Published by World bank
Published on 15 April 2025
The report titled "The Dynamics of Financial Inclusion in Ethiopia" examines the progress and challenges in expanding financial access between 2016 and 2022. While account ownership nearly doubled during this period, Ethiopia still lags behind regional peers, with persistent gender, rural-urban, education, and income disparities. Women, the rural poor, and those with limited education remain significantly excluded, and digital financial services remain underutilized. Key factors influencing inclusion include education, employment, mobile phone ownership, and financial knowledge, particularly the latter, which now explains a growing share of the gender gap. To bridge these gaps, the report recommends diversifying delivery channels (such as agent banking and mobile finance), expanding digital technology access, and enhancing financial literacy through targeted, inclusive education and outreach.
