Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC (Safaricom Ethiopia) is on course to a phased launch of its network and services in Ethiopia and is conducting rigorous tests to ensure the provision of quality services.
The phased commercial launch will commence from August 2022, switching on the network in 25 cities across the country when ready by April 2023, starting with Dire Dawa.
Since the granting of the license in July 2021, we have:
- Invested in our network and building infrastructure, including our own mobile radio towers፣ national transmission network, and wholesale agreements for international connectivity;
- Invested USD 1 billion (including the Telecoms License fee);
- Imported equipment worth over USD 300 million;
- Developed our core network, IT, products, and services;
- Set up a call center;
- Built 2 Data Centers; and
- Recently signed Infrastructure sharing and interconnect agreements with Ethio Telecom, with implementation progressing well.
In addition to the infrastructure, we have:
- Appointed a management team and experts for commercial launch, providing professional and skills development to our Ethiopian employees of the company;
- Recruited 500 staff, of which 320 are Ethiopians, continuing with a focus on recruitment throughout the country;
- Onboarded 50 graduate trainees to create a talent pool of digital innovators and working in collaboration with regional universities to recruit 100 additional graduates this year;
- Onboarded 29 distributors across the regions, empowering more enterprises through win-win partnerships in business;
- Advanced our commercial launch plan for retail stores and undertaken Supply Chain tenders for Ethiopian companies to partner with us; and
- Continued developing our “Social Contract” and Foundation plans in line with our vision of transforming lives through digital.
“Safaricom Ethiopia is looking forward to switching on our network and services, starting with Dire Dawa from August 2022 and 24 other cities in phases across the country in the coming months. Currently, we are in a testing period to ensure that when we switch on, we will deliver a quality experience for Ethiopians. We are working to fulfil our commitment to building the long-term foundations for our contribution to Ethiopia’s digital transformation and inclusion objectives to transform lives for a digital future,” said Matthew Harrison-Harvey, Chief External Affairs and Regulatory Officer.
Safaricom Ethiopia thanks Ethiopian citizens, the Government, the Ethiopian Communications Authority, and all stakeholders for the continued support as we prepare for commercial launch.