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/
