Ethio telecom Dominates Industry with Expanding Profits, Coverage

Jul 13 , 2024


[ssba-buttons]

The state-owned teleco company netted 21.7 billion Br in the financial year, posting a 21.7pc jump in revenues to 93.7 billion Br from last financial year. While it has not enjoyed a monopoly since the entrance of Safaricom Ethiopia three years ago, its annual revenues have taken a leap with the competition. The centenarian operator increased its customer base by 8.9pc to reach 78.3 million, with an 85.4pc geographical coverage. Its nearly three-year-old mobile money service, Telebirr, is used by 47.5 million users, and transactions valued at 2.55 trillion Br have occurred to date. A formidable 73pc of the transactions occurred during the ended fiscal year, reflecting the service's accelerated growth. CEO Frehiwot Tamiru attributed foreign currency shortages to complete projects, theft, vandalism of equipment, and conflict in some parts of the country for problems Ethio telecom during the year. The CEO disclosed that a deal with an international financier for a foreign currency loan will relieve some pressure on the company in the coming year. She had declined to disclose the company's identity. “We're awaiting approval from the government,” Frehiwot told Fortune. Ethio-telecom, slated to issue a 10pc ownership stake to the public in the soon-to-be-launched capital markets, earned around 198 million dollars in the year from its international services, while delayed access to land impeded its growth in certain regional states. A part of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Ethiopian Investment Holding, the state telecom operator, paid off 9.97 billion Br in dividends and around 21.79 billion Br in taxes.


Radar

EthSwitch Sees Record Profit, Expands Digital Payment Reach

EthSwitch, the national switch operator, reported a record 1.4 billion Br gross profit for the fiscal year ending June 2025, a 34pc increase from last year's 1.06 billion Br. The performance was driven by a sharp rise in interoperable transactions, reflecting the country's growing embrace of digital payments. Person-to-person (P2P) transfers led revenue generation with 902.6 million Br, nearly half of total income, followed by ATM transactions contributing 825.1 million Br. Overall revenue cl...


Radar

Lion Bank Delivers Robust Results, Rewarding Shareholders

Lion International Bank S.C. posted a profit before tax of 1.8 billion Br for the last fiscal year, marking a 94pc surge from the previous year. The announcement was made during the bank's General Assembly held last week at the Sheraton Addis Hotel. After provisions and taxes, the bank registered a net profit exceeding 900 million Br, with shareholders earning 27pc per share. Deposits climbed by 23pc to 44 billion Br, up from 35.6 billion Br, while total loans and advances reached 36.2 billio...


Radar

Berhan Bank Lifts Earnings as Reforms Ease Forex Strain

Berhan Bank reported a 28.1pc growth in its latest fiscal year, buoyed by economic reforms and relaxed forex directives. The Bank's total deposits climbed to 44.5 billion Br by June 30, 2025, up 7.6 billion Br from the previous year. Net profit distributed to shareholders rose by 36pc, while total income reached 10.3 billion Br, marking a 61.4pc increase. Interest income accounted for nearly 59pc of total earnings, driven largely by the repeal of the National Bank's 70pc forex surrender rule...