United Capital secures investment banking license in Ethiopia, Rwanda

Pan-African financial services group, United Capital Plc has secured operational licenses in Ethiopia and Rwanda, marking a significant milestone in its aggressive East African expansion strategy.

With the newly acquired approvals, United Capital makes history as the first foreign institution to be licensed to operate as an investment bank in Ethiopia. 

The entry into Ethiopia, one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing economies positions the firm to deliver a robust suite of financial services, including financial advisory, securities brokerage, and portfolio management. 

This move coincides with Ethiopia’s historic steps toward liberalizing its financial sector and launching its own local securities exchange.

The breakthrough in Addis Ababa comes on the heels of the firm securing regulatory approval from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Rwanda, where United Capital has been cleared to provide Trust Services, Investment Banking, and Portfolio Management Services. 

By entering both markets simultaneously, the financial powerhouse has expanded its operational footprint to 12 African countries, reinforcing its strategic transition into a truly pan-African institution.

In a statement on its social media pages celebrating the expansion, the company emphasized its commitment to driving intra-continental wealth creation, noting that Africa’s future will be built by African capital mobilized through African institutions for African prosperity. 

Market analysts view United Capital’s entry into East Africa as a win for the region’s capital markets, which are currently seeking deeper liquidity and increased cross-border investments.