Ethiopian Airlines has announced a strategic partnership with Chapa Financial Technologies, a leading Ethiopian fintech company, to enable customers to make payments in local currency using their ATM cards. This marks a historic first for the national carrier, allowing passengers to complete purchases directly through Ethiopia’s banking network without relying on international cards or complicated processes.
The integration builds upon an existing collaboration between the two organizations, which previously supported digital wallet payments. With this new capability, Ethiopian Airlines customers can now purchase tickets and other services seamlessly using their local debit cards. The move not only enhances convenience but also promotes inclusivity by ensuring that more Ethiopians can access digital travel services with ease.
According to Halimelekot Mamo, Vice President of Digital Sales and Global Contact and Interaction Center (GCIC) at Ethiopian Airlines, the new payment integration reflects the airline’s continued commitment to innovation in both air mobility and digital transformation. He noted that the initiative will offer customers improved speed, ease, and confidence during transactions, while direct bank connectivity and real-time monitoring will further strengthen the airline’s digital infrastructure. He also revealed that the airline is exploring additional collaborations with local tech innovators to expand digital access across Ethiopia.
This development comes as Ethiopian Airlines continues to demonstrate exceptional growth and leadership within Africa’s aviation sector. The airline recently reported record-breaking revenue of $7.6 billion and transported 19.1 million passengers in the 2024/25 fiscal year. Currently serving 144 destinations globally, the carrier is also building a new international airport in Bishoftu, Oromia Regional State, as part of its ambitious expansion strategy.
For Chapa, the partnership marks a major milestone in its mission to simplify payments across industries. Co-founder and CEO Nael Hailemariam described the integration as the realization of a long-standing goal to enable ATM card-based transactions—a complex process that required unifying multiple bank networks. He noted that this collaboration represents not only technological progress but also a personal full-circle moment, as he was once a beneficiary of an Ethiopian Airlines scholarship. The partnership symbolizes the growing synergy between Ethiopia’s aviation and fintech sectors, paving the way for greater financial inclusion and digital advancement.
