Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

What Commercial Bank of Ethiopia does

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) is the state-owned commercial bank of Ethiopia and the largest bank in the country by assets and customer base, headquartered in Addis Ababa with SWIFT code CBETETAA. It operates a universal banking platform serving retail individuals, diaspora customers, corporates, agricultural borrowers, exporters, and real estate borrowers through a conventional banking franchise and a parallel Shariah-compliant Islamic banking division called CBE Noor. The product portfolio spans deposit accounts (Ordinary, Minor, Women, Youth, Holiday, Wedding, Fixed Time, Gasha, CBE Hawala at 7%-14% interest), loans (agricultural, commercial, export, personal, condominium, mortgage, microfinance at 11%-18% interest), trade services (import/export LCs, TT transfers, guarantees at 0.5%-4% commission), and digital banking including CBE Mobile Banking, CBE Internet Banking, domestic and international Visa/Mastercard cards, CBE Birr mobile money with agent network, EthioDirect diaspora remittance via MasterCard and Visa, and CBE Docs paperless account opening.

Distribution is hybrid and includes traditional branches, smart branches, CBE Noor branches, POS terminals, an ATM network, CBE Birr agents for underbanked areas, and digital self-serve channels integrated with TeleBirr, FastPay, CashGo, ETH SWITCH, and a Fuel App for fuel payments. International presence is maintained through wholly-owned subsidiary branches in Djibouti and South Sudan. Pricing is structured with deposit interest rates ranging from 7% on basic savings to 14% on CBE Hawala Saving, lending rates from 11% (employee loans) to 18% (advance on import bills), one-time card issuance fees of Birr 100-900, and safe deposit box rentals of Birr 5,250-14,000 annually. The marketing footprint spans Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Telegram, and TikTok plus Google Play and Apple App Store distribution of its mobile apps.

CBE is a state-owned enterprise with no public listing, no venture or private equity backing, and no parent company; ownership rests with the Ethiopian government under regulatory oversight of the National Bank of Ethiopia. Revenue is generated primarily through interest income on loans, with supplementary transaction fees, digital banking fees, international banking commissions, and safe deposit rentals. Customer support operates through local contact numbers (951, 915, 847), international lines, an email contact center, and the bank's website combanketh.et. No revenue figure, headcount figure, or financial disclosures are publicly available in the input data.

Name

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

Legal name

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

Website

https://combanketh.et

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

10,001+ employees

Short description

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia is Ethiopia's largest state-owned commercial bank, providing conventional and Islamic (CBE Noor) deposit, lending, trade, card, and digital banking services to retail, corporate, and diaspora customers across Ethiopia, Djibouti, and South Sudan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Banking

NAICS

Commercial Banking (522110), Commercial Banking (52211), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)

SIC

State Commercial Banks (6022), National Commercial Banks (6021)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Sector Retail Banks (State-Owned Commercial Banks) (FSABAKAL)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Islamic banking
• Mobile money services
• Diaspora remittance
• Trade finance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Addis Ababa

HQ country

Ethiopia

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Interest Income: Primary revenue from interest earned on loans including agricultural loans (14-15.5%), commercial loans (15-18%), export loans (12-14%), personal loans (11-15%), and residential/commercial condominium loans (12-16.5%)
2. Transaction and Service Fees: Fees from domestic banking services including cash withdrawals, account management, cheque books, transfers (internal and inter-bank RTGS), standing instructions, and balance confirmations
3. Digital Banking Services: Fees from mobile banking transfers, internet banking, card services (domestic and international debit/prepaid cards), ATM withdrawals, and POS transactions
4. International Banking Services: Revenue from import/export letters of credit, guarantees, TT transfers, foreign currency exchange, and cash sales with commission rates ranging from 0.5% to 4%
5. Safe Deposit Box Rental: Annual rental fees for safe deposit boxes ranging from Birr 5,250 to Birr 14,000 depending on size

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels13 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia is a state-owned commercial bank providing full-service retail and corporate banking including deposit accounts, agricultural, commercial, export, personal, and mortgage loans, trade finance, domestic and international cards, and foreign exchange services. It also operates a Shariah-compliant Islamic banking division (CBE Noor) and delivers digital banking through CBE Mobile Banking, Internet Banking, CBE Birr mobile money, EthioDirect diaspora remittance, and CBE Docs paperless account opening, supported by an extensive branch, smart branch, agent, and POS network across Ethiopia and select East African markets.

Product overview

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia operates as a multi-channel banking platform offering conventional and Islamic banking (CBE Noor) products. The core portfolio comprises deposit accounts, loans, trade services, and digital banking (mobile and internet). Key digital products include CBE Mobile Banking, CBE Internet Banking, CBE Cards (domestic and international debit/prepaid), CBE Birr Plus mobile money, EthioDirect diaspora remittance, and CBE DOCS paperless account opening. CBE Noor provides Shariah-compliant alternatives including Wadiah deposits, Murabah/Salam/Istisna/Ijara financing, and trade services. The bank maintains physical infrastructure through branches, smart branches, CBE Noor branches, POS terminals, and CBE Birr agents. Subsidiary operations exist in Djibouti and South Sudan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBE Noor: Islamic banking division providing Shariah-compliant interest-free banking products and services including deposits, financing, trade services, and diaspora accounts
• CBE Birr
• EthioDirect
• CBE Docs

Products and services

• CBE Deposit Accounts Range of savings and deposit accounts including Ordinary, Minor, Women, Youth, Teen Youth, Education, Holiday, Wedding, Demand Deposit, Fixed Time Deposit, Gasha Saving, CBE Guzo Saving, and CBE Hawala Saving accounts with varying interest rates from 7% to 14%.
• CBE Loans Comprehensive lending products covering Agricultural Loans, Residential Condominium Loans, Non-Export Commercial Loans, Export Loans, Personal Loans (Employees and Retail), Mortgage Loans, Vehicle Loans, Merchandise Loans, and Microfinance Institution Loans with interest rates ranging from 11% to 18%.
• CBE Trade Services International banking services including Import LC, Export LC, PO/CAD, TT (Advance Payment and Outgoing), Foreign Guarantee, Incoming Remittance, and Invisible Services for trade financing and settlement.
• CBE Mobile Banking Mobile application enabling customers to access banking services through mobile devices for account management, fund transfers, bill payments, and other banking transactions on Android and iOS.
• CBE Internet Banking Online banking platform for accessing bank accounts and performing financial transactions via web browser with features for transfers, bill payments, and account management.
• CBE Cards Card-based banking products including Domestic Debit Cards, Domestic Prepaid Cards, International Debit Cards (VISA Platinum), International Prepaid Cards (VISA and MasterCard branded), Wearable Contactless Cards (CBE-Pay Band), and Instant Issuance Cards.
• CBE Birr (Mobile Money) Mobile money service enabling users to perform financial transactions using mobile phones, including cash-in, cash-out, airtime top-up, and bill payments, supported by an agent network for service access in areas with limited traditional banking.
• EthioDirect Diaspora Remittance Digital remittance platform for diaspora to send money from their phone using MasterCard and Visa free of charge directly to beneficiary bank accounts or CBE Birr wallets, with integration support for Fast Pay and CashGo mobile apps.
• CBE Docs (Paperless Account Opening) Digital banking platform for paperless account opening, form submission, and secure document e-signatures, enabling remote account opening with identity verification, digital form completion, and document tracking.
• CBE Noor Islamic Banking Islamic banking division providing Shariah-compliant financial products including Wadiah deposits, Murabah cost-plus financing, Salam forward sale, Istisna manufacturing contract, Ijara lease financing, trade services, diaspora accounts, and cards under Islamic finance principles.
• CBE Supplier Portal Portal for suppliers to manage contracts, track payments, submit invoices, and access procurement opportunities with CBE, including purchase order management, advance shipment notifications, invoice management, and payment tracking.
• CBE Branch Network Physical branch banking network providing in-person banking services from city centers to rural communities across Ethiopia.
• CBE Smart Branches Innovative branches combining convenience with advanced banking technology for self-service and assisted banking transactions.
• CBE Noor Branches Dedicated CBE Noor Islamic banking branches for Shariah-compliant financial services.
• CBE POS Network Point-of-sale terminal network for merchant payments and card transactions at participating retail locations.
• CBE Birr Agent Network Agent network providing CBE Birr mobile money services including cash-in, cash-out, and other transactions in areas with limited traditional banking infrastructure.
• CBE Diaspora Services Banking services for diaspora communities including diaspora accounts and credit facilities for international money transfers and financial transactions.
• CBE Noor Diaspora Accounts Shariah-compliant diaspora banking accounts under CBE Noor for interest-free international banking services.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• VisacoreTechnology or IntegrationVisa international card services enabling CBE customers to use Visa-branded debit and prepaid cards for domestic and international transactions. EthioDirect supports Visa transfers.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or IntegrationMastercard international card services enabling CBE customers to use Mastercard-branded cards globally. EthioDirect platform accepts MasterCard transfers from diaspora customers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Ecobank: Ecobank is a pan-African banking group with presence in 35+ African countries. It is comparable to CBE as a broad commercial banking incumbent operating across multiple African markets, including trade finance and correspondent banking services relevant to CBE's Djibouti and South Sudan operations.

Direct peers

• Wegagen Bank: Wegagen Bank is an Ethiopian private commercial bank providing retail, corporate, and digital banking services. It is directly comparable to CBE in its deposit and loan products and competes for the same Ethiopian retail and SME customer base.
• Dashen Bank: Dashen Bank is a major Ethiopian commercial bank offering deposits, lending, trade services, and digital banking (Amole mobile money). It directly competes with CBE in retail, SME, and corporate banking across Ethiopia, including digital and remittance segments.
• Awash Bank: Awash Bank is the largest private commercial bank in Ethiopia and CBE's most direct competitor. It operates full conventional banking services including deposits, lending, trade finance, and digital channels, directly contesting CBE's share of Ethiopian retail and corporate customers.
• Bank of Abyssinia: Bank of Abyssinia is a leading private Ethiopian commercial bank with national branch coverage, digital banking services, and trade finance offerings. It is a direct competitor to CBE in commercial lending, deposits, and increasingly in mobile/digital banking.
• Cooperative Bank of Oromia: Cooperative Bank of Oromia is an Ethiopian commercial bank serving retail, cooperative, and corporate clients across Oromia and beyond. It competes with CBE in deposit gathering, agricultural lending, and SME banking in Ethiopia.

Regional players

• Equity Bank: Equity Bank is a major East African commercial bank with operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and DRC. It is comparable to CBE in serving diaspora, retail, and SME customers across East Africa, including in South Sudan where CBE also operates.

Others

• National Bank of Ethiopia: National Bank of Ethiopia is Ethiopia's central bank and primary regulator of CBE. While not a competitor, it is the most strategically relevant peer entity because its monetary policy, FX rules, and banking sector directives directly determine CBE's operating environment and pricing flexibility.

Emerging players

• Ethio Telecom (TeleBirr): Ethio Telecom operates TeleBirr, Ethiopia's largest mobile money platform and a direct competitor to CBE Birr. While CBE integrates with TeleBirr, Ethio Telecom's state-backed telecom scale and agent network threaten CBE's retail payments and low-cost deposit franchise.
• Safaricom (M-Pesa Ethiopia): Safaricom's M-Pesa Ethiopia is a major mobile money entrant that competes with CBE Birr for digital wallet customers. As a regional fintech incumbent scaling into Ethiopia, it represents an emerging threat to CBE's mobile money and retail deposit share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/combankethiopia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/commercialbankofethiopia
• Facebookfacebook.com/combanketh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/commercialbankofethiopia
• Instagraminstagram.com/commercialbankofethiopia
• TikToktiktok.com/@combankethiopia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Commercial Bank of Ethiopia