Since his appointment in 2022, Admassu Tadesse has led the Trade and Development Bank of Eastern and Southern Africa (TDB) Group with a clear and determined vision. Drawing on his expertise in economics and finance, he provides committed leadership to help TDB double its figures and improve intra-African trade, while supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Admassu Tadesse has been President and Group CEO of the Trade and Development Bank of Eastern and Southern Africa (TDB) since 2022. Previously, he led the PTA Bank and its transformation into TDB. Under his leadership, the TDB Group has expanded into a number of new markets, with new business units and strategic subsidiaries, achieving investment grade credit ratings and increasing its total assets approximately tenfold to US$10 billion by 2023. Its share capital has also multiplied, with its investor base more than doubling to 48 shareholders.
We are aware of the imperitus, the challenges and importance in the trade segment and I think we need to sensitize more. Now its just the practicalities, how can we move the needle further,how can we do it in a sustainable way and how can we encourage more innovation and make risk appetites go up a little bit more.
ADMASSU TADESSE, Chairman and CEO, TDB – Ethiopia
Under his governance in 2024, the Bank has also maintained the good quality of its assets, with non-performing loans at just 3.6%, and retaining a capital adequacy level of 35%. The portfolio has remained strong, mainly thanks to proactive portfolio management strategies and solid risk management practices.
We need to find ways to work together so we have a number of clubs and syndications where we get together and co finance projects, we co finance facilities, before we obviously all have to share risk
ADMASSU TADESSE, Chairman and CEO, TDB – Ethiopia
Admassu Tadesse has received a number of distinctions and awards, including African Banker of the Year, African Business Leader of the Year and Development Banker of the Year.
We have a board of regulations but there are different types of regulations that need to be updated in the context of the AfCFTA. We need to allow cross border transactions to happen more easily and at an accessible cost as well.
ADMASSU TADESSE, Chairman and CEO, TDB – Ethiopia
Since 2022, impressive progress has been made under Admassu Tadesse’s leadership, enabling the Group to win several awards and distinctions, including the African Banker of the Year award, presented at the beginning of 2024 at the prestigious African Banker Awards ceremony. The Group intends to maintain and improve this position.
