State-owned Telecom Partners with Samsung

Mar 18 , 2023


Ethio telecom, the state-owned telecommunications provider, has teamed up with Samsung Electronics Company to launch an initiative aimed at boosting smartphone usage among its customers. This comes amid widespread internet restrictions that have left millions of Ethiopians without access to popular social media platforms such as Telegram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. Ethiopia trails Ghana in providing the cheapest internet packages in Africa and has 15.3 Mbps download speed which is 61pc higher than the 9.5 Mbps sub-Saharan Africa average. Seid Aragaw, chief marketing officer at the telecom, expressed his hope during a recent ceremony held at the Ethiotelecom Premium Center on Churchill Street, that the initiative would help to increase the number of smartphone users, which currently stands at 46pc. The company offers its customers three new models from Samsung's flagship S series - the S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra, priced at 95,000 Br, 105,000 Br, and 140,000 Br, respectively. Charles Kimari, the Internet & Mobile Experience Director for Samsung Electronics East Africa, noted that smartphones are intended to cater to customers with varying budgets and lifestyles. According to him, the S23 series is designed to provide better features and functionality to customers who are increasingly reliant on smartphones.


Radar

With New Tariffs, Trump Upends Decades-Old Ethiopia Trade Preferences

The Trump Administration has unexpectedly included Ethiopia in the list of countries subjected to new trade measures, imposing a 10pc levy on Ethiopian imports into the United States while granting a reciprocal 10pc tariff on American goods headed to Ethiopia. The move marks an unanticipated shift in Washington's approach to Addis Abeba, which for years benefited from duty-free access under the African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA). The tariff-free provisions had propelled apparel expor...


Radar

Unilever Ethiopia Eyes Triple Sales Under New Executive

Unilever Ethiopia plans to triple its annual sales within the next five years, aiming to reach 200 million euros. The growth push is led by 42-year-old Nesibu Temesgen, who took the top job this month, as the first Ethiopian national to claim the top executive position in the company. Unilever, a multinational company operating in more than 190 countries, established its Ethiopian presence in 2014. From its base in the Eastern Industrial Zone near the town of Modjo, the firm produces recognis...


Radar

EU Grants Ethiopia a 240 Euro to Support Key Sectors

Financial Assistance Targeted at Agribusiness, Digital Expansion, and Democratic Institutions The European Union (EU) has agreed to provide Ethiopia with a grant of €240 million to support development initiatives across key sectors. This financial assistance will primarily bolster projects in agribusiness, enhance digital competencies, and strengthen democratic institutions. Furthermore, the agreement will support public administration and facilitate efforts to promote stability and reco...