Foundations · What Are Ethiopian T-Bills?

What are Ethiopian Treasury Bills?

What Treasury Bills are, how returns are generated, why they matter in Ethiopia, and how they fit as an entry-point investment.

4 min readBeginner guideMoney market basics

Treasury Bills are short-term government securities issued by the Government of Ethiopia through the National Bank of Ethiopia.

When you invest in a T-Bill, you pay a lower amount upfront and receive the full face value when it matures. The difference between what you pay and what you receive is your return. Governments commonly use T-Bills to raise short-term funding.

Introduction

What is a Treasury Bill?


A Treasury Bill is a short-term government security, not a long-term investment bond. Unlike savings products that pay interest periodically, T-Bills work differently: you buy them at a discounted price and receive the full value at maturity.

Minimum Investment
ETB 5,000
Standard denomination, accessible for investors.
Tax on Returns
Fully exempt
Earnings are not subject to income-tax deductions.
Tenor Types
4 options
Different maturities to match your horizon.
Auction Schedule
Every 2 weeks
Held on Wednesdays by the National Bank.
How It Works

How your return is generated


There are no interest payments along the way. Instead, you buy below face value and collect the full amount at maturity. The gap between the two is your return.

Example: ETB 100,000 face value
You pay todayETB 96,000
Discounted price
You receive at maturityETB 100,000
Full face value
Your return = face value − price paid+ ETB 4,000
Key Idea
You invest less today and receive the full amount at maturity.

If a T-Bill has a face value of ETB 100,000, you pay less than that today and receive ETB 100,000 when it matures.

Ethiopia Context

Why this matters in Ethiopia


As Ethiopia’s government securities market continues to develop, understanding Treasury Bills helps investors make more informed decisions. T-Bills are often the starting point for learning how Ethiopia’s money market works, and once you understand them, you can:

Understand auction announcements as they’re published.
Compare different T-Bill tenors side by side.
Read market analysis with confidence.
Use tools like simulations and calculators more effectively.
Check your understanding

Take a quick quiz on what you just read.