CBE Deposits Surpass 2.1 Trillion Birr as Growth Accelerates in 2025/26

Ethiopia’s largest lender, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, has reported strong deposit growth in the first nine months of the 2025/26 fiscal year, with total deposits exceeding 2.1 trillion birr.

The increase follows the mobilisation of an additional 493.7 billion birr during the period, up from 1.68 trillion birr recorded at the close of the previous fiscal year. The figures were presented during a performance review held at the bank’s head office on April 29, reflecting continued momentum in resource mobilisation despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.

According to Abe Sano, the results underscore the bank’s capacity to sustain growth while supporting broader economic priorities. Beyond domestic deposits, the bank also generated $3.6 billion in foreign exchange, reinforcing its central role in Ethiopia’s external sector at a time when foreign currency availability remains constrained.

The dual performance—strong deposit expansion alongside forex generation—positions CBE as a key institutional anchor within the financial system. Its scale and reach continue to make it a primary conduit for liquidity, trade financing, and public-sector transactions.

Abe emphasized that sustaining this trajectory will require disciplined execution across both financial and operational areas. He highlighted the need to improve efficiency in loan allocation, strengthen cost management, and enhance customer acquisition and retention strategies. He also stressed the importance of aligning the bank’s performance with its broader national mandate.

“To meet our year-end targets and fulfill the responsibility entrusted to us, consistent effort and operational discipline will be critical in the remaining months,” he noted.

CBE’s performance is also being supported by its ongoing digital expansion. Platforms such as CBE Birr have contributed to increased transaction volumes and improved deposit mobilisation, reflecting a gradual shift toward digital financial services in Ethiopia.

As the country’s dominant commercial bank, CBE serves millions of customers through an extensive branch network and a growing digital ecosystem. Its latest results highlight not only institutional growth but also broader trends within Ethiopia’s banking sector—where digitalisation, deposit mobilisation, and foreign exchange generation remain central to financial stability.

While macroeconomic pressures persist, particularly around liquidity and foreign exchange, CBE’s performance indicates continued resilience and an expanding role in supporting economic activity.