Safaricom is currently preparing for the launch of its commercial operations in Ethiopia. The launch was supposed to happen this month but the telecom operator still has some details to work out.
In Ethiopia, mobile network operator Safaricom announces an agreement in principle with incumbent operator Ethio Telecom to share its telecom infrastructure. Under the terms of the agreement, Safaricom Ethiopia will rely on Ethio Telecom’s infrastructure to offer its services to users. The agreement is the result of negotiations launched in February 2022, under the supervision of the Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency (ECA). It is part of Safaricom Ethiopia’s actions in preparation for its commercial launch initially planned for April 2022. Safaricom Ethiopia, which obtained its telecom license in May 2021, chose to share the infrastructures of already established operators because of its tight launch schedule.
The agreement in principle is announced barely a month after the telecom operator signed an infrastructure-sharing agreement with state-owned Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) to deploy its aerial fiber. Ten days earlier, Safaricom signed a similar agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) to use the latter's dark fiber for five years to provide broadband internet to its users.
With the various infrastructure-sharing agreements being signed, Safaricom will save investment costs and time to quickly launch its operations.
“The deal is very important and critical for our commercial viability and launch. Hopefully (we will launch) soon but we don’t have a date yet,” Safaricom Group chairman Michael Joseph told Business Daily, commenting on the agreement. The financial terms of that deal have not been publicly disclosed and the deal is yet to be finalized. However, local media report that the payment currencies will be the U.S. dollar and Ethiopian birr.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
(EBID) - EBID aims to allocate nearly 41% of its commitments to projects with environmental and...
Mahindra & Mahindra is considering a CKD assembly plant near Durban to strengthen its presence i...
Mobile phones have become essential tools for work, education, payments and staying connected across...
BOAD exits BOA Bénin and Niger, sells stakes to Sonimex BOA Bénin posts growth; BOA Niger see...
MTN Ghana launches crackdown on mobile money agent fraud Audits trigger warnings, suspensions...
Enko Capital acquires Servair’s fast-food unit in Côte d’Ivoire, including the Burger King franchise. Transaction may alter Servair Abidjan revenue...
Nigeria increases local solar panel manufacturing capacity from 120 MW to 300 MW. Authorities target import substitution and rural electrification...
Daystar Power signs deal with Olam Agri Ghana to build a 1.9 MWp rooftop solar plant. Project targets reduced reliance on grid power and diesel...
BRVM lists first securitized bonds to fund Côte d’Ivoire electrification 60 billion CFA issuance supports “Electricity for All” program...
CANAL+'s film arm backs a ZAR 300-million feature rooted in South Africa's anti-apartheid music movement. Production kicks off June 29 in Cape Town,...
Burkina Faso launches “SORA” university series filming in Ouagadougou 25-episode project explores student life challenges and...