@AfricaBusiness – Ethiopian Business Review

Safaricom Ethiopia has emerged as a standout player within the Vodacom Group, securing two prestigious awards at the Vodacom Group External Relations 2025 Conference, held from April 7-10 in Fancourt, George, South Africa. The company was recognized for Best Stakeholder Engagement Leadership and Best Youth Empowerment Partner, affirming its growing influence across the continent.

The accolades highlight Safaricom Ethiopia’s strategic leadership and social impact, particularly in its efforts to build trust with key stakeholders and advance youth-focused initiatives. The recognition comes as the company continues to cement its role in Ethiopia’s digital and economic transformation, just over two years since launching operations.

The annual conference brought together Vodacom’s external relations teams from eight markets—Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Egypt, the DRC, and Lesotho—alongside delegates from Vodafone UK, Safaricom Kenya, GSMA, consultants, and leading industry experts. The forum provided an opportunity to share innovative practices, deepen cross-border collaboration, and celebrate exceptional performance.

Yodahe Arayasalassi, Director of the Ethiopian National ID Program, has been recognized by San Francisco-based Okta as one of 25 global leaders in digital identity. The recognition highlights his pivotal role in shaping Ethiopia’s national identification system, which has already registered over 13 million citizens.

Under Arayasalassi’s leadership, the Ethiopian National ID Program is set to reach 70 million citizens by 2025, providing Ethiopians with secure, accessible, and reliable digital identity solutions. This initiative is a crucial part of the country’s efforts to enhance governance, improve service delivery, and promote financial inclusion.

In a statement shared by Okta, the company emphasized how digital identity has become a cornerstone of global security, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. With the rapid digital expansion, the need for secure digital identities has never been more critical. Okta’s recognition of Arayasalassi underscores the transformative role Ethiopia is playing in the global digital identity landscape.

Okta’s annual Identity 25 honors individuals who have made significant contributions to securing and evolving digital identity systems. The initiative aims to highlight the leaders who are shaping the future of identity, protecting personal data, and ensuring digital inclusivity for all.

Safaricom Ethiopia Wins Double Recognition at Vodacom Group External Relations Conference 2025

Ethiopia’s Digital ID Chief Named Among World’s Top 25 Identity Leaders by Okta