The Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) has appointed Yodit Kassa as Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for the country’s capital markets.
Kassa’s association with ESX began in late 2023 when she joined as Chief Business Development Officer, following nearly a decade with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on its Africa team. She later assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer, applying her expertise across the Exchange’s operations and strategic initiatives.
Holding an MSc in Accounting and Finance from Addis Ababa University, Kassa has been instrumental in advancing ESX’s business development efforts. Her work has focused on strengthening relationships with potential issuers, expanding the listings pipeline, and supporting investor education programmes that have helped deepen market awareness and participation.
As CEO, Kassa will spearhead the next phase of ESX’s growth. Key priorities include expanding the issuer base, increasing market participation, broadening investment opportunities, introducing new products and market segments, and strengthening market infrastructure. These efforts aim to position Ethiopia’s capital markets as a catalyst for investment, innovation, and broader economic transformation.
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The Ethiopian Securities Exchange is Ethiopia’s first and only organised securities exchange. Established as a public-private partnership in line with Article 311 of the Capital Market Proclamation (No. 1248/2021) and licensed by the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), ESX operates as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO).
It serves as the central market organiser, offering an integrated suite of products spanning equities, fixed income, and money market segments.
Kassa’s appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in her ability to guide ESX through this pivotal stage of development and to further the Exchange’s role in supporting Ethiopia’s capital market maturity.
