Executive Management

Mr. Sisay Ayele Habtewold is a seasoned Information Technology professional with over 16 years of progressive experience in the banking and financial technology sector. He currently serves as the Acting Chief Information Technology Officer (Acting CITO) at Global Bank Ethiopia S.C., where he provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Bank’s entire IT infrastructure, systems, applications, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives. Mr. Sisay joined Global Bank Ethiopia S.C. in March 2019 as the Director of the Information Technology Department. In this capacity, he led the modernization and expansion of the Bank’s IT infrastructure, introduced several automation initiatives, and strengthened the Bank’s operational resilience through technology-driven improvements. His leadership played a pivotal role in transforming the Bank’s IT division into a more agile, secure, and innovation-driven department aligned with the institution’s growth strategy. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed to major projects such as core banking system upgrades, digital channel expansions (including mobile and internet banking), cybersecurity enhancements, data center modernization, and disaster recovery implementations. His hands-on experience spans across IT governance, project management, IT service management, network and systems administration, and information security compliance. Before joining Global Bank, Mr. Sisay held several key leadership and technical positions at Zemen Bank S.C., where he served as Senior Manager of IT Infrastructure and previously as Senior Infrastructure Expert. During his time at Zemen Bank, he led the implementation of robust IT infrastructure systems, supported the Bank’s digital channel deployments, and established foundational IT policies and frameworks that enhanced operational efficiency and reliability. Mr. Sisay’s academic background reflects both technical depth and managerial breadth. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science, a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), in addition to a Diploma in Information Technology. This multidisciplinary education has allowed him to bridge the gap between technology and business strategy effectively. Complementing his academic achievements, Mr. Sisay holds several internationally recognized professional certifications, including: • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) • VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCP) • IT Infrastructure Library – Foundation Level 3 (ITIL-F3) • COBIT 5 (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies) These certifications underscore his expertise in networking, virtualization, IT service management, and governance frameworks, which he has applied to design and manage complex IT environments within the banking sector. Mr. Sisay is recognized for his strategic foresight, strong leadership, and commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. He has successfully led cross-functional teams, managed vendor relationships, and ensured regulatory compliance with National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) directives and international standards. His leadership continues to drive Global Bank Ethiopia’s vision of becoming a digitally enabled, customer-centric financial institution capable of competing in a rapidly evolving digital economy.