For years, buying shares in Ethiopia’s biggest companies felt like a private club. But that is officially changing. Dashen Bank has just cleared its final administrative hurdle to list on the brand-new Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). After settling a 506.5 million Birr tax obligation—covering everything from business profits to dividends—the Ministry of Revenues has given the bank a “green light” that was previously standing in the way of its public debut.
If you’ve ever wanted to be more than just a customer at a bank, this is your moment. By clearing these taxes and registering with the Capital Market Authority, Dashen is moving its shares from “paper certificates” into a modern, digital format that can be traded on an open market.
The magic date to remember is February 23, 2026. That is when Dashen Bank is scheduled to hit the ESX main board.
The bank is making 14.34 million existing shares available, along with 2.21 million new shares.
- Existing Shareholders First: Current owners got the first crack at buying new shares at 2,900 Birr.
- Public Access: Any shares that weren’t snatched up by current owners are now being opened to “retail investors”—that means regular people like you and me.
- Transparency: Because of this new tax clearance, investors can rest easy knowing the bank’s books are clean and recognized by the government.
The “confidential letter” from the Ministry of Revenues might sound like boring paperwork, but it’s actually the key that unlocks the door for thousands of Ethiopians to build wealth through the stock market.
By removing this final “administrative barrier,” Dashen Bank has signaled that it is ready for the big stage.