- New report highlights positive impact of liberalisation of mobile market in Africa’s second largest country
A new report published today by British International Investment has revealed that a UK-backed mobile network operator has helped millions of Ethiopians to access superfast 4G mobile internet across the country.
Safaricom Ethiopia, which was founded with investment from a consortium that comprised of BII, IFC, Safaricom, Sumitomo Corporation, Vodacom and Vodafone Group, was awarded Ethiopia’s first mobile network licence to be granted to a private company in 2021.
BII and Safaricom Ethiopia commissioned the report, entitled ‘Impact of investment in the Ethiopian telecoms market – the story so far’ – to take stock of how the Ethiopian telecoms market has changed and evolved since the liberalisation process of the sector began in 2019.
Since the launch of Safaricom Ethiopia in 2022, the cost of mobile data services in the country has fallen by up to 70 per cent. As of 30 June 2024, Safaricom Ethiopia had signed up 4.4 million customers. Safaricom has built nearly 3,000 2G, 3G and 4G network towers covering 44 per cent of the population. The telco has doubled the availability of 4G services in the country.
The report, by Analysys Mason, identifies the impact that competition from Safaricom’s entry in Ethiopia has had, and is expected to have, on the telecoms sector, society and the economy.
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