Abstract: | This article outlines the monetary and banking experiences of Eritrea from its establishment as an Italian colony in 1890 until 1935, focusing, amongst others, on the vicissitudes of the colonial monetary system, initially based on the 'tallero eritreo' (Eritrean thaler); the setting up of a branch office of the Banca d'Italia in Asmara in 1914, followed by four sub-offices; the Bank of Italy's role in the promotion of paper money circulation; the creation of local financial institutions, such as the Banca Cooperativa Popolare Eritrea and the Banca per l'Africa Orientale; the crisis years; and agricultural credit. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. |