Safaricom Ethiopia Rolls Out its Network to Tigray

Jun 15 , 2024

With 125 self-built towers, Safaricom Ethiopia has launched its operations in the Tigray Regional State. Executives disclosed plans to invest in an additional 166 towers and expand their reach to the remaining towns. "This is the most exciting milestone in Tigray since the return of social services," said Getachew Reda, president of the Interim Regional State Administration. In July 2021, the consortium-backed telecom giant entered Ethiopia's market, historically dominated by state-owned Ethio telecom. With a substantial investment of 1.6 billion dollars, Safaricom is shaking things up with an 850 million dollar fee for the operating license, 600 million dollars in network infrastructure, and most recently, a 150 million dollar investment to secure an M-Pesa permit. It has received the first 13 locally produced towers from the pioneering firm Woda Plc set to deliver a total of 68 towers for 50 million Br.