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.