Overview of Ethio Telecom
Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's state-owned telecom operator, which had a long-term monopoly on the country's telecom market until Safaricom Ethiopia entered in 2022. As of June 2024 (end of FY 2023/24), Ethio Telecom had 78.3 million users, a year-on-year increase of 8.9%; its digital financial service Telebirr had 47.5 million users. Both revenue and net profit grew over 20% year-on-year in FY2024. The target for FY2024/25 is 83 million users, 55 million Telebirr users, and revenue of 163.7 billion birr (a 74.7% year-on-year increase). Plans include building 1,298 new base stations, expanding 4G to 500 cities, 5G to 15 cities, and 496 rural sites covering 1,000 kebeles.
Ethio Telecom provides Ethiopian businesses with mobile IoT connectivity, Telebirr payment integration, and digital solutions.
Basic information about Ethio Telecom
- Establishment Date: 1952 (Predecessor of Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation)
- Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Nature: Wholly state-owned
- Users as of June 2024: 78.3 million (year-on-year increase of 8.9%)
- Telebirr Users: 47.5 million
- 2024/25 Targets: 83 million users, 55 million Telebirr accounts
- Revenue Target: 163.7 billion birr (year-on-year increase of 74.7%)
- Network: 4G expanded to 500 cities, 5G expanded to 15 cities
Development History and Milestones
Ethiopian Telecommunications Company was established in 1952, maintaining a long-term monopoly over fixed-line and mobile markets. In the 2010s, it promoted 3G/4G development. In 2021, Telebirr mobile payment was launched. In 2022, Safaricom Ethiopia obtained a license to enter the market, breaking the monopoly. Ethio Telecom accelerated network investment and digitalization, with continuous growth in users and Telebirr. In 2024, a large-scale network expansion plan was launched, aiming for 83 million users and multi-city 5G commercial deployment.
Core Technical Capabilities
Market dominance
78.3 million users, the largest operator in Ethiopia
Telebirr
47.5 million users, state-owned mobile payment platform
Network expansion
1,298 new sites, 4G in 500 cities, 5G in 15 cities, rural coverage
Revenue growth
FY2024 revenue and profit increased more than 20% year-on-year
IoT Applications
Ethio Telecom provides mobile IoT connectivity, dedicated APN, and Telebirr integration. 4G covers major cities, and 5G is expanding in cities like Addis Ababa. Smart agriculture, smart metering, and government digitalization projects are progressing in Ethiopia. Rural coverage expansion will support agricultural IoT and inclusive connectivity.
Competitive Advantages
- Market leadership: User and network advantages accumulated through long-term monopoly
- Telebirr: State-owned mobile payment service with 47.5 million users
- Network investment: Large-scale expansion plans for 4G/5G and rural coverage
- Population: Ethiopia has more than 120 million people, with large market potential