Emebet Melese (PhD): Roles, Education, and Professional Achievements

Dr. Emebet Melese is a senior Ethiopian banking executive with more than 23 years of experience in the country’s financial sector. She most recently served as President of the Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) from October 2024 until concluding her tenure in December 2025, following a leadership transition at the state-owned development lender. Her time at DBE coincided with a period when the bank played a central role in financing priority national sectors, including industry and agriculture.

Her professional career began with a brief assignment at the Trade and Industry Bureau of Addis Ababa, after which she spent over two decades at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). Joining CBE as a management trainee, Dr. Emebet steadily advanced through senior leadership positions to become Deputy President. She also served as Vice President for Strategy Planning and Transformation, where she led a major World Bank–funded institutional assessment and the development of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan.

In 2023, Dr. Emebet was appointed President of Nib International Bank, further strengthening her profile as one of Ethiopia’s most experienced banking leaders before her subsequent appointment to DBE. Throughout her career, she has been closely associated with institutional reform, developmental finance, and initiatives aimed at supporting inclusive economic growth.

Dr. Emebet Melese holds a PhD in Business Leadership from Addis Ababa University School of Commerce, as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance from the same institution. She is widely recognized for her strategic vision, transformational leadership, and long-standing contribution to the strengthening of Ethiopia’s financial sector.