Radar | Nov 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 | Nov 16,2024
Fortune News | Jul 07,2024
Fortune News | Apr 10,2026
Fortune News | Aug 01,2020
Obituary | Mar 02,2024
In-Picture | Jul 08,2024
Radar | May 27,2023
News Analysis | Mar 07,2026
Advertorials | May 30,2025
Fortune News | Mar 28,2026
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Jun 27 , 2026
The federal legislative house rushed through one of the country's most contentious ho...
When Parliament takes up the appropriation bill, federal legislators will receive a d...
Jun 13 , 2026
The recent policy decision to fully open freight forwarding to foreign capital may be...
Jun 6 , 2026
For a political veteran as controversial as Getachew Reda, last week's national elect...
Loading your updates...