Wegagen Bank and Ethiopian Airlines have launched a co-branded payment card that allows customers to accumulate travel reward points on everyday purchases made at the bank's point-of-sale terminals. The Wegagen ShebaMiles Payment Card, unveiled on Thursday at the bank's headquarters in Addis Ababa, links the airline's ShebaMiles loyalty programme to the bank's card services, enabling cardholders to earn points when making qualifying payments at shopping centres and service establishments.
Points accumulated through the card can be redeemed for various travel benefits including complimentary flights, additional baggage allowances, airport lounge access and priority check-in services, according to the bank and airline. New customers registering for the service will receive 50 ShebaMiles points as a welcome bonus, Wegagen Bank Chief Information Officer Goitom Gebretsadkan said at the launch. Customers with active Wegagen Bank accounts can apply for the card through the Wegagen Mobile Banking application or directly at any branch.
The partnership is designed to expand the value available to ShebaMiles members by allowing them to earn and redeem rewards through regular financial transactions beyond air travel. Ethiopian Airlines Manager of Customer Loyalty Solomon Mekonnen described the collaboration as part of the airline's wider efforts to improve passenger satisfaction and provide additional value through partnerships with other service providers.
Wegagen Bank, which was established by 16 founding shareholders and began operations with initial paid-up capital of 30 million birr, has grown substantially as it approaches its 30th anniversary in June 2027. The bank's paid-up capital has now exceeded 10 billion birr, while its total capital has reached 15.8 billion birr. The bank currently operates 457 branches, 400 ATMs, 726 POS terminals and 13,157 agents nationwide, in addition to its internet and mobile banking services.