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Addis Ababa — November 20, 2025 — The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has unveiled a detailed bi-weekly foreign exchange (FX) auction schedule for the remainder of the current fiscal year, allocating a combined USD 520 million to stabilize the market and reinforce transparency in FX distribution.
According to the announcement, the central bank has set aside USD 420 million for the third quarter of FY 2025/26 and an additional USD 100 million for December 2025, bringing the total planned auction allocations to over half a billion dollars.
The move is part of NBE’s ongoing reforms aimed at increasing predictability in the FX market, improving liquidity for priority sectors, and strengthening market confidence amid persistent foreign currency shortages.
December Auctions to Release USD 100 Million
For the remaining sessions of QII, scheduled on December 2 and December 16, NBE will offer USD 50 million per auction.
Market analysts expect demand to significantly exceed supply, particularly from manufacturing, agriculture, and import-dependent sectors facing tight FX positions.
Bi-Weekly USD 70 Million Auctions Through March
The central bank has also confirmed a robust auction pipeline for QIII (January–March 2026), with USD 70 million allocated to each bi-weekly session, scheduled as follows:
- January 6 & 20
- February 3 & 17
- March 3 & 17
This marks one of the largest consecutive auction commitments by NBE in recent years, signaling a more proactive approach toward easing FX market pressures.
Push for Transparency and Predictability
NBE emphasized that the publication of a forward-looking quarterly schedule is part of its broader commitment to enhance market transparency, reduce speculation, and align FX distribution with economic priorities.
The structured bi-weekly plan allows traders, importers, and financial institutions to plan ahead—an improvement from previous years, when auction announcements were often made with less advance notice.
Market Implications
Economists note that while the announced injections may help stabilize short-term volatility, demand still far exceeds supply across the economy. The central bank’s continued FX tightening measures, as well as reforms under Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic adjustment program, will shape how far these auctions go in improving liquidity.
Still, the latest schedule provides much-needed clarity for businesses navigating Ethiopia’s constrained currency market.
