The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has intensified its digital transformation efforts with the launch of two major mobile applications, StarPay and CBE Connect, rolled out just a week apart. These closely timed releases signify a strategic initiative by the country’s largest bank to expand its presence in digital finance and support Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 agenda.
CBE officially launched StarPay January 2026, unveiling a comprehensive digital payment and accounting platform developed in partnership with Eaglelion System Technology (StarPay Financial Technologies). During the launch event, Ephrem Mekuria, CBE’s Executive Vice President, emphasized that the bank views digital transformation as essential rather than optional. He noted that StarPay is designed to offer more than just basic payment services by integrating tools tailored for both businesses and everyday users.
Key features of StarPay include:
- VAT Return Submission: Allows direct linkage to the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority for business users.
- Offline and Online Transaction Capability: Ensures continued service during connectivity disruptions.
- Integrated Accounting Tools: Aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The platform is expected to streamline payments, tax compliance, and financial management, especially for merchants and growing businesses. A week later, CBE launched CBE Connect, a mobile banking application focused on cross-border transactions and remittances. Unlike StarPay’s focus on domestic users, CBE Connect is designed primarily for diaspora and international users.
It features a multi-currency wallet that supports both Ethiopian birr (ETB) and US dollars (USD). Users can send money directly to Ethiopian bank accounts or mobile wallets using Visa and MasterCard, reducing reliance on traditional remittance channels. Bank officials say CBE Connect aims to provide faster, more transparent, and secure remittance services while strengthening ties between the diaspora and the domestic financial system.
The launches align with Ethiopia’s National Digital Payments Strategy (2026–2030), which prioritizes cash-lite transactions, interoperability, and broader financial inclusion. By introducing two distinct platforms StarPay for business payments and tax integration, and CBE Connect for international remittances CBE is positioning itself as a key player in Ethiopia’s transition to a digitally enabled economy.
Industry analysts also note that the rapid rollout of these digital services coincides with the recent introduction of the Fayda National Digital ID, which became mandatory for banking services earlier this month. This signals deeper integration between financial services and national digital infrastructure.
