ADDIS ABABA – In a move set to fundamentally reshape Ethiopia’s financial landscape, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has officially launched the nation’s inaugural Central Securities Depository (CSD) and the dedicated national investor portal, Ts’ega. These systems, which went live on November 22, 2025, signify a pivotal milestone in the long-awaited development of a modern, efficient, and internationally compliant Ethiopian capital market.

This transformation is more than just a technological upgrade; it represents a decisive strategic push toward market transparency, operational efficiency, and deepening financial inclusion across the country.

The CSD: The Bedrock of Market Security

The Central Securities Depository is the new, foundational core of Ethiopia’s financial infrastructure. Its operationalization immediately elevates the safety and integrity of all securities transactions, bringing the nation into alignment with global best practices.

• Secure Dematerialization: The CSD enables the complete replacement of physical paper certificates with electronic records. This process, known as dematerialization, drastically reduces the risk of loss, fraud, and transfer delays inherent in a paper-based system.
• Centralized Custody & Automation: By providing centralized, electronic custody of securities, the CSD automates crucial post-trade functions, including:
  • Clearing and Settlement: Ensuring timely and accurate transfer of funds and securities.
  • Corporate Actions: Managing dividend payments, stock splits, and rights issues efficiently.

This centralized, digitized framework is critical for reducing operational and systemic risks and building trust among domestic and international investors ahead of the full launch of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange.

Introducing ‘Ts’ega’: Empowering the Ethiopian Investor

Complementing the CSD’s back-end infrastructure is Ts’ega (meaning “Grace” or “Blessing”), the national investor portal designed to put control directly into the hands of the public.

Accessible through the digital platform csdtsega.nbe.gov.et, Ts’ega offers individual and institutional investors:

• Real-Time Transparency: Direct, 24/7 access to their full securities holdings and transaction history.
• Eliminating Intermediary Dependency: It bypasses the historical reliance on manual updates and confirmations from brokerage firms or custodians, ensuring immediate data accuracy.
• A Leap for Financial Inclusion: By providing a direct digital link to the capital market, Ts’ega makes market participation more accessible and understandable, fostering a culture of informed investment across the population.

This dual-system launch provides the necessary “plumbing”—the CSD—and the essential “user interface”—Ts’ega—to support a thriving and trustworthy capital market ecosystem.

NBE’s Vision: Digitalization Meets Market Reform

These initiatives are integral to the NBE’s ambitious 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. The Governor and the Board view the CSD and Ts’ega as key enablers for broader economic reform:

1. Transition to Market-Based Monetary Policy: A robust securities market is necessary for the NBE to utilize modern tools like open market operations (OMO) to manage liquidity and set interest rates effectively.
2. Enhanced Digitization: The platforms exemplify the commitment to modernizing the entire financial sector, improving efficiency, and reducing the cost of doing business.
3. Institutional Excellence: Establishing international-standard infrastructure is crucial for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio flows into the country.

Act Now: Early Access to the Ts’ega Mobile App

In a unique opportunity for market pioneers, the NBE is inviting the first fifty interested users to participate in the early testing phase of the Ts’ega mobile application.

Early participants can register their interest at nbe.gov.et/csd and will receive priority access. Their feedback will be vital in refining the platform’s user experience before its mass rollout.

This strategic investment by the National Bank of Ethiopia signals that the Ethiopian capital market is moving from a concept to a functional reality, establishing the essential, secure groundwork for future economic growth and diversification.