forum, Dashen Bank aims to boost our brand recognition in the SME finance circle, connect with a broader audience, engage with other members, and stay aware of current industry trends and best practices,” said Mr. Mulugeta Alebachew, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Dashen Bank.
About SME Finance Forum
The SME Finance Forum was established by the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) in 2012 as a knowledge center for data, research, and best practice in promoting SME finance. As an implementing partner for the GPFI, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) was tasked with managing the initiative. The Forum operates a global membership network of +240 members that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs.
Discover the SME Finance Forum members:
https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
About Dashen Bank
Dashen Bank was founded by eleven visionary shareholders and veteran bankers in September 1995. The bank commenced operation in 1996 with eleven fully-fledged branches in Ethiopia. It currently operates a network of more than 800 branches, nine dedicated Forex Bureaus, over 400 ATMs and over 1,400 Point-of-Sale terminals.
Learn more:
Website: https://dashenbanksc.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/DashenBankEthiopia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DashenBankOfficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BankDashen
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dashen-bank-official-page
