Bank of Abyssinia Goes Live on the ESX as Shares Surge on Debut Day

As reported by Ethiopian Monitor

Summary

• Bank of Abyssinia, one of Ethiopia's largest private lenders, began trading on the Main Board of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange on July 28, 2026, after registering more than 17.48 million shares with the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority at a reference price of 1,600 birr each. The bank trades under the ticker BOAX and became the sixth company on the exchange's main market, joining Abay Bank, Awash Bank, Gadaa Bank, Wegagen Bank, and Ethio Telecom.
• Market reports said shares traded as high as 3,000 birr during the debut session, well above the reference price. The listing included existing shares plus new ordinary shares offered through a rights issue. ESX officials said each new listing strengthens the foundation of Ethiopia's young capital market as part of the broader economic reform program.
• For BirrValue users, deeper capital markets support stronger domestic banks over time, which can improve FX and remittance services. Day-to-day dollar and birr rates still depend on what each bank offers today. Compare CBE, Awash, Dashen, Abyssinia, and others on [BirrValue](/banks) before you send or convert.