2025-12-31

Investment on DBE Bonds (Repealing) Directive No. SBB/98/2025

The National Bank of Ethiopia issued Directive No. SBB/98/2025 to repeal the prior Investment on DBE Bonds Directive and require all Ethiopian commercial banks to allocate funds to DBE bonds. Banks must invest one percent of their audited outstanding loans and advances based on June 30, 2025 financial positions or settle prior-year shortfalls by January 31, 2026. The directive takes effect on December 31, 2025, with existing investments and administrative governance remaining subject to the repealed directive.

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1 LICENSING AND SUPERVISION OF BANKING BUSINESS INVESTMENT ON DBE BONDS (REPEALING) DIRECTIVE NO. SBB/98/2025 A DIRECTIVE TO REPEAL INVESTMENT ON DBE BONDS DIRECTIVE NO. SBB/81/2021 Whereas, it has been found necessary to repeal Investment on DBE Bonds Directive No. SBB/81/2021; Now, therefore, in accordance with Articles 6(5) and 53(2) of the National Bank of Ethiopia Proclamation No. 1359/2025 and Article 91(2) of the Banking Business Proclamation No. 1360/2025, the National Bank has issued this Directive.

  1. Short Title This Directive may be cited as “Investment on DBE Bonds (Repealing) Directive No. SBB/98/2025”
  2. Scope of the Directive This Directive shall be applicable on all commercial banks operating in Ethiopia.
  3. Repealed Directive Investment on DBE Bonds Directive No. SBB/81/2021 is hereby repealed.
  4. Transitory Provisions 4.1 Notwithstanding Article 3 of this Directive, a commercial bank that has not invested 1% (one percent) of its audited outstanding loans and advances in DBE Bond based on its June 30, 2025 financial position or has failed to invest in DBE Bond in prior years due to any reasons, except exempted by the National Bank, shall invest in DBE bond in accordance with sub-articles 4.1 and 4.2 of Investment on DBE Bonds Directive No. SBB/81/2021 and shall settle this outstanding requirement no later than January 31, 2026. 4.2 Notwithstanding Article 3 of this Directive, Investment in DBE Bonds made before the effective date of this Directive and investments made in accordance with sub-article 4.1 of this Article shall continue to be governed, as deemed necessary, by Investment on DBE Bonds Directive No. SBB/81/2021. Thus, all relevant provisions of the repealed Directive shall be applicable on matters related to governance and administration of DBE Bond.
  5. Effective Date This Directive shall come into force as of the 31st day of December 2025.