Building Trading Technology for Ethiopia's Licensed Brokers
We are a technology vendor 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 trading technology for Ethiopia's capital market
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.
At the time, buying or selling shares in Ethiopia meant knowing a broker in person, and few people did. EthioShare starts as a simple online marketplace where sellers post their shares and buyers place bids, connecting people who otherwise had no way to find each other.
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.
At the time, buying or selling shares in Ethiopia meant knowing a broker in person, and few people did. EthioShare starts as a simple online marketplace where sellers post their shares and buyers place bids, connecting people who otherwise had no way to find each other.
Finding the Shape
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) becomes operational, and the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) is incorporated in October 2023. A legal framework starts becoming a real institution.
As the regulatory picture comes into focus, the idea grows from a simple marketplace into a full digital trading platform: the apps, the experience, and the systems an investor would actually use to reach the market. The technology is rebuilt and refined as the market takes shape.
Finding the Shape
The Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) becomes operational, and the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) is incorporated in October 2023. A legal framework starts becoming a real institution.
As the regulatory picture comes into focus, the idea grows from a simple marketplace into a full digital trading platform: the apps, the experience, and the systems an investor would actually use to reach the market. The technology is rebuilt and refined as the market takes shape.
A Path Opens
ECMA issues Directive No. 980/2024, defining how securities brokers, dealers, and digital sub-brokers can be licensed, with capital requirements and operational standards for each. For the first time, there is a concrete legal path for a software-first company to take part in the market.
With the rules now defined, EthioShare sets out to become a digital sub-broker and rebuilds its platform on a modern microservices architecture designed for that model. The team tracks every development in a fast-moving market, ready to move as it matures.
A Path Opens
ECMA issues Directive No. 980/2024, defining how securities brokers, dealers, and digital sub-brokers can be licensed, with capital requirements and operational standards for each. For the first time, there is a concrete legal path for a software-first company to take part in the market.
With the rules now defined, EthioShare sets out to become a digital sub-broker and rebuilds its platform on a modern microservices architecture designed for that model. The team tracks every development in a fast-moving market, ready to move as it matures.
ESX Goes Live
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launches the Ethiopian Securities Exchange on January 10, 2025, with Wegagen Bank as the first listed company. In March, ECMA licenses the first securities dealer and investment banks, and regulated trading begins.
EthioShare evolves its architecture again into the system it runs today. Tibeb takes shape in this period: an AI built on each broker's own knowledge, able to answer with the full context of how that firm works, far more than a generic assistant.
ESX Goes Live
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launches the Ethiopian Securities Exchange on January 10, 2025, with Wegagen Bank as the first listed company. In March, ECMA licenses the first securities dealer and investment banks, and regulated trading begins.
EthioShare evolves its architecture again into the system it runs today. Tibeb takes shape in this period: an AI built on each broker's own knowledge, able to answer with the full context of how that firm works, far more than a generic assistant.
Becoming the Partner
The Ethiopian capital market enters its first full cycle of operation, with more licensed service providers joining and ESX targeting roughly 50 listed companies and 3 million retail investors by 2029.
After communicating with key players across the market, EthioShare makes its defining shift: from pursuing a digital sub-broker license of its own to becoming the technology partner behind licensed brokers. It delivers both the consumer trading app and the broker back-office system that connects to the exchange, equipping the firms that hold the market relationships and the license.
Becoming the Partner
The Ethiopian capital market enters its first full cycle of operation, with more licensed service providers joining and ESX targeting roughly 50 listed companies and 3 million retail investors by 2029.
After communicating with key players across the market, EthioShare makes its defining shift: from pursuing a digital sub-broker license of its own to becoming the technology partner behind licensed brokers. It delivers both the consumer trading app and the broker back-office system that connects to the exchange, equipping the firms that hold the market relationships and the license.
Meet the Founding Team
Tsega
General Manager
Software Engineering at DoorDash. Computer Science graduate from the University of South Florida. Previously a software engineer at Amazon.
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