The ECMA was established under Proclamation No. 1248/2021 as part of Ethiopia’s broader economic reforms aimed at liberalizing the financial sector and fostering private investment. The authority’s creation marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to develop a regulated capital market .
In July 2025, Ethiopia officially launched the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), with Wegagen Bank becoming the first company to be listed. This event marked the commencement of regulated trading of government and equity securities in Ethiopia .
