Authority Extends Bid Deadline, Again

Apr 10 , 2021


[ssba-buttons]

The telecom liberalisation process has run into another stumbling block as the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) announced early last week its decision to extend the bid submission deadline by three weeks. The Authority attributed the decision to push the deadline to April 26, 2021, to requests from potential bidders seeking to buy two telecom operating licenses. When issued, these licenses will end an over-a-century-old state monopoly in the telecommunications sector and open up one of the world’s last remaining telecoms markets under the state's hold. According to a statement it issued last week, the Authority believes the requests were appropriate "in light of the COVID market environment." It is the second extension by the Authority made since February this year, due to similar requests from interested parties. The Authority initiated the bidding process for two full-service telecom licenses last May and announced a call for an expression of interest (EOI). It attracted the attention of 11 companies, including Global Partnership for Ethiopia, a consortium of Vodafone, Vodacom and Safaricom; MTN; Etisalat; Orange; and Saudi Telecom Company. Meanwhile, Ethio telecom, currently the industry's sole operator, is gearing up to launch its own mobile money service after having secured a license to branch out of its core services for the first time in over a century of operation.


Radar

Ethiopia Unveils Consortium to Insure Millions of Farmers

Ethiopia has launched its Agricultural Insurance Consortium (AICE), pledging to protect three million farmers by 2026. Announced on July 3, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, the initiative is backed by Pula Advisors and five major Ethiopian insurers. AICE plans to promote climate resilience through insurance bundled with the government's input voucher system. Leveraging AI platforms like Mavuno and PIE, it plans to standardise products, lower costs, and expand coverage to over 200 woredas. With agricu...


Radar

New Coopbank Partnership Targets Youth Economic Empowerment

The Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coopbank) has signed a strategic agreement with Melka Ethiopia to provide loan services to over 120,000 young men and women nationwide. The partnership plans to promote youth economic empowerment by expanding access to finance and creating jobs, with a strong focus on rural and underserved areas. Both institutions held joint discussions to explore ways to improve youth livelihoods and financial inclusion. By closing access gaps, the partnership is expected to help...


Radar

Ethiopian Netpreneur Program Training Kicks Off

The Ethiopian Netpreneur 2025 Training Program has officially launched its first cohort in Addis Abeba with 64 entrepreneurs beginning their first round of training. Organised by the Global Digital Talent Academy, the initiative plans to empower local business owners, startup founders, and digital sector players with global-level e-commerce skills. At the launch event, Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Mola (PhD) urged participants to leverage the opportunity to build networks and shape...