AMG Investment Bank PLC has been granted an investment banking licence by the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), marking a significant step in the expansion of Ethiopia's capital market infrastructure. The licence was formally handed over on November 13, 2026, during a ceremony at ECMA's head office in Addis Ababa, attended by the bank's shareholders, Board of Directors and invited guests.
Established with initial stated capital of Birr 50.1 million, AMG Investment Bank intends to provide a comprehensive range of financial services to help businesses raise capital and access Ethiopia's developing securities market. These services include supporting initial public offerings, bond and sukuk issuance, equity and debt capital market transactions, underwriting and private placements. The bank also plans to offer mergers and acquisitions advisory, corporate restructuring, financial and sustainable finance advisory, securities brokerage, proprietary trading, research and market intelligence.
Abera Bekele Kejela, the bank's Chief Executive Officer, said the institution would focus on several strategic sectors of the Ethiopian economy, including banking and financial services, manufacturing, agro-processing, agribusiness, logistics, infrastructure and energy. The bank also plans to engage in financing and advisory opportunities related to the privatisation of state-owned enterprises, while targeting emerging sectors such as financial technology, health technology, agricultural technology and green finance. According to the CEO, the bank's next step is to secure membership in the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), which would enable it to participate more actively in the country's securities market.
The licensing of AMG Investment Bank is part of a broader expansion of Ethiopia's capital market institutions. ECMA also granted an investment banking licence to NileBridge Investment Bank PLC following a review of their respective applications. During the same licensing event, ECMA approved eight appointed representatives and ten board directors for the two newly licensed investment banks.
Dagmawit Shiferaw, ECMA Director General, formally presented the licences and called on the newly licensed banks to contribute to the development of a transparent, fair and inclusive capital market. She urged them to provide professional services that meet market standards, promote fair transactions and support the equitable distribution of wealth. With the two new licences, the total number of licensed Capital Market Service Providers in Ethiopia has reached 23, while the number of licensed investment banks has increased to 11.