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Safaricom is set to launch commercial operations in Ethiopia within the year as part of the company’s regional expansion efforts to provide world-class telecommunication services to over 112 million Ethiopians.
This was revealed as the telco announced its 2021 financial results where it recorded a profit after tax of Ksh 67.5 billion.
In readiness for the commercial launch, Safaricom Ethiopia has recruited a team of over 300 staff, of which 50% is local talent, with plans of reaching 1,000 in the next financial year. The business also has onboarded distributors, secured four retail shop locations and set up the first outsourced call centre in Addis Ababa.
Safaricom Ethiopia has secured approvals for tower development, built two data centres, made the first test call, sent out the first test SMS and completed the first data session.
“We have made significant progress towards a commercial launch. We are engaging with the Ethiopian Communications Authority and other relevant partners about the requirements for ensuring a commercial launch this year,” Mr Ndegwa said during the announcement of the Full Year 2021/2022 results.
On Tuesday, the state-owned Ethio Telecom which is the current biggest player in the market of 112 million people announced the rollout of their 5G network in the capital Addis Ababa in what analysts interpret as a move to stay ahead of looming competition from the Safaricom-led consortium.
