Safaricom Ethiopia switches on its network and services in Addis Ababa

Safaricom Ethiopia has switched on its mobile telecommunications network and service with a high-profile national launch ceremony in Addis Ababa, the country's capital city.

Among the dignitaries present at the launch were the newly sworn-in president of Kenya, William Ruto, and the prime minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed.

As part of the government of Ethiopia's Digital Ethiopia 2025 agenda to help the country realize its digital potential and leverage technology to build a more prosperous society, Safaricom Ethiopia was granted a nationwide full-service Unified Telecommunication Service Licence and is the first company in the country to launch a competitive mobile service to Ethio Telecom, which is state-owned.

Speaking at the national launch ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer for Vodacom Group, Shameel Joosub, revealed that the Global Partnership for Ethiopia consortium had worked tirelessly with the government of Ethiopia to reach such an exciting moment in Ethiopia's history as the country embarks upon a fully digitalized era. "I would like to congratulate Safaricom Ethiopia and all management, staff, and partners involved in reaching this milestone as we seek to connect every Ethiopian to the global digital economy," he said.

"Ubiquitous network connectivity will positively transform the lives of Ethiopians throughout the country, notably by making various Tech for Good solutions and services available in health, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and digital finance," he added.

Vodafone Group's Chief Executive Officer, Nick Read, remarked, "We are excited to be part of this highly experienced international consortium, with a strong vision to advance Ethiopia's inclusive digital society, with clear goals to deliver the greater prospect for education, jobs, and prosperity."

Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom, Peter Ndegwa, said for two decades, Safaricom has combined the power of technology and our innovative spirit to solve customer and societal challenges. According to him, led by the consortium Purpose to Transform Lives, they have deepened digital and financial inclusion in Kenya by connecting people to people, people to opportunities, and people to information.

"With these lessons and experiences, we look forward to prosperity impacting the people of Ethiopia with a sustainable and quality mobile network that will be a vital launch pad for nationwide digital telecommunications service to over 118 million Ethiopians," he stated.

The Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer for Sumitomo Corporation, Toshikazu Nambu, posited, "We are pleased to have reached the significant milestone of the official launch of Safaricom Ethiopia's national mobile network. Sumitomo Corporation will contribute to Ethiopia's national development through this project by providing its expertise in the telecommunications business and digital transformation know-how cultivated in Japan and other Asian countries. With the expansion of mobile phone use and the economic and human resource development, we will transform lives for a digital future, in line with the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy."

Nick O'Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of BII, also noted, "The launch of Safaricom Ethiopia will deliver development impact at a country-wide level. It will transform the economic prospect for millions of Ethiopians and go a long way to alleviating data poverty in the country."

Following the switch on its network, Safaricom Ethiopia's 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile services are now available in 11 cities, including the capital and the country's second-largest city, Dire Dawa. The company plans to launch services in 25 cities by April 2023 to meet its license's 25 percent population coverage obligation.

Safaricom Ethiopia is building a wholly-owned mobile network with infrastructure sharing and interconnection agreements with Ethio Telecom.

Through its 34.9 percent stake in Safaricom and its 6.2 percent direct stake in Safaricom Ethiopia, Vodacom Group holds a compelling 25.7 percent interest in the Safaricom business.

An international consortium including Vodacom Group, owns Safaricom Ethiopia; Vodafone Group; Safaricom; Sumitomo Corporation, one of the largest international trading and business investment companies; and British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution and impact investor. This is the first investment project to be realized under the strategic alliance agreed upon by Vodafone and Sumitomo in November 2020. 

By: Kanto Okanta