Ethiopian Business Review

INSA Reports 362 Billion Birr in Digital Tax Transfers as "Derash" Platform Reaches 27 Banks #EBR_News Jun 18, 2026 Ethiopia's Ministry of Revenue, the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), Siinqee Bank, and Goh Betoch Bank signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, bringing two more lenders into the country's electronic tax collection network and expanding the total number of banks connected to the indigenously built "Derash" payment platform to 27. According to INSA Director General Tigist Hamid, who spoke at the signing ceremony, the Derash platform processed seven million payment transactions in just 11 months of the current 2018 Ethiopian Calendar fiscal year, facilitating financial transfers of over 362 billion birr. Tigist said 25 banks had previously been connected to the platform, and that Wednesday's addition of Siinqee Bank and Goh Betoch Bank brings that figure to 27. The platform, whose name translates roughly as "one who arrives in times of need," was developed entirely through domestic capacity and is described by INSA as a fully integrated bill aggregation system capable of reaching users in rural areas where digital financial access remains limited. Revenue Minister Aynalem Nigussie, speaking at the ceremony, said the integration of the two banks into the Derash system is part of coordinated efforts across multiple stakeholders to make Ethiopia's tax collection infrastructure more transparent, efficient, and modern. She said the technology-based system would allow taxpayers to fulfil their obligations without the time and logistical burden of physical visits to revenue offices, adding that this would strengthen trust between taxpayers and the collecting institution. According to both the Ministry of Revenue and INSA's accounts of the event translated from Amharic social media posts by their respective official pages Aynalem framed the signing as a continuation of reform momentum rather than a standalone initiative, saying the parties would work together on tasks that strengthen past efforts. For the two banks now entering the system, the commercial logic is straightforward. Siinqee Bank President Neway Megersa said the integration would not only support national revenue collection but would also broaden his bank's customer reach by enabling technology-supported, hassle-free services. Goh Betoch Bank Chief Executive Girum Tsegaye made a similar point, noting that the platform would allow both the bank and its customers to pay and collect taxes from wherever they are, eliminating the need to travel to physical offices a practical gain that carries particular significance for a bank whose customer base includes segments with limited mobility. The expansion of Derash sits within the framework of Ethiopia's Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, which identifies the accessibility of digital finance and the utilisation of indigenous technological solutions as national priorities. Whether the platform delivers on that ambition will depend on execution. Ethiopia's tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa, and digitising the payment channel is only one part of a more complex challenge that includes broadening the taxpayer base, improving compliance, and reducing leakage. Follow EBR for the latest business news, trends, and expert analysis: Telegram (https://t.me/ebr_news) Facebook (https://bit.ly/3OodjMF) LinkedIn (https://lnkd.in/eAVk65Xv) WhatsApp (https://bit.ly/4tH4NIR)