Safaricom PLC has held its second Investor Day in Addis Ababa, providing
an opportunity for the investment community to gain insights into the company's
achievements and future plans as well as see the progress so far in Ethiopia
rollout.
The investor day, themed " Scaling
Operations for Ethiopia’s Digital Future," brought together 150 attendees
comprised of analysts, regulators, Government representatives, Safaricom PLC
Kenya and Ethiopia board members and senior management.
Speaking at the event, Adil Khawaja, Board Chairman of Safaricom PLC,
reiterated the company's long-term commitment to Ethiopia, stating “Ethiopia
represents a key growth market for Safaricom PLC. As we continue our journey of
growth and transformation, I am confident that we will remain at the forefront
of driving digital innovation and delivering exceptional value to our
customers, shareholders, and the communities we serve.”
Safaricom Group CEO Peter Ndegwa said, "We are proud of the success that Safaricom Ethiopia has achieved
in a relatively short span of time. Our focus on scaling operations for
Ethiopia's digital future has been instrumental in driving our growth, and we
remain committed to leveraging our expertise and resources to continue
establishing ourselves as a key player in the Ethiopian telecommunications
landscape.”
As of 31st December 2023,
Safaricom Ethiopia had over 2,200 base stations covering 33 cities, including
large and medium towns, representing over 30% population coverage.
Additionally, M-PESA already has over 3 million customers and is growing rapidly.
Michael Joseph, Chairman of the Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia
Ethiopia Board, shared his sentiments on opportunities for the company’s growth
in Ethiopia, saying: “I am excited about
the vast opportunities that lie ahead for our company's growth in Ethiopia.
Leveraging innovation and our commitment to delivering high-quality services,
including reliable internet connectivity, we are poised to empower individuals,
businesses, and communities across Ethiopia.”
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC CEO, Wim Vanhelleputte, noted
that the company has witnessed remarkable progress since launching commercial
operations in October 2022. “We will
continue to establish an innovative brand loved by our customers and build a
world-class network that delivers superior customer experience. We also look
forward to the transformation M-PESA will bring to financial inclusion in
Ethiopia,” he said.
The investor day is part of Safaricom group’s efforts to engage with its
business partners and stakeholders on its operations, strategies, and impact.
This year’s edition in Addis Ababa follows a successful one in Nairobi in
February 2023.