Michu Digital Loan — A Story of Growth, Dreams, and Digital Possibilities
In the heart of Ethiopia, where bustling markets meet quiet home based workshops, and where young dreams rise beside long established businesses, a quiet transformation has been unfolding.
It begins with people, not numbers.
A young woman opening her first small tailoring shop in a crowded street of Addis Ababa. A father running a modest retail stall, carefully counting daily earnings. A woman trader in a rural town, waking before sunrise to prepare goods for the market. A young entrepreneur with big ideas but limited capital.
They all share one thing in common, the need for opportunity.
For many years, that opportunity often came with barriers. Long queues. Paperwork. Collateral requirements. Waiting times that slowed dreams down.
Until something changed.
The Arrival of Michu
One day, a different kind of solution arrived quietly but powerfully.
Michu Digital Loan.
Not a building to visit. Not a queue to stand in. But a digital companion carried in the palm of a hand.
A system designed not just to lend money but to open doors.
Through a simple mobile experience, entrepreneurs could now access financial support quickly, safely, and conveniently whenever opportunity knocked.
And for many, that moment changed everything.
Since its launch, Michu has already disbursed over ETB 53 billion, helping millions of entrepreneurs across Ethiopia access finance without collateral and move their businesses forward.
Three Paths, One Purpose
Michu was never designed as one size fits all. Instead, it recognized the diversity of Ethiopia’s entrepreneurs and responded with three meaningful paths.
Michu Wabi, For the Builders of Bigger Dreams
For formal traders and growing businesses, Michu Wabi offers up to ETB 300,000, enabling expansion, stronger cash flow, and sustainable growth.
For many, it meant expansion. New stock. New branches. Stronger cash flow. The confidence to grow beyond limits.
Michu Guyya, For the Everyday Hustlers
For informal traders and daily earners, Michu Guyya provides quick support of up to ETB 15,000.
It became the small but powerful push that kept businesses moving. Buying goods. Restocking shelves. Sustaining daily life without interruption.
Michu Kiyya, For Women Who Lead Change
For women entrepreneurs, Michu Kiyya offers up to ETB 75,000, a recognition of strength, resilience, and leadership.
It became more than finance. It became trust. It became empowerment. It became momentum.
A Shift Beyond Banking
Michu was not just another financial product.
It was a shift in how people accessed opportunity.
No long paperwork. No unnecessary barriers. No waiting for weeks.
Just a digital pathway that understood the urgency of real life.
Behind it was a simple belief. Finance should not slow people down. It should move with them.
And so, entrepreneurs began to experience something new.
Faster decisions. Simpler access. More time to focus on what truly mattered, building, selling, growing, and dreaming.
Where Stories Begin to Multiply
Soon, the impact began to echo across neighborhoods and towns.
A shop expanded its shelves. A small café hired an extra worker. A woman led business moved from survival to stability. A young entrepreneur turned a side idea into a growing venture.
And with each success story, another followed.
Because when one business grows, it does not grow alone. It creates jobs, supports families, and strengthens entire communities.
A Future Written Together
Today, as Ethiopia moves steadily toward a more digital economy, Michu stands quietly in the background of many success stories.
Not as the hero, but as the enabler.
A trusted financial companion helping entrepreneurs take the next step and then the next.
And perhaps that is its greatest role, not just providing loans but helping possibilities become reality.
Because in the end, every business that grows tells the same story.
When access is simple, dreams move faster.
When support is timely, futures become brighter.
And when opportunity is shared, a nation moves forward together.
Coopbank, TerraPay and Quantoz Launch Blockchain-Based Remittance Settlement for Inward Remittances to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 6, 2026- Coopbank in partnership with global payments infrastructure company TerraPay, has announced the launch of a blockchain-based settlement system for inward remittances to Ethiopia. This initiative marks a significant step toward faster, more transparent, and more reliable cross-border financial services.
Ethiopia, one of Africa’s largest remittance-receiving countries with inflows exceeding USD 5 billion annually, is undergoing financial sector reforms aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in foreign exchange and cross-border payments.
The initiative supports euro-denominated remittance flows from Europe by combining TerraPay’s global cross-border payments network, Coopbank’s nationwide banking reach, and regulated digital euro settlement infrastructure provided by Quantoz Payments. Together, these components enhance efficiency, transparency, and reliability across the remittance corridor.
By integrating advanced digital settlement mechanisms with Coopbank’s extensive banking network, the bank continues to strengthen its position as a leading digital financial services provider. The initiative also extends the reach of inward remittances across Ethiopia’s domestic financial system, supporting households and communities nationwide while remaining fully aligned with local banking and regulatory requirements. This aligns with Coopbank’s purpose of empowering communities and transforming lives.
Coopbank CEO Mr. Deribie Asfaw stated that inward remittances are vital to both households and the wider economy. “Through this collaboration, Coopbank enhances its role as a leading digital bank, delivering secure, fast, and fully compliant remittance services while supporting financial inclusion and expanding access to reliable financial solutions nationwide.”
TerraPay CEO Ambar Sur noted that the collaboration delivers infrastructure that is faster and more reliable for diaspora remittances and can be extended to other global corridors. Quantoz CEO Arnoud Star Busmann highlighted that regulated digital euro instruments enable transparent and compliant settlement while reducing the need for costly pre-funding.The initiative is supported by the Inclusive Financial Technology Foundation (INFTF), which said it lays the foundation for modernizing cross-border settlement infrastructure and expanding financial inclusion in emerging markets.
Coopbank Drives SDG Action at ARFSD-12
Cooperative Bank of Oromia recently took center stage at the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa. Speaking at a high-level Fireside Chat, CEO Mr. Deribe Asfaw emphasized that for Coopbank, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a fundamental identity rather than a policy choice. By scaling purpose-driven innovation and digital ecosystems, the bank now contributes to more than 60% of the SDGs in Ethiopia.
The bank’s impact is evidenced by over 22 million digitally enabled customers and ETB 52.5 billion in credit disbursed through the Michu platform. These initiatives have financed approximately 3 million MSMEs with 80% inclusion for youth and women and supported the creation of 2.7 million jobs. By addressing the structural barriers that leave 70% of smallholder farmers without formal credit, Coopbank is leveraging data-driven, collateral-free financing through platforms like Michu and Farmpass to drive national economic participation.
Mr. Deribe Asfaw concluded by noting that the bank is successfully turning global goals into tangible action. By scaling what works and delivering impact where it matters most, the Cooperative Bank of Oromia continues to transform financial inclusion into a powerful engine for broad economic transformation across the region.
Coopbank and UNDP Sign MoU to Strengthen Climate Risk Management in Agriculture
The Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coopbank) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen climate risk management in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector through innovative financial solutions.
The partnership aims to bridge the agricultural financing gap by embedding climate insurance into Coopbank’s lending operations, thereby enhancing resilience for smallholder farmers facing climate-related shocks.
Under the agreement, UNDP will provide technical assistance including the establishment of a dedicated Insurance Desk at the bank, climate risk analytics for loan portfolios, co-design and piloting of credit-linked insurance products, capital mobilization support, and capacity building in climate risk and insurance product development.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Coopbank CEO Mr. Deribie Asfaw highlighted the importance of the partnership in leveraging UNDP’s global expertise to strengthen financial inclusion and expand support for farmers across Ethiopia. The initiative, supported by UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) under the Financial Resilience in Agriculture (FRA) program, represents a key step toward integrating insurance into agricultural lending and building a more climate-resilient agricultural finance system in Ethiopia.
Coopbank Named Mastercard’s Top Farm Pass Partner in Africa for 2025
Coopbank is proud to be recognized by Mastercard as the Top Performing Farm Pass Partner in Africa for 2025, marking a major milestone in its efforts to digitally transform Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.
This recognition reflects Coopbank’s strategic commitment to modernizing agricultural value chains through the rollout of the Farm Pass platform across seven regions in Ethiopia. To date, the platform has onboarded nearly 600,000 farmers and over 1,070 cooperatives.
Through Farm Pass, cooperatives have digitized their operations, joined a digital marketplace, and established structured connections with off-takers. At the same time, farmers have been digitally profiled and onboarded, enabling the capture of verified production, transaction, and market data.
As a result, previously informal agricultural activities are being transformed into visible, trusted, and finance-ready digital records, enabling thousands of farmers to access data-driven credit while strengthening agricultural value chains end-to-end.
Coopbank CEO Mr. Deribie Asfaw and his team received the award during a ceremony held at the Coopbank Head Office, where it was presented by Mr. Shehryar Bakht Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard, and his team.
This recognition highlights Coopbank’s continued leadership in advancing inclusive digital finance and promoting farmer-centric innovation across Ethiopia.
Michu Reaches ETB 50 Billion, Transforming Digital Lending in Ethiopia
Michu Digital Loan, Ethiopia’s first collateral-free digital lending service by Cooperative Bank of Oromia in partnership with KIFIYA Financial Technology, has achieved a remarkable milestone, disbursing over ETB 50 billion in just three and a half years.
Since its launch, Michu has played a transformative role in expanding access to finance, empowering millions of citizens and supporting entrepreneurs across the country. Through 2.8 million accounts, the platform has delivered fast, convenient, and uncollateralized loans, helping individuals and small businesses grow and thrive.
As a pioneer in digital lending, Michu continues to drive financial inclusion in Ethiopia by offering tailored solutions for diverse customer needs:
- Up to ETB 300,000 through Michu Wabi, designed for formal businesses
- Up to ETB 75,000 through Michu Kiyya, designed specifically for women entrepreneurs
- Up to ETB 15,000 through Michu Guya, designed for informal businesses
To ensure users always enjoy the best experience, the Michu platform is continuously updated, introducing new features and improvements to better serve entrepreneurs and businesses at every stage.
By providing flexible, collateral-free financing, Michu is not only transforming digital lending in Ethiopia but also unlocking new opportunities and driving inclusive economic development across the nation.
Whether your business is just starting out or already running, now is the perfect time to seize this opportunity and grow your venture.
Score a Trip of a Lifetime: Fly to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Coop VISA Cards
The world’s biggest football stage is calling, and Coopbank is ready to take you there. In partnership with Visa Inc., we are offering an exclusive opportunity for our cardholders to win a fully sponsored trip to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live in North America.
Your everyday purchases are now your ticket to the North America stadium.
Eligible Cards
- VISA Classic Debit (Conventional and IFB)
- VISA Classic Prepaid (For abroad travelers)
- VISA Platinum Prepaid (For Platinum Customers)
How to Enter
Participation is simple and automatic. No registration is required.
-Transact & Qualify: Use your Coop VISA Card at any POS terminal and pay a minimum of 200 ETB locally or 20 USD internationally, or deposit cash starting from ETB 1,000 via our modern ATMs
-Earn: Each qualifying transaction automatically generates a lottery ticket in your name
Strategic Ways to Win
-The more you use your Coop VISA Cards, the higher your chances of winning.
- Every qualifying transaction counts as an entry
-Earn up to 5 tickets per day, per card
-Get a maximum of 2 tickets per POS location daily
Use your card for shopping, dining, and everyday spending. Each swipe brings you closer to the biggest stage in football.
The Grand Prize: A VIP Experience
Lucky winners will enjoy a once in a lifetime journey to North America, including
- Round trip international airfare
- Luxury accommodation
- Official match tickets to experience the electrifying atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live
This is more than a campaign. It is your chance to be part of football history.
Start transacting. Start winning. The world is waiting!
Coopbank Officially Launches VISA Card Services and “Travel to FIFA World Cup 2026™” Campaign
Coopbank has announced a major milestone in its digital transformation journey with the official launch of its International Card Services in partnership with Visa. This initiative marks a significant step toward expanding modern, secure, and globally accepted payment solutions for its customers.
As part of the launch, the Bank has introduced a suite of VISA card products tailored to different customer segments. These include the VISA Classic Debit Card (available in both Conventional and Interest-Free versions), the VISA Classic Prepaid Card designed for international travelers, and the VISA Platinum Prepaid Card, which offers enhanced services for high-value customers.
To commemorate this milestone, Coopbank has also unveiled the “Travel to FIFA World Cup 2026™” campaign, offering customers a unique opportunity to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
Through this campaign, two lucky customers, each accompanied by one guest, will win a fully sponsored travel package. The package includes round-trip airfare, accommodation, meals, match tickets, and other related expenses, enabling winners to experience one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events live.
The campaign is designed to encourage customers to adopt digital payment solutions and actively use their Coopbank VISA cards for both domestic and international transactions. By doing so, customers not only benefit from secure and convenient banking services but also stand a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Coopbank remains committed to delivering innovative financial solutions that enhance customer experience while connecting them to global opportunities.
Customers are encouraged to start using their VISA cards today and take part in this exciting journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Coopbank Celebrates 21 Years of Excellence
Coopbank celebrated its 21st Anniversary with a series of events held at the Head Office, District, and Branch levels across the country. The celebrations brought together the Bank’s leadership and employees to commemorate more than two decades of growth, innovation, and steadfast commitment to its purpose of “Empowering Communities and Transforming Lives.”
Over the past two decades, Coopbank has grown into one of the leading banks in Ethiopia, driven by its strong focus on financial inclusion, digital transformation, and customer-centric services. The Bank continues to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses through uncollateralized digital loans provided via its Michu platforms, while facilitating seamless transactions through Coopay E-birr, its digital payment ecosystem. Coopbank also remains committed to supporting cooperatives and farmers through tailored financial solutions that enhance productivity and promote sustainable economic development.
As it marks this significant milestone, Coopbank reaffirms its commitment to innovation, customer-centric service, and expanding inclusive financial opportunities for communities across the country
Coopbank Celebrates International Women’s Day 2026
Coopbank, renowned for its commitment to empowering women for a brighter future, proudly celebrated International Women’s Day 2026. The occasion was marked by a vibrant gathering at the Bank’s Head Office, bringing together senior leaders and outstanding women professionals who are making remarkable contributions in leadership and frontline roles across the institution.
The celebration highlighted the Bank’s continued dedication to promoting gender equality and recognizing the vital role of women in driving innovation, strengthening communities, and shaping a more inclusive future. Through its inclusive workplace culture and targeted financial solutions, Coopbank remains steadfast in its mission to empower women and support their journey toward economic independence and leadership.
