Radar | Jan 16,2024
Telcom users in Ethiopia saw last week a milestone event with the launching of a second operator breaking a monopoly enjoyed by the state-owned Ethio telecom for over a century. Safaricom Ethiopia Plc launched its services with spectacular fanfare, including the display of Addis Abeba's first drone light show at Mesqel Square, declaring: "Further Ahead Together."
"We're excited to have you and all of Ethiopia connected to the 07 network," a tweet on the Safaricom page reads.
The event was graced with the presence of Kenya's newly elected President, William Ruto. He made his first African visit since his election in August, joining Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the launch held on Thursday, October 6. He was ushered to visit the Chinese-built Science Museum inaugurated a week before. Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen (left) accompanied the two heads of state, while Finance Minister Ahmed Shidie gabbed with Firehiwot Tamiru, CEO of Ethio telecom.
Ahmed unexpectedly announced that his government would grant an operation permit for Safaricom Ethiopia to start mobile money services deploying its pioneering platform, M-PESA.
A consortium of South African, UK, and Japanese companies under the stewardship of Kenya's Safaricom Plc, Safaricom Ethiopia has made history by entering the Ethiopian market as the first private telecom operator. Won a highly touted telecom licence two years ago after outbidding its contenders for over 800 million dollars, Safaricom unveiled its first data centre in Addis Abeba last month. Anwar Sousa, Safaricom Ethiopia's CEO, pledged to work to build Ethiopia's digital economy and expand services nationally.
"A vision of transforming lives for a digital future is not a path to be walked alone," said Anwar during the launching event held at Friendship Square. "It requires walking at the same pace as Ethiopia's vision for a prosperous future."
Safaricom Ethiopia began testing its network and services in Dire Dawa, before going into operation in eight towns in the weeks ahead of its national launch.
PUBLISHED ON
Oct 08,2022 [ VOL
23 , NO
1171]
Radar | Jan 16,2024
Fortune News | Aug 13,2022
Commentaries | Sep 10,2023
Agenda | Aug 14,2022
Fortune News | Aug 13,2022
Radar | Jan 28,2023
Commentaries | Jul 17,2022
Commentaries | Apr 28,2024
Radar | Aug 13,2022
Fortune News | Feb 10,2024
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
Apr 27 , 2024
The Prosperity Party (PP) - Prosperitians - is charting a course through treacherous...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 6 , 2024
In a rather unsettling turn of events, the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (C...
Loading your updates...