Commercial Nominees PLC
Commercial Nominees PLC is Ethiopia's largest outsourced employment and business services provider, deploying over 42,000 professionals across 32 branches. It serves banks, government agencies, and enterprises with security, cleaning, financial administration, tender and asset management, and CBE Birr agent banking services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Commercial Nominees PLC does
Commercial Nominees PLC (CN) is an Ethiopian outsourcing and business services company headquartered in Addis Ababa, founded in 1965 by Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and Construction and Business Bank (CBB). The company deploys a workforce of more than 42,000 professionals through 32+ branches to deliver security, cleaning, clerical support, cash handling, driving, electrical, messengerial, and maintenance services to banks, government agencies, healthcare providers, and private enterprises. In addition to its core outsourced-employment offering, CN operates financial services (payment disbursement, revenue collection, provident fund administration), asset and property management, tender management, company management, event organizing, and buying/selling of buildings, alongside acting as a Super-Agent on the CBE Birr digital payment platform.
Technology supporting these services includes an Enterprise Resource Planning system being implemented with Exceed IT Systems, drone-assisted exterior building cleaning, a modern road sweeping machine capable of cleaning 105,000 square meters per hour (the first deployed in Ethiopia, with training delivered by an Italian specialist), and CCTV-based 24/7 surveillance. CN also operates a purpose-built 1,400-square-meter training academy in Addis Ababa providing short- and medium-term programs in technical skills, ethics, customer service, security, and leadership development.
CN's business model is built on negotiated multi-year Service Level Agreements with enterprise clients across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, billed primarily on a per-employee or per-service basis. Additional revenue is generated through transaction fees on CBE Birr agent banking, professional-service fees for tender and event management, management fees on assets and trusts, and one-time gains on building resales. The company's stated approach is a cost-recovery model with minimal margins, positioning it as an affordable provider. Strategic distribution is dual-pronged: direct B2B enterprise sales supported by on-site assessments and a nationwide branch network, plus a CBE Birr channel-partner model extending financial services to end-consumers and underserved communities.
Commercial Nominees PLC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Commercial Nominees PLC
- Legal name
- Commercial Nominees PLC
- Website
- https://commercialnominees.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Commercial Nominees PLC is Ethiopia's largest outsourced employment and business services provider, deploying over 42,000 professionals across 32 branches. It serves banks, government agencies, and enterprises with security, cleaning, financial administration, tender and asset management, and CBE Birr agent banking services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Commercial Nominees PLC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Process Outsourcing
- NAICS
- Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Government & Public Sector Direct Hire (BPACAFAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Procurement Helpdesk & Stakeholder Support (BPAAAJAD), Public Procurement & Contracting (BPAIAEAE)
Keywords
Where Commercial Nominees PLC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Addis Ababa
- HQ country
- Ethiopia
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices34 records
Markets served
Commercial Nominees PLC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Outsourced Employment Services: CN provides outsourced staffing for security (guarding, escorting, traffic control), cleaning, driving, clerical support, cash handling, electrical work, messengerial, and maintenance services. Revenue is generated through service contracts with public, private, and nonprofit institutions, billed on a per-employee or per-service basis as negotiated in SLAs. This is the core revenue stream, with over 42,000 deployed professionals.
- Financial Services: CN provides payment services (salary disbursements, employee benefits, tax obligations, pension contributions), revenue collection (tuition fees, service payments), provident fund administration, and compensation payments (e.g., for road/railway construction affected beneficiaries). Revenue is earned through service fees negotiated per contract.
- Asset Management: CN manages real estate properties and trusts on behalf of individuals, groups, NGOs, government bodies, businesses, associations, and cooperatives. Services include tenant management, lease administration, maintenance scheduling, and financial reporting. Revenue is generated through management fees.
- Company Management Services: CN provides end-to-end company administration including finance and compliance, HR management, sales and marketing management, and facility/logistics management. Revenue is generated through comprehensive service contracts with business owners seeking operational outsourcing.
- Building Buying and Selling: CN acquires residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties, renovates and upgrades them where appropriate, and sells them for profit. Revenue is realized through property sales transactions.
- Agent Banking (CBE Birr Super-Agent): As a Super-Agent for CBE Birr, CN facilitates utility bill payments, airtime sales, merchant onboarding, cash deposits, and withdrawals. Revenue is earned through transaction fees per financial service processed.
- Tender Management Services: CN manages competitive tender processes for high-value asset sales (buildings, factories, warehouses). Revenue is generated through service fees for bid preparation, advertising, bid evaluation, and transaction management.
- Event Organizing: CN organizes and manages events including conferences, workshops, bazaars, expos, and public celebrations on behalf of clients. Revenue is earned through event management service fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom negotiated service contracts (per SLA) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Commercial Nominees PLC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Commercial Nominees PLC provides outsourced employment, facility management, and agent banking services to enterprises, banks, and government entities across Ethiopia. Its offerings span outsourced workforce provisioning, tender management, financial services including CBE Birr Super-Agent operations, building sales, asset management, event organizing, and corporate company management. The company leverages a 42,000+ employee workforce and 32+ branch locations to deliver these services at scale.
Product overview
Commercial Nominees PLC is an Ethiopian outsourcing and management solutions provider offering a portfolio of 25+ specialized services across eight core offerings: Outsourced Employment (security, cleaning, driving, clerical support), Tender Management, Financial Services, Buying and Selling of Building, Asset Management, Event Organizing, Agent Banking (CBE Birr), and Company Management. The company operates as a single integrated service platform rather than a modular product suite, providing these interconnected outsourcing and administrative services to public, private, and nonprofit sector clients through 32 branches nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Outsourced Employment
Quantifiable outcome
- 42,000+ employees deployed across Ethiopia
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Commercial Nominees PLC
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Commercial Nominees PLC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Commercial Nominees PLC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Addis Media Network (AMN)coreCN signed an MoU with Addis Media Network to collaborate on media and communication activities. The partnership helps CN promote its services more widely and expand its market reach. AMN provides a broad platform to showcase CN's contributions to the country and strengthen engagement with customers and raise public awareness. Following the signing, AMN management visited CN's modern training center.
- Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU)coreCN and AASTU signed an MoU to establish a strategic partnership focused on human capital development, institutional transformation, digitalization, and research and innovation. The two institutions will jointly establish an EV Charging Station. The partnership aims to enhance capacity building, drive digital advancement, and strengthen integration of academic expertise with industry needs. The MoU was signed by CEO Commander Tilahun Tsegaye and AASTU President Dr. Dereje Engida.
- BVG India LimitedcoreCN and BVG India Limited (a leading Indian integrated facility management company) are exploring cooperation in modern waste management systems, foreign employment, and energy generation. BVG India has expressed readiness to support CN in finalizing a waste management feasibility study. Both parties are working jointly with the Addis Ababa City Administration to promote modern waste management practices. This builds on a previously signed MoU between the two companies.
- Hawassa City Administration Mayor's OfficeminorCN and the Hawassa City Administration Mayor's Office signed an MoU to jointly organize a 5km Great Run event. The partnership covers event preparation, coordination, and implementation. The race was expected to promote Hawassa as a tourist destination while encouraging physical fitness. Additional areas of collaboration between CN and Hawassa City Administration were also discussed.
- Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE)coreCommercial Nominees was originally founded in 1965 by Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and Construction and Business Bank (CBB). CN serves as a Super-Agent for CBE under the CBE Birr digital payment platform, enabling utility payments, airtime sales, and other financial transactions nationwide. CBE's Board Vice President serves as CN's Board Chairperson, indicating deep institutional ties. CN provides security, cleaning, and other outsourced services to CBE and its trade union.
- Exceed IT SystemscoreCN signed an agreement with Exceed IT Systems to deploy an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to modernize its human resources, finance, and procurement management. The implementation will integrate HR, finance, procurement, and other internal processes through technology. Exceed IT Systems will work closely with CN to deliver the system within the agreed timeframe and required quality standards.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Commercial Nominees PLC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Adecco Group: One of the world's largest HR services and staffing providers. Comparable to CN on the core outsourced employment pillar, including large-scale workforce placement for financial institutions and government bodies across multiple geographies.
- Randstad N.V. Global staffing and HR services major. Directly relevant as a comparator for CN's enterprise B2B staffing model, large-volume recruitment pipelines, and managed service contracts across banking and public sector clients.
- G4S (Allied Universal): One of the world's largest integrated security and facility services companies. Directly comparable on the security guarding, cash handling and facility management pillars that make up the bulk of CN's deployed workforce, and relevant as a model for how an outsourcing provider can scale multi-country, multi-service contracts.
- ISS A/S: Global facility services provider spanning cleaning, security, workplace and property services. Comparable to CN in the integrated outsourced employment / facility services model, particularly relevant for benchmarking on technology-driven cleaning (drone-assisted, modern sweepers) and multi-branch service delivery.
- ManpowerGroup: Global staffing and workforce solutions company. CN's outsourced employment model—recruiting, training, deploying and managing 42,000+ workers on SLAs—mirrors ManpowerGroup's permanent placement and managed staffing services, especially for government and banking customers.
- Compass Group: Global leader in contract food services and support services, including large-scale outsourced employment for institutions. Relevant peer for benchmarking on multi-branch, multi-country contract delivery and capital-light scaling of outsourced services into new verticals.
- Sodexo Group: French multinational delivering food services, facilities management and integrated workforce solutions across 50+ countries. Comparable to CN's bundled offering (cleaning, facility management, employee benefits administration) and a natural benchmark as CN looks to expand facility management and corporate services verticals in Ethiopia.
- Brink's Incorporated: Global leader in cash handling, secure logistics and facility services for financial institutions. Comparable to CN's cash handling and security services for Ethiopian banks (CBE, Wegagen, Abay, etc.), particularly the CCTV-based remote security offering and SLA-driven guarding contracts.
Direct peers
- BVG India Limited: An Indian integrated facility management and staffing company and CN's explicit strategic partner under a recently signed MoU focused on modern waste management, foreign employment and energy generation. Operates in the same outsourced employment / facility management category with similar security, cleaning and integrated services, but at much larger geographic scale in India.
Regional players
- Security & Employment Services Operators in East Africa (e.g., KK Security, Rapid Paul Security): Regional East African (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) security and staffing operators such as KK Security and Rapid Paul Security serve as the closest regional analogs to CN's security-guarding and outsourced-employment business, and represent the most likely cross-border competitive set should CN choose to expand beyond Ethiopia.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Commercial Nominees PLC social profiles
Digital presenceCommercial Nominees PLC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Commercial Nominees PLC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Commercial Nominees PLC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Commercial Nominees PLC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Commercial Nominees PLC
What does Commercial Nominees PLC do?
Commercial Nominees PLC provides outsourced employment, facility management, and agent banking services to enterprises, banks, and government entities across Ethiopia. Its offerings span outsourced workforce provisioning, tender management, financial services including CBE Birr Super-Agent operations, building sales, asset management, event organizing, and corporate company management. The company leverages a 42,000+ employee workforce and 32+ branch locations to deliver these services at scale.
Is Commercial Nominees PLC a public or private company?
Commercial Nominees PLC is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Commercial Nominees PLC founded?
Commercial Nominees PLC was founded in 1965. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Commercial Nominees PLC based?
Commercial Nominees PLC is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the Africa region.
How does Commercial Nominees PLC make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Outsourced Employment Services are the primary driver. The others are financial Services, asset Management, company Management Services, building Buying and Selling, agent Banking (CBE Birr Super-Agent), tender Management Services and event Organizing.
Who are Commercial Nominees PLC's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Adecco Group, Randstad N.V., G4S (Allied Universal), ISS A/S, ManpowerGroup, Compass Group, Sodexo Group and Brink's Incorporated. BVG India Limited is listed as a direct peer. Security & Employment Services Operators in East Africa (e.g., KK Security, Rapid Paul Security) is listed as a regional player.
Does Commercial Nominees PLC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Commercial Nominees PLC.
What industry is Commercial Nominees PLC in?
Commercial Nominees PLC's product category is Business Process Outsourcing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAFAK, Government & Public Sector Direct Hire, with a secondary code of BPAAAJAD, Procurement Helpdesk & Stakeholder Support. Its NAICS code is 561311 and its SIC code is 7361.