AmendmentTrade
FXD/05/2026 – AMENDMENT TO FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIRECTIVE NO. FXD/01/2024
National Bank of EthiopiaFXD/05/2026
Summary
This directive amends Foreign Exchange Directive No. FXD/01/2024 by authorizing commercial banks to approve letters of credit and cash against documents for institutions holding foreign currency or retention accounts, without prior approval from the National Bank of Ethiopia. It also allows these institutions to initiate goods for shipment prior to bank approval, with payment processing subject to document verification.
Who's affected
Importers and exporters who hold foreign currency accounts or retention accounts.
Action required
Businesses holding foreign currency or retention accounts should familiarize themselves with the updated approval processes for letters of credit and cash against documents for trade-related shipments.
Key points
4- Amendment to Foreign Exchange Directive No. FXD/01/2024.
- Banks can now approve LCs and CAD on acceptance without NBE prior approval for eligible accounts.
- Institutions with foreign currency or retention accounts can initiate shipments before bank approval.
- Payment processing depends on document verification.
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Requirements
4- Banks are authorized to approve letter of credit on acceptance for any institutions holding foreign currency account, and holders of retention accounts without prior approval of NBE.
- Banks are authorized to approve cash against document on acceptance for any institutions holding foreign currency account including holders of retention accounts without prior approval of NBE.
- Institutions holding foreign currency accounts, including holders of retention accounts, can order or initiate goods for shipment prior to bank approval.
- Payment processing shall be subject to submission and verification of the required documents.
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Rights and permissions
2- Institutions holding foreign currency accounts, including holders of retention accounts, can order or initiate goods for shipment prior to bank approval.
- Banks are authorized to approve letters of credit and cash against documents without prior approval of NBE for eligible institutions.
Restrictions
1- Payment processing for initiated shipments is subject to submission and verification of required documents.
Objectives
6- To relax foreign exchange administration for ease of doing business.
- To enhance the business community's confidence in the foreign exchange reform.
- To further decentralize foreign exchange administration.
- To improve operational efficiency for importers.
- To streamline import processes.
- To support international trade.
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Organizations
1- National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE)
Legal references
3- Foreign Exchange Directive No. FXD/01/2024
- National Bank of Ethiopia Establishment (Amended) Proclamation No. 1359/2025, Article 6 (2) and (17)
- National Bank of Ethiopia Establishment (Amended) Proclamation No. 1359/2025, Article 39
Original sourcehttps://nbe.gov.et/files/fxd-05-2026/
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