Addis Ababa, May 26, 2026 (FMC) — The National Bank of Ethiopia has announced that all licensed commercial banks in the country are now authorized to issue export permits and facilitate banking services for exports destined to the People’s Republic of China.
The decision revises a previous directive that had limited the issuance of export permits exclusively to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, under the framework of bilateral economic and financial cooperation between Ethiopia and China.
In its statement, the central bank said the move is intended to streamline foreign trade procedures, enhance competitiveness in the export sector, and improve access to banking services for exporters.
Accordingly, effective May 26, 2026, all commercial banks are authorized to process export permits, handle documentary credits, and manage related financial transactions for China-bound exports, in line with existing foreign exchange and export regulatory requirements.