“Strong organizational capacity is essential for the successful implementation of bank capitalization, mergers, and acquisitions,” said economics professor Alemayehu Geda.
Speaking at a panel discussion organized by Zemen Bank on June 11, 2026, Professor Alemayehu Geda explained that mergers among banks can help increase capital, reduce costs, strengthen technological capabilities and create competitive institutions. He also emphasized that there are potential risks related to failing to be a competitive institution.
Professor Alemayehu also noted that Zemen Bank has demonstrated strong strategic readiness in terms of capital position, digital readiness, governance quality and brand positioning and others.
During the event, Wro Enye Bemir, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Zemen Bank, stated in her message that the professional analysis presented and the discussions held during the panel created valuable knowledge. She stressed that similar engagements should continue and further strengthened in the future.
In his opening remarks, Dereje Zebene, Chief Executive Officer of Zemen Bank, explained that the panel discussion was organized to foster a shared understanding among banks, regulatory bodies, investors and other stakeholders, and to generate insights that can inform future strategic directions.
Professor Alemayehu Geda is a Professor of Development Macroeconomics and International Economics at Addis Ababa University. He has taught and conducted extensive research in the areas of macroeconomics, macroeconometric modeling, international trade, and development finance.
