Melika Bedri: Roles, Education, and Professional Achievements

Mrs. Melika Bedri Mohammed is the President and CEO of ZamZam Bank, the first full-fledged interest-free bank in Ethiopia. She brings over 35 years of outstanding leadership and experience in the banking industry, most of which she spent at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE)—the country’s largest financial institution.

Throughout her remarkable career, Mrs. Melika has served in numerous high-level leadership roles including Acting President, Chief Finance Officer, Vice President of Information Systems, Vice President of Marketing & Research, and Executive Assistant to the President at CBE. Her deep expertise spans across core banking operations, treasury management, digital transformation, marketing strategy, and corporate governance.

Mrs. Melika holds an MBA from the Open University of London, a BA in Economics from Addis Ababa University, and a Diploma in Banking & Finance from the Addis Ababa Commercial College. She has also completed executive training from prestigious global institutions such as Crown Agents (UK) and the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, focusing on topics such as leadership, digital banking, corporate strategy, risk management, and procurement for senior executives.

In addition to her executive roles, Mrs. Melika has held several board memberships in prominent organizations including the Ethiopian Reinsurance Company, Commercial Nominees Share Company, and CBE’s international subsidiaries in Djibouti and South Sudan. She has also served as the Board Chair of Commercial Nominees Share Company and was involved in overseeing major public and private sector enterprises.

Her exceptional contribution to finance and leadership has earned her several accolades. Notably, she received Africa’s Most Influential Women – Regional Award in the field of finance (South Africa) and was a top finalist for the AWiB Women of Excellence Award in Ethiopia.

As the CEO of ZamZam Bank, Mrs. Melika is leading the institution with a clear vision—to expand ethical and interest-free banking across Ethiopia. Her leadership continues to inspire a new generation of women and finance professionals, making her one of the most respected figures in Ethiopia’s banking sector.