EthSwitch Explores AI, Cross-Border Payments, and Digital Finance Partnership with Huawei
Ethiopia’s national payment switch, EthSwitch, is exploring deeper collaboration with global technology company Huawei to strengthen the country’s digital payments ecosystem through artificial intelligence (AI), modern payment infrastructure, and cross-border payment connectivity with China.
The discussions took place during a meeting in Addis Ababa between Fernando Liu, President of Huawei Digital Finance’s Central Bank & Non-Traditional Finance Business Unit, and Yilebes Addis, Chief Executive Officer of EthSwitch. The talks focused on several strategic areas, including AI-powered financial services, mobile banking innovation, secure payment infrastructure, cross-border payment integration, and technology skills development.
The engagement reflects EthSwitch’s broader strategy to work with leading global technology partners as Ethiopia accelerates the modernization of its financial sector and expands access to interoperable digital payment services.
AI and Digital Innovation at the Centre of Discussions
One of the key areas of collaboration under consideration is the use of artificial intelligence to improve payment processing, strengthen fraud detection, enhance cybersecurity, and automate financial operations.
Both organisations also discussed modernizing Ethiopia’s payment infrastructure to support increasing transaction volumes while improving reliability, scalability, and operational efficiency. As digital payments continue to grow across the country, advanced technologies such as AI are expected to play a critical role in delivering faster, safer, and more intelligent financial services.
Strengthening Ethiopia’s National Payment Infrastructure
EthSwitch has become a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s digital financial ecosystem by providing interoperable payment services that connect banks, fintech companies, and payment service providers across the country.
Its platform supports a wide range of services, including:
• ATM interoperability
• Point-of-sale (POS) transactions
• QR code payments
• Instant payment services
• Payment gateway solutions
• Interbank electronic transactions
The organisation recently reported processing approximately 387 million interoperable transactions valued at ETB 1.26 trillion during the 2025/26 fiscal year while recording ETB 2.6 billion in profit before tax. The figures highlight the rapid adoption of digital payments in Ethiopia and the growing importance of national payment infrastructure.
Cross-Border Payments with China
Another major focus of the discussions was improving payment connectivity between Ethiopia and China.
The proposed collaboration could support closer integration with China’s payment and clearing ecosystem, making cross-border transactions faster, more secure, and more efficient for businesses and consumers.
Improved payment interoperability could benefit:
• International trade settlements
• Tourism payments
• Business transactions
• Investment flows
• Cross-border digital commerce
As China remains Ethiopia’s largest bilateral trading partner, enhanced payment connectivity has the potential to simplify commercial activities while reducing transaction costs and processing times.
Huawei’s Growing Digital Finance Presence
Huawei has significantly expanded its presence in the global financial technology sector by providing digital banking, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and payment infrastructure solutions.
The company supports banks, central banks, payment operators, and financial institutions in more than 60 countries, helping modernize financial services through secure and intelligent digital technologies.
Its experience in deploying large-scale financial technology platforms positions it as a potential technology partner for countries investing in next-generation payment systems.
Building Local Digital Skills
Beyond technology deployment, the discussions also explored opportunities for knowledge transfer and technical capacity building.
The two organisations examined ways to strengthen local expertise by supporting skills development programmes for Ethiopia’s growing fintech and digital finance workforce.
Developing domestic technical talent is expected to complement investments in infrastructure while helping Ethiopia build a sustainable and self-reliant digital financial ecosystem.
Supporting Ethiopia’s Digital Finance Future
As Ethiopia continues to liberalize its financial sector and expand financial inclusion, strategic partnerships between national infrastructure providers and global technology companies are becoming increasingly important.
The discussions between EthSwitch and Huawei demonstrate Ethiopia’s commitment to adopting emerging technologies that can improve payment efficiency, strengthen security, expand interoperability, and support economic growth.
While no formal agreement has been announced, the talks represent another step toward building a more connected, intelligent, and globally integrated payments ecosystem for Ethiopia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is EthSwitch?
EthSwitch is Ethiopia’s national payment switch that enables interoperable electronic payments between banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, and payment service providers.
2. Why are EthSwitch and Huawei collaborating?
The discussions focus on exploring cooperation in artificial intelligence, payment infrastructure modernization, mobile banking innovation, cybersecurity, digital skills development, and cross-border payment connectivity.
3. How can AI improve digital payments?
Artificial intelligence can help detect fraud, automate payment processing, improve customer experience, strengthen cybersecurity, optimize payment networks, and increase operational efficiency.
4. Why is cross-border payment connectivity with China important?
China is Ethiopia’s largest trading partner. Improved payment connectivity could simplify international transactions, support trade, reduce payment delays, and improve financial services for businesses operating between both countries.
5. What services does EthSwitch currently provide?
EthSwitch supports ATM interoperability, QR code payments, point-of-sale transactions, instant payments, payment gateways, and interbank electronic payment services.
6. How is Ethiopia’s digital payments market growing?
Digital payment adoption has increased rapidly in recent years, with EthSwitch processing hundreds of millions of interoperable transactions annually as financial institutions continue expanding digital banking services.
7. What role does Huawei play in digital finance?
Huawei provides cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital banking platforms, and payment infrastructure solutions to financial institutions, banks, and payment operators worldwide.
8. Will this partnership improve financial inclusion?
Potentially, yes. Enhanced payment infrastructure, stronger interoperability, AI-powered services, and improved digital financial capabilities could help expand access to secure and efficient financial services across Ethiopia.
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