Ethiopian Securities Exchange Names Yodit Kassa CEO, Founding Boss Resigns

The Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) has appointed Yodit Kassa as chief executive following the resignation of founding CEO Dr. Tilahun Esmael Kassahun, marking the first leadership transition at the exchange since it began operations in January 2025.

• Kassa, previously ESX’s Chief Operating Officer, has been involved with the exchange since its project phase and previously held senior roles in business and market development.
• ESX said her appointment is intended to provide continuity as the exchange expands its operations and market reach.
• ESX did not disclose the reason for Tilahun’s resignation or announce his next role.

Tilahun joined the securities exchange project office in 2022 and was appointed founding CEO in November 2023. During his tenure, ESX established its governance, staffing, technology and operating infrastructure and built relationships with regulators, investors, issuers and market intermediaries.

The exchange also completed a capital raise of ETB 1.51 billion from 48 domestic and foreign institutional investors, above its initial ETB 631 million target.

ESX formally launched on January 10, 2025, bringing securities trading onto a formal exchange platform in Ethiopia. Its listed companies have since expanded to include banks and Ethio Telecom, while the introduction of Treasury bill listings and secondary-market trading broadened activity beyond equities.

The exchange has also supported Ethiopia’s Interbank Money Market, where cumulative transactions surpassed ETB 3 trillion by June 2026.

ESX said Kassa will lead the next phase of development, with priorities including expanding the issuer base, increasing market participation, introducing new products and market segments and strengthening market infrastructure.

The appointment keeps leadership within the existing ESX management team as the exchange continues to expand listings, products and participation following its first full year of operations.