October 07, 2022 (GMN) - Kenya's Safaricom launched its mobile network in Ethiopia on October 06, 2022, becoming the first private operator in one of Africa's largest telecom markets.
State-owned Ethio Telecom has until now enjoyed a monopoly in Ethiopia, Africa's second-most populous country with an estimated 118 million people.
Safaricom Ethiopia switched on its network and services in the capital Addis Ababa following network pilots in 10 cities, it said in a statement.
Hours later Ethiopia's finance minister, Ahmed Shide, said his government had granted the company a license to operate a mobile money service.
The “07” network in Addis Ababa is offering customers 4G data, voice, and SMS services between Safaricom Ethiopia and Ethio Telecom customers, international calls worldwide, and affordable phones for purchase.
Customers will be able to purchase SIM cards, choose their preferred numbers, buy airtime, and access dedicated customer support at the branded shops in the city at Garad Mall, Meskel Flower, Jemo, Bole (in front of Selam City Mall, and CMC (beside Gast Mall) and all branded souks. Customers are able to contact the call center by dialing 700 and get services in 5 languages (Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Af-Somali, Tigrigna, and English).
The network is currently available in Dire Dawa, Harar, Haramaya, Adama, Bahir Dar, Bishoftu, Mojo, Debre Birhan, Awoday, Gonder, and Addis Abeba and the national network rollout will continue to reach 14 additional cities by April 2023.
Safaricom Ethiopia CEO Anwar Soussa said the mobile money service would take two to three months to roll out.
Safaricom leads a consortium entering the market including South Africa’s Vodacom and Britain’s Vodafone.
Its network was supposed to launch in April but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic and logistical challenges.
Safaricom Ethiopia said it plans a national network rollout to reach 14 additional cities by April 2023.
"We are optimistic about how the technology and connectivity we provide will contribute to a digital future and eventually transform people's lives," said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.
Kenyan President William Ruto, who attended the launch, said the mobile money license had not been agreed upon when he departed from Nairobi, Kenya's capital, said he "had a mission to come back with a deal."
Safaricom launched the world's first-ever mobile phone-based money transfer service 15 years ago, and the business, known as M-Pesa, has evolved to account for roughly half of the company's annual revenue. Source: GSN’s Agencies.
