Ethiopia moves to lift decades-old law banning foreigners from property ownership
Ethiopia is taking a significant step toward economic reform by moving to lift its decades-old law that bans foreigners from owning property.
Ethiopia is planning to lift its longstanding ban on foreign property ownership to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
The reform aims to address barriers such as state interference and institutional weaknesses that deter foreign investors.
Experts suggest it will take time for the reforms to materialize fully and for investors to react to the changes.
This proposed change that will now enable foreigners to own properties in the country is part of the Ethiopian government's broader efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen property rights.
Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, his administration has pursued a series of liberalizing measures aimed at opening up the economy to foreign investment and driving sustained economic growth.
Now, subject to parliamentary approval, land and property reform is set to become the latest addition to these initiatives.
Ethiopia's longstanding prohibition on foreign ownership of land and property has been identified as one of several key constraints deterring foreign investors.
Other barriers include high levels of state interference in the economy, inadequate infrastructure, strict foreign exchange controls, high transaction costs, and institutional weaknesses.
The proposed legal reform represents a major departure from policies dating back to the 1974 communist revolution, which ushered in a system of state ownership of land and tightly restricted private property rights.
Under the current framework, non-Ethiopian individuals and businesses have been barred from owning immovable property for either personal or commercial use.
If passed by parliament, the new legislation could open up Ethiopia's growing economy to a wider range of international investors and signal a deeper shift toward market-oriented reforms.
Experts weigh in on Ethiopia's gains
Ethiopia is undeniably one of Africa's leading economies and an increasingly attractive investment destination, bolstered by its large population, strategic location, and ambitious development agenda.
According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2024, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Ethiopia reached USD 3.26 billion in 2023—down slightly from USD 3.67 billion in 2022, but still above pre-pandemic levels.
This performance placed Ethiopia among the top five FDI destinations on the African continent.
The recent decision to lift the ban on property ownership by foreigners is expected to support several of Ethiopia's development policies aimed at increasing revenue inflows and accelerating economic growth.
Mirkarim Yakubov, an asset manager and investment expert, told African Business that while the move is promising, it will take time for the legislation to be finalized and for foreign investors to fully understand its implications.
As a result, an immediate surge in capital inflows is unlikely.
' The impact will depend on what exactly this law ultimately entails and how it will be implemented, although it's definitely a very interesting move,' he said.
'While they have recently sped up the process to get critical pieces of law into action, it will take time for the government to iron out the details.' Yakubov stated.
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TORONTO, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Currency Exchange International, Corp. (the 'Group' or 'CXI') (TSX: CXI; OTCQX: CURN), today reported net income of $1.98 million for the second quarter of 2025, 291% higher than the prior year (all figures are in U.S. dollars except where otherwise indicated). This 2025 reported net income reflected $2.7 million net income from continuing operations and a net loss of $0.7 million from Exchange Bank of Canada, the Company's Canadian subsidiary which was classified as discontinued operations effective the second quarter of 2025. These results include restructuring charges of $0.2 million, pre-tax, related to discontinued operations in Canada and certain one-time charges of $0.1 million, pre-tax. Excluding these items, the Group's adjusted net income1 increased by 18% compared to the prior year and adjusted diluted earnings per share1 ('EPS') was 24% higher than the prior year. The completed condensed interim consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ('MD&A') can be found on the Group's SEDAR profile at Q2, 2025 Reported Results EBITDA $4.9 million Up 10% YoY Net Income $1.98 million Up 291% YoY Diluted EPS $0.31Up 288% YoY Annualized ROE 5% Down 50% YoY Q2, 2025 Adjusted Results1 EBITDA1 $5.1 million Up 15% YoY Net Income1 $2.3 millionUp 18% YoY Diluted EPS1 $0.36 Up 24% YoY Annualized ROE1 12%Flat YoY Below is a reconciliation of reported results to adjusted results based on non-recurring items: Three-month period endedApril 30, 2025 Three-month period endedApril 30, 2024 Six-month period endedApril 30, 2025 Six-monthperiod endedApril 30, 2024 Reported results $ $ $ $ EBITDA 4,901,810 4,470,061 8,755,560 7,755,158 Group net income 1,983,025 506,522 2,795,555 1,356,397 Pre-tax adjusting items Specified item: Restructuring charges 229,404 - 229,404 - Specified item: Advisory costs* 145,452 - 425,513 - Specified item: Deferred tax assets reversal* - 1,427,600 - 1,429,850 1,427,600 654,917Impact of income tax (72,073) - (80,647) - Adjusted results** EBITDA 5,131,214 4,470,061 8,984,964 7,755,158 Group net income 2,285,808 1,934,122 3,369,825 2,786,247Group Diluted earnings per share Reported 0.31 0.08 0.44 0.21 Adjusted** 0.36 0.29 0.53 0.42 *These adjustments are reported within the results from discontinued operations. **These are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios. For further details, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section below. Total revenue was 3% lower than the prior year due to a decline in consumer demand for foreign currency as travel activity tapered during the current quarter. Although revenue declined, the Company's net income for the second quarter rose compared to the same quarter last year, primarily due to the favorable impact of a weaker U.S. Dollar on the revaluation of foreign currency banknote holdings. The Group's capital position remained robust, and liquidity was strong with $81.2 million in total equity and $60.4 million in net working capital as of April 30, 2025 ($79.4 million and $55.9 million as of October 31, 2024, respectively). All reported amounts are based on the Group's condensed interim consolidated financial statements presented in compliance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial reporting, unless otherwise noted. On February 18, 2025, the Group announced its decision to cease the operations of its wholly owned subsidiary, Exchange Bank of Canada. This strategic decision and operational plan for restructuring were communicated to all staff of EBC on February 19, 2025. Following the cessation of operations, the Bank intends to apply to the Minister of Finance in Canada to discontinue from the Bank Act. The application to discontinue is expected to be made in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the actual discontinuance of the Bank being subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Following the Group's decision, management has commenced implementation of the restructuring and planned discontinuance of the Bank. Management anticipates that certain operating expenses and personnel costs, that are currently shared with EBC, will be 100% borne by the continuing operations of CXI, subsequent to the exit of EBC from Canada, and the current annualized estimate of these costs is approximately $3 million after tax. In the second quarter of 2025, Exchange Bank of Canada was classified as a discontinued operation in the Group's condensed interim consolidated financial statements. On May 20, 2025, CXI upgraded its U.S. securities listing with the Company's shares commencing trading on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol CURN. Randolph Pinna, CEO of the Group, stated, 'The second quarter showed continued growth in the payments business, while with the current political and economic uncertainties, international travel activity to and from the United States decreased banknote revenues. 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Banknotes revenue decreased by 5% or $0.6 million over the prior period while Payments revenue increased by 5% or $0.1 million; Reported EBITDA increased by 10% or $0.4 million to $4.9 million from $4.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA2 was $5.1 million, 15% higher than the prior period; Reported Group net income was $1.98 million, a 291% increase compared to the prior period. Adjusted Group net income2 increased 18% or $0.4 million to $2.3 million from $1.9 million in the prior period; Reported earnings per share were $0.32 and $0.31 on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively, compared to the prior year's reported earnings per share of $0.08 on both a basic and fully diluted basis. Adjusted earnings per share2 were $0.37 and $0.36 on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively, compared to the prior year's adjusted earnings per share of $0.30 and $0.29; and The Group maintained a strong financial position, with net working capital of $60.4 million and total equity of $81.2 million as of April 30, 2025. Financial Highlights for the six-month periods ended April 30, 2025 and 2024: Revenue increased by 3% or $0.8 million to $31.3 million compared to $30.5 million. Payments revenue increased by 11% or $0.5 million and Banknotes revenue increased by 1% or $0.3 million over the prior period; Reported EBITDA increased by 13% or $1.0 million to $8.8 million from $7.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA3 was $9.0 million, 16% higher than the prior period; Reported Group net income was $2.8 million, a 106% increase compared to the prior period. Adjusted Group net income3 increased 21% or $0.6 million to $3.4 million from $2.8 million in the prior period; and Reported earnings per share were $0.45 and $0.44 on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively, compared to the prior year's reported earnings per share of $0.21 on both a basic and fully diluted basis. Adjusted earnings per share3 $0.54 and $0.53 on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively, compared to the prior year's adjusted earnings per share of $0.44 and $0.42. Corporate Highlights for the three-month period ended April 30, 2025: The Group continued its growth in the direct-to-consumer market through its network of company-owned branch locations, agent relationships, and in the majority of states where it operates its OnlineFX platform. During the second quarter of 2025, the Group added the State of Mississippi to its OnlineFX platform network, now operating in 45 states and the District of Columbia; The Group increased its banknotes market penetration into the financial institutions sector in the United States with the addition of 124 new clients in the second quarter of 2025; and The Group continued to grow its Payments product line benefiting from the recent investments in core banking platform integrations which enabled the Group to expand its reach and increase its volumes in the United States. The Group processed 45,788 payment transactions in the second quarter compared to 37,781 payment transactions in the prior period. Selected Financial Data The following table summarizes the performance of the Group over the last eight fiscal quarters: Results of Continuing Operations - Reported Group Net Results - Reported Group Net Results- Adjusted3 Quarterly Results Revenue Net income Earnings per share (diluted) Net income (loss) Earnings/(loss) per share (diluted) Net income Earnings per share (diluted) $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Q2 2025 15,865,150 2,674,849 0.42 1,983,025 0.31 2,285,808 0.36 Q1 2025 15,450,861 1,694,672 0.26 812,530 0.12 1,092,648 0.17 Q4 2024 18,460,390 3,313,852 0.50 (2,817,897) (0.45) 2,780,445 0.42 Q3 2024 19,961,122 5,122,815 0.77 3,935,350 0.59 4,644,984 0.69 Q2 2024 16,358,796 2,731,629 0.41 506,522 0.08 1,934,122 0.29 Q1 2024 14,141,018 2,020,274 0.30 849,874 0.13 849,874 0.13 Q4 2023 18,742,856 3,467,825 0.52 2,303,822 0.34 2,303,822 0.34 Q3 2023 19,416,155 4,650,604 0.69 4,056,478 0.60 4,056,478 0.60 Earnings Conference Call Details CXI plans to host a conference call on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 8:30 AM (EST). To participate in or listen to the call, please dial the appropriate number: Toll Free - North America: (+1) 800 717 1738 Conference ID Number: 21262 About Currency Exchange International, Corp. Currency Exchange International is in the business of providing comprehensive foreign exchange technology and processing services for banks, credit unions, businesses, and consumers in the United States and select clients globally. Primary products and services include the exchange of foreign currencies, wire transfer payments, Global EFTs, and foreign cheque clearing. Wholesale customers are served through its proprietary FX software applications delivered on its web-based interface, ('CXIFX'), its related APIs with core banking platforms, and through personal relationship managers. Consumers are served through Group-owned retail branches, agent retail branches, and its e-commerce platform, ('OnlineFX'). Contact Information For further information please contact: Bill MitoulasInvestor Relations(416) 479-9547Email: KEY PERFORMANCE AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES The Group measures and evaluates its performance, as presented in this document, using a number of financial metrics and measures, such as adjusted net income, which do not have standardized meanings under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and may not be comparable to other companies. The Group's management believes that these measures are more reflective of its operating results and provide the readers of this document with a better understanding of management's perspective on the performance. These measures enhance the comparability of our financial performance for the current year with the corresponding period in the prior year. For further information, including a reconciliation, refer to key performance and non-GAAP financial measures in the MD&A. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, demand and market outlook for wholesale and retail foreign currency exchange products and services, future growth, the timing and scale of future business plans, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'could', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'predict', 'preliminary', 'project', 'will', 'would', and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date such information is provided, and on information available to management at such time. Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Group's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in such forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking information due to a number of factors including, without limitation, the competitive nature of the foreign exchange industry; evolving worldwide geopolitical developments and pandemics including COVID-19 all of which may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic activity, and may continue to result in volatility and disruption to global supply chains, operations, mobility of people and the financial markets which impact personal and business travel, tourism and factors relevant to the Group's business; global economic deterioration negatively impacting tourism in general; currency exchange risks, the need for the Group to manage its planned growth, the effects of product development and the need for continued technological change, protection of the Group's proprietary rights, the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Group and the industry in which it operates, network security risks, the ability of the Group to maintain properly working systems, theft and risk of physical harm to personnel, reliance on key management personnel; volatile securities markets impacting security pricing in a manner unrelated to operating performance and impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital as well as the factors identified throughout this press release and in the section entitled 'Risks and Uncertainties' of the Group's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and six-month periods ended April 30, 2025 and 2024. Forward-looking information contained in this press release represents management's expectations as of the date hereof (or as of the date such information is otherwise stated to be presented) and is subject to change after such date. The Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this press release. 1 These are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios and are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, they are based on management-determined non-recurring items. For further information, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section on page 4 of this document. 2 These are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios and are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, they are based on management-determined non-recurring items. For further information, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section on page 4 of this document.3 These adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios and are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, they are based on management-determined non-recurring items. For further information, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section on page 4 of this in to access your portfolio
