Building Ethiopia's Premier Digital Sub-Brokerage
We are building the digital securities trading platform that connects Ethiopian and international investors to the ESX through licensed broker and dealer partners.
Our Journey
From a bold idea to building Ethiopia's digital sub-brokerage
The Idea
The Ethiopian Government ratifies the Capital Market Proclamation (No. 1248/2021) in July, establishing the legal framework for a securities exchange and signaling a historic shift toward an open financial economy.
Inspired by the lack of accessible investment systems in Ethiopia, EthioShare is conceived. At the time, buying and selling shares required knowing a human broker — there was no digital alternative. The original vision was a peer-to-peer digital marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of shares directly.
The Idea
The Ethiopian Government ratifies the Capital Market Proclamation (No. 1248/2021) in July, establishing the legal framework for a securities exchange and signaling a historic shift toward an open financial economy.
Inspired by the lack of accessible investment systems in Ethiopia, EthioShare is conceived. At the time, buying and selling shares required knowing a human broker — there was no digital alternative. The original vision was a peer-to-peer digital marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of shares directly.
The Pivot
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) becomes operational. Feasibility studies and institutional groundwork for the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) begin, moving from a legal framework toward a physical roadmap for the exchange.
As the regulatory landscape takes shape, EthioShare pivots from a peer-to-peer marketplace to building a full brokerage platform. The team begins developing the trading infrastructure, user experience, and backend systems needed to operate as a licensed broker in the emerging capital market.
The Pivot
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) becomes operational. Feasibility studies and institutional groundwork for the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) begin, moving from a legal framework toward a physical roadmap for the exchange.
As the regulatory landscape takes shape, EthioShare pivots from a peer-to-peer marketplace to building a full brokerage platform. The team begins developing the trading infrastructure, user experience, and backend systems needed to operate as a licensed broker in the emerging capital market.
The Sub-Broker Framework
ECMA issues Directive No. 980/2024, establishing the regulatory framework for securities brokers, dealers, and digital sub-brokers. The directive defines licensing requirements, capital thresholds, and operational standards for digital intermediaries.
With the new directive clarifying the path for digital platforms, EthioShare pivots again — this time from broker to digital sub-broker. The platform is rebuilt as a microservices architecture designed to operate under licensed broker/dealer sponsors, focusing on the consumer trading experience and broker administration tooling rather than back-office settlement operations.
The Sub-Broker Framework
ECMA issues Directive No. 980/2024, establishing the regulatory framework for securities brokers, dealers, and digital sub-brokers. The directive defines licensing requirements, capital thresholds, and operational standards for digital intermediaries.
With the new directive clarifying the path for digital platforms, EthioShare pivots again — this time from broker to digital sub-broker. The platform is rebuilt as a microservices architecture designed to operate under licensed broker/dealer sponsors, focusing on the consumer trading experience and broker administration tooling rather than back-office settlement operations.
ESX Goes Live
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launches the Ethiopian Securities Exchange on January 10, 2025. Wegagen Bank becomes the first listed company. Licensed brokers and dealers begin trading.
EthioShare completes its core platform build — including a consumer mobile and web app with paper trading, a multilingual AI financial assistant (Tibeb), and a white-label broker administration portal. The team begins regulatory alignment work toward digital sub-broker licensing under Directive 980/2024.
ESX Goes Live
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launches the Ethiopian Securities Exchange on January 10, 2025. Wegagen Bank becomes the first listed company. Licensed brokers and dealers begin trading.
EthioShare completes its core platform build — including a consumer mobile and web app with paper trading, a multilingual AI financial assistant (Tibeb), and a white-label broker administration portal. The team begins regulatory alignment work toward digital sub-broker licensing under Directive 980/2024.
Building Partnerships
The Ethiopian capital market enters its first full cycle of operation. Nine capital market service providers are licensed by ECMA. ESX targets 50 listed companies and 3 million retail investors by 2029.
EthioShare is actively engaging with ESX leadership and seeking licensed securities brokers and dealers as sponsoring partners to bring accessible, multilingual digital trading to millions of Ethiopian investors.
Building Partnerships
The Ethiopian capital market enters its first full cycle of operation. Nine capital market service providers are licensed by ECMA. ESX targets 50 listed companies and 3 million retail investors by 2029.
EthioShare is actively engaging with ESX leadership and seeking licensed securities brokers and dealers as sponsoring partners to bring accessible, multilingual digital trading to millions of Ethiopian investors.
Meet the Founding Team
Tsega
Chief Executive Officer
Software Engineering at Doordash. Computer Science graduate from the University of SouthFlorida. Previous software engineer at Amazon.
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Nahom
Chief Technology Officer
Machine Learning Researcher at Microsoft. Previously Predictive Analysis/ML at T-Mobile, Quantitative Research Intern at D.E. Shaw Group, Data Research Analyst at CERN
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