Safaricom Ethiopia to achieve full coverage in eastern Ethiopia by October, marking a major milestone in telecom expansion and digital inclusion.
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, the Ethiopian subsidiary of Kenya’s Safaricom PLC, is set to achieve full network coverage in eastern Ethiopia by the end of October 2025. This marks a major milestone for the telco giant, which entered the Ethiopian market just two years ago as part of a landmark telecom liberalization program.
“We are proud to announce that by the end of this month, we will be offering complete coverage across eastern Ethiopia,”
said Anwar Soussa, CEO of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, at a press briefing in Addis Ababa.
“This is a significant achievement and another step in our journey to bring connectivity to all Ethiopians.”
🚀 From Launch to Landmark: Safaricom’s Rapid Rollout
Safaricom Ethiopia was awarded a 15-year license in May 2021 after paying $850 million, making it the first private telecom operator in a market long dominated by state-owned Ethio Telecom.
After officially launching in October 2022, Safaricom began operations with just 1 million customers. Since then, it has grown its subscriber base to over 4.6 million and expanded rapidly across Ethiopia’s underserved regions.
“Our commitment from day one has been to extend coverage to every corner of this beautiful country,” Soussa said.
“This investment is not just in infrastructure, but in the people of Ethiopia.”
🌍 Economic and Social Impact
The expansion into eastern Ethiopia, a region home to more than 25 million people, is expected to bring transformative change. Improved telecom access enables:
- Growth in mobile banking and fintech
- Increased access to e-commerce and digital platforms
- Enhanced connectivity for agriculture and education
Safaricom has already invested over $1 billion in network infrastructure, including 4G and 5G deployments, which will significantly boost internet penetration and data speeds.
🔗 Related: M-PESA Global Expansion into Ethiopia
🏗️ Nationwide Coverage Goals and Government Alignment
This achievement supports Ethiopia’s digital transformation agenda, which includes further liberalizing the telecom sector. The government plans to sell a 40% stake in Ethio Telecom, encouraging more competition and private investment.
By the end of 2024, Safaricom targets:
- 5,000+ network towers
- 75% national population coverage
- Launch of mobile financial services, pending approval from the National Bank of Ethiopia
“Connectivity is key to unlocking new opportunities for businesses and individuals,”
Soussa emphasized. “We are proud to contribute to Ethiopia’s digital transformation.”
🔗 Explore: Fintech in Africa: M-PESA’s Role in Financial Inclusion
⛰️ Challenges Ahead
While expansion has been rapid, hurdles remain:
- Challenging terrain in remote regions
- Security issues in some border zones
- Pending mobile money licenses for cross-border financial services
Despite this, Safaricom says it remains focused on long-term success in Ethiopia.
“Our 15-year license is more than just an entry into a new market—it’s a commitment to Ethiopia’s future,”
Soussa concluded. “We are here for the long haul.”
✅ Conclusion
Safaricom Ethiopia’s imminent full coverage of eastern Ethiopia marks a pivotal moment in the country’s digital journey. The telco’s aggressive infrastructure rollout, strong backing from the Ethiopian government, and long-term investment strategy position it as a catalyst for digital inclusion and economic transformation.
As Kenya’s telecom leader solidifies its presence in the Horn of Africa, regional observers will be closely watching how this private-sector model helps reshape Ethiopia’s telecom landscape.
📌 Keywords:
Safaricom Ethiopia expansion | Full coverage eastern Ethiopia | Ethiopian telecom market | Safaricom 2024 milestone | Telecom industry growth Ethiopia
