Ethiopia

Washington D.C, Apr 16th, 2025 – Kifiya, Creating Equitable Access to Market and Financial Services in Ethiopia Since 2012 has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates 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 Kifiya, Ethiopia's leading innovator in financial services for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Kifiya's commitment to leveraging technology to drive financial inclusion aligns perfectly with our mission. We look forward to the valuable insights and contributions you will bring to our community," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.

Founded in 2012, Kifiya's vision is creating equitable access to market and finacial services for micro, small and medium enterprises(MSMEs), smallholder farmers (SHFs) & low and middle-income individuals.

"Kifiya is proud to join the SME Finance Forum, the global network where innovators learn, connect, and share best practices in SME finance. We’re eager to engage with and learn from its diverse, far-reaching community and to contribute insights from our innovation in AI-powered, data-driven financial infrastructure what is enabling banks and non-bank lenders to deliver relevant and appropriate uncollateralized credit products to MSMEs," said Munir Duri, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Kifiya.

SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth  

The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.

Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)

Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates: 

https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners

About Kifiya 

Founded in 2012, Kifiya's vision is creating equitable access to market and finacial services for micro, small and medium enterprises(MSMEs), smallholder farmers (SHFs) & low and middle-income individuals. 

At the center of our technology stack are: 1) an AI driven alternative data-based scoring platform that enables MSMEs, SHFs, and Individuals to be credit scored, and 2) an embedded finance infrastructure supporting credit, payment, insurance, and wallet services that drive the development of nine platforms. Together, these technologies enable FIs, MFIs, and FinTechs to offer various types of micro and small credit, micro insurance, and payment products and services. 

One of our key platfoms released 18 months ago is Qena, our intelligent financial services platform with KYC+ loan origination, complete credit management and collection modules. It leverages the credit scoring platform to enable banks and MFIs provide uncollateralized digital micro and small credit to MSMes, SHFs & Individuals.

Learn more: 

Website: https://kifiya.com/

Website: http://www.qena.ai

Facebook: KifiyaFT

Twitter: kifiyaft

Linkedin: Kifiya Financial Technology PLC

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dashenbankofficial/

Washington D.C., July 28, 2022 – Awash Bank joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. Awash Bank becomes the first bank in Ethiopia to join the SME Finance Forum.

“Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our mission to build a global membership to support better SME financing, and since then, we’ve established a network with over 240 active member institutions, sharing the common purpose of helping under-served enterprises. We are delighted to welcome Awash Bank to further grow our mission.” said Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum.

Awash Bank offers unique products and services that support small and medium-scale businesses and aid them grow into successful organizations. Founded in 1994 by 486 founding shareholders, Awash Bank was the first private commercial bank in Ethiopia, established after the country’s post-1991 financial deregulation. The bank is the biggest private commercial bank in Ethiopia and currently manages over 730 branches throughout the country. The Bank has been giving due emphasis to the SME financing since 2016.

"The SME Finance Forum offers a great platform to share knowledge and good practices about financial services. It gives the financial institution opportunities to make meaningful connections and strategic partnerships.” said Henock Tessema , Chief Retail & SME Banking Officer, Awash 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. 
To see all SME Finance Forum members, please visit: https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

About Awash Bank
Awash Bank was established by 486 founding shareholders with a paid-up capital of Birr 24.2 million in 1994. Awash Bank was the first private commercial bank in Ethiopia, established after the country’s post-1991 financial deregulation. The bank is the biggest private commercial bank in Ethiopia and currently manages over 730 branches throughout the country. Awash Bank’s vision is to be the first choice world class bank with the mission to provide innovative, competitive, and diversified banking services accessible to all with qualified and committed staff in a profitable and socially responsible manner.

Learn more at:
Website: https://www.awashbank.com/company-profile/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/awash-bank/?originalSubdomain=et
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bankawash?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bankawash/