MTN Opts Out of Second Telecom Bid

Aug 14 , 2021


[ssba-buttons]

The MTN Group will not be participating in the second telecom license bid, its executives announced. It was one of the two bidders that were vying to get the first-ever private telecom license earlier this year. MTN was rejected after offering 650 million dollars, much lower than the 850 million dollar bid from the Safaricom-led consortium. Following the award of one of the two licenses to the consortium, the Ethiopian Communications Authority re-floated the bid this month after adjusting policy restrictions, such as the provision of mobile financial services. The ban that prevented foreign operators to involve in mobile banking services will be lifted, according to officials. The government of Ethiopia is also in progress to sell off a 40pc stake in the state-owned Ethio Telecom. It already called for an expression of interest a month ago, though it is yet to announce the number of interested bidders.


Radar

Somali Region Advances Budget Independence as Revenues Rise

Somali Regional State is moving closer to fiscal independence, with nearly half its budget now funded locally. Officials point to rising agricultural output and stronger tax enforcement as key drivers behind growing revenues. The region plans to cover 32.5 billion Br from its own resources in the upcoming fiscal year. Communication Head Mohammed Abdi credited last year's tax collection of 18 billion Br, exceeding the 17 billion Br target, to agriculture, khat, and other taxable goods. The reg...


Radar

Environmental Protection Authority Shuts Down Polluters

Addis Abeba's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has taken enforcement action against 3,249 manufacturers and service providers found violating environmental standards in the 2024/25 fiscal year. The violations, ranging from air and noise pollution to improper waste disposal, were identified during inspections of 14,872 businesses citywide. Penalties included warnings and closures, with shutdown orders issued to six plastic factories, 23 block factories, a soft paper plant, 102 nightclu...


Radar

Ministry Mandates Full Electronic Clearance for Top Taxpayers

Taxpayers under the Ministry of Revenues' Medium No. 1 branch will have to ditch paper filings and switch entirely to the e-Clearance system for non-audited services starting August 1, 2025. The mandate, routed through the Ministry's e-filing portal, is pitched as part of a broader push to modernise tax administration and advance the government's digital agenda. Officials say the platform lets users process clearance requests remotely via the Fayda national ID, cutting out manual paperwork. A...