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Awash Bank has rolled out Mesmer Digital Lending, a new platform offering loan services to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through a digital application. Developed in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation and First Consult, the initiative builds on the MESMER program, which has provided financial support and business training to thousands of SMEs over the past three years. The new digital system allows enterprises to access credit via the Awash Birr Pro app or by dialing *901#. Since the program's inception, over 66,000 SMEs have applied for financing, with more than 13,000 receiving a combined 1.3 billion Br in loans. Women entrepreneurs account for 32pc of beneficiaries. To enhance efficiency, 1,276 loan officers have been deployed to support applicants, strengthening the bank's role in expanding SME financing nationwide.
