@EthioTelecom – Ethiopian Business Review

EBR_News Mar 9, 2026

Ethio telecom has finalized a major network expansion and modernization agreement with ZTE Corporation at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, targeting 647 network sites including 115 rural locations to significantly strengthen nationwide connectivity, according to an announcement from the state-owned operator.

The agreement, concluded during high-level strategic discussions between Ethio telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru and ZTE’s senior management, will enhance network capacity, coverage, and service quality across the ZTE operational circle. Upon completion, the initiative will increase 4G population coverage to 95.5 percent, enabling millions more citizens, communities, and businesses to benefit from reliable high-speed connectivity.

The project will play a pivotal role in accelerating digital inclusion by extending advanced mobile broadband services to rural and underserved areas, aligning with Ethio telecom’s broader commitment to bridging the digital divide. The 115 rural sites specifically target communities that have historically lacked access to reliable telecommunications infrastructure.

Beyond the expansion program, both parties held forward-looking strategic discussions focused on accelerating the realization of Ethio telecom’s transformative corporate strategy, “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028.” This follows similar agreements signed earlier at MWC with Ericsson, reflecting a comprehensive multi-partner approach to network modernization.

Ethio telecom stated that the milestone further reinforces the long-standing strategic partnership between the two companies and reflects their shared commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s digital ecosystem through modern, resilient, and future-ready telecommunications infrastructure. The initiative is expected to play a significant role in supporting Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation agenda by expanding high-speed connectivity, enabling innovative digital services, and empowering communities, institutions, and businesses across the country.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to investing in advanced technologies and strategic partnerships to strengthen Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure and accelerate the country’s emergence as a leading digital hub in Africa.

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In a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing Ethiopia’s international voice infrastructure, Ethio telecom has selected Bankai Group, a renowned international telecom solutions provider, as its preferred international voice termination partner. The partnership becomes effective on June 1, 2025.

According to The Fast Mode, the agreement is designed to improve voice quality, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect the integrity of international voice traffic. Ethio telecom and Bankai Group plan to collaborate in delivering high-performance and fraud-resistant voice services across major global corridors.

This marks a significant step in Ethio telecom’s efforts to strengthen Ethiopia’s role in the international telecom ecosystem, with a focus on supporting the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.

The agreement, however, excludes international voice traffic originating from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Sudan, Jordan, Somalia, and Djibouti, which remain outside the scope of this partnership.

Fayda Wallet has officially launched in Ethiopia—marking a critical step toward nationwide adoption of biometric-based digital ID and financial access.

Co-developed with technology support from TECH5 and Visa, the Fayda Wallet allows citizens to download the official app and instantly request a digital version of their Fayda ID credential. The system is designed to eliminate paperwork and streamline access to both public and private digital services.

The Cooperative Bank of Oromia (Coopbank) has become the first bank to adopt the Fayda Wallet, enabling customers to open new accounts seamlessly using biometric eKYC verification, without the need for physical documents.

The initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s Digital 2025 Strategy and the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, both of which emphasize digital identity as a foundational enabler for financial inclusion and public service access.

With secure biometric verification at its core, the platform strengthens trust while simplifying processes for underserved and unbanked populations.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistics, in partnership with Ethio telecom, has officially launched three national digital systems: the Cross-Country Public Transport Service System, the Integrated Fuel Supply System Solution, and the National Traffic Point-Based Penalty Management System.

These comprehensive platforms are designed to significantly enhance Ethiopia’s transport infrastructure, modernise public service delivery, and foster transparency across the fuel and traffic management chains.

The Cross-Country Public Transport Service System introduces a unified digital framework for managing bus ticketing, licensing, compliance, and payments. Travellers can now book and pay for tickets using their mobile phones, in multiple local languages including English, via platforms such as telebirr and other financial institutions. This solution is set to reduce delays, prevent fraud, improve data transparency, and enhance the overall efficiency of public transport nationwide.

The Integrated Fuel Supply System Solution enables fuel stations across the country to accept payments from all banks and wallets, offering real-time data integration for government oversight. By connecting all financial institutions with a central fuel management system, it improves market control, curbs illicit fuel trade, and ensures accountability from distribution to retail. Drivers can now refuel anywhere in Ethiopia using their preferred digital payment method.

The National Traffic Point-Based Penalty Management System digitises the enforcement of traffic laws, replacing outdated manual systems. It facilitates centralised recording of driver data, tracks infractions through a point-based mechanism, and streamlines penalty payments. This modern system is expected to promote safer roads, improve legal compliance, and support policymaking with reliable data. It also reduces the administrative burden on regional transport offices and supports integration via Ethio telecom’s TeleCloud without additional infrastructure investment.

Ethio telecom emphasised that the systems were developed by local private software developers and feature full API integration for interoperability with financial institutions.

In a move signaling broader participation in Ethiopia’s liberalizing digital fuel payment ecosystem, Dashen Bank has launched a seamless fuel payment feature through its Super App, becoming the latest entrant to challenge the long-standing dominance of state-backed platforms.

For nearly two years, Telebirr, along with digital wallets from the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia (COOP), served as the primary—and for a time, exclusive—channels for fuel payments in the country. However, Ethiopia’s fuel payment landscape is shifting under the weight of digital reform and policy liberalization.

The April 2023 national fuel reform, initiated by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, marked a turning point. Aimed at digitalizing the sector using cutting-edge technologies, the reform has driven major cost savings and transaction efficiency. According to State Minister Bareo Hassan, the digital framework has already enabled over ETB 430 billion in digital transactions and saved the country more than ETB 190 billion in costs.

“But this wasn’t a complete success,” Bareo acknowledged, noting that participation has remained limited to only a few players.

To address this bottleneck, Ministry of Transport and Logistics has been working on a grand digital fuel payment integration platform, in collaboration with Ethio Telecom and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. The initiative invites broader banking sector participation—a call Dashen Bank has now answered.

The state minister welcomed Dashen Bank’s quick uptake of the initiative, hailing it as a sign of the private sector’s growing alignment with Ethiopia’s digital transformation agenda.

At a press briefing, Ayele Teshome, Dashen Bank CEO Representative, announced that customers can now pay for fuel at selected stations in just three clicks using the Dashen Super App. The bank plans to roll out the service nationwide in the coming weeks.

“Our fast and secure fuel payment feature allows customers to log in, select the fuel payment mini app, and scan a QR code to complete the transaction instantly,” said Ayele.

This service not only simplifies the consumer experience but also enhances operational efficiency for gas stations and offers new oversight capabilities for government regulators. Dashen’s mini app—nested within its flagship Super App—enables users to fill out a simple form and pay without friction, helping to modernize one of the country’s most essential consumer transactions.

In a bold stride toward digital economic transformation, Ethio Telecom has launched Zemen GEBEYA, Ethiopia’s first-ever national digital marketplace. This groundbreaking platform signals the country’s formal entry into e-commerce on a continental scale, with ambitions to redefine how businesses and consumers interact across Ethiopia’s diverse regions.

“Our legacy on African e-commerce is minimal due to the absence of a national platform,” remarked Frehiwot Tamiru, CEO of Ethio Telecom. “With Ethiopia being the second most populous country in Africa, Zemen GEBEYA is set to position us firmly on the digital commerce map of the continent.”

More than just a transactional space, Zemen GEBEYA is a full-fledged digital infrastructure. It aims to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by offering an inclusive, accessible online environment to scale their operations, reach new markets, and reduce overhead costs. From rural artisans to urban entrepreneurs, the marketplace is designed to democratize commerce and bring traditionally informal sectors into the digital economy.

Zemen GEBEYA’s launch builds on Ethio Telecom’s expansive digital ecosystem. With over 82.5 million telecom subscribers—45.7 million of whom use mobile broadband—and 33 million smartphone users, the groundwork for a thriving e-commerce platform is already in place. telebirr, the company’s mobile money service, boasts 52.5 million users and 7.5 million SuperApp users, having facilitated ETB 4.1 trillion in transactions to date, averaging ETB 7.6 billion daily.

These figures represent more than just technological access—they signal readiness. With 4G available in 835 cities and 5G already rolled out in 25, Ethio Telecom’s infrastructure is primed to support a national e-commerce revolution.

Zemen GEBEYA is offered as a mini app inside the telebirr SuperApp and includes a suite of integrated tools: a merchants’ portal and mobile app, consumer-facing interface, logistics management tools, a dispatcher app, and a system admin portal. This ecosystem is engineered to create smooth, transparent operations for buyers, sellers, and service providers.

Already, 42 businesses and logistics companies have joined the platform, showing early signs of momentum. Sellers can now manage inventories, reach customers directly, access digital payment tools, and benefit from marketing support—all within a centralized system.

Frehiwot emphasizes the platform’s security and credibility: “telebirr has never faced a security issue, and Zemen GEBEYA is built with the same robust infrastructure. Payments are only released to sellers once buyers confirm product satisfaction. Plus, with integration to the revenue authority, electronic tax receipts are recognized and compliant.”

One of the platform’s biggest value propositions is its role in formalizing Ethiopia’s vast, fragmented market system. For small producers, farmers, and artisans often locked into localized trade networks, Zemen GEBEYA opens a digital gateway to national and even global consumers.

The platform aligns with the goals of Digital Ethiopia 2025—promoting financial inclusion, digital literacy, and e-trade readiness. It’s expected to stimulate local production, encourage logistics innovation, and create jobs in both the digital and delivery sectors.

Zemen GEBEYA also promises real benefits for consumers. By cutting out intermediaries and enhancing price transparency, buyers can enjoy broader product access, reliable delivery, and competitive pricing. For underserved rural communities, this could mean access to goods and services once limited to urban centers.

Logistics providers, meanwhile, gain access to data-driven systems that can optimize routes and service quality. Ethio Telecom sees this as a key growth engine for both startups and established firms in the sector.

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A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, EthioTelecom, and regional and city administrations to establish a unified, nationwide traffic fine system.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the initiative seeks to create a consistent and transparent framework for managing traffic violations across the country. The new system is expected to significantly bolster law enforcement capabilities and enhance regulatory efficiency by streamlining interactions between authorities and motorists.

The agreement also marks a pivotal step towards digitising the traffic fine process—transitioning from a fragmented, manual approach to a centralised digital platform. This transformation is anticipated to improve operational accuracy, ensure greater transparency, and accelerate the enforcement process.

In a groundbreaking move set to transform Ethiopia’s digital financial ecosystem, Ethio Telecom and MasterCard Africa are exploring a strategic collaboration to introduce cutting-edge digital financial services.

A high-level delegation, led by Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamiru and MasterCard Africa President Mark Elliott, engaged in discussions to leverage their respective platforms—Telebirr and MasterCard—to expand financial access, accelerate digital payments, and drive sustainable economic growth.

CEO Frehiwot Tamiru emphasized Ethio Telecom’s strong market position, highlighting its vast customer base and robust infrastructure as key enablers in unlocking new digital opportunities. “Our partnership with MasterCard is driven by a shared vision to revolutionize Ethiopia’s financial sector and empower millions through innovative digital solutions,” she stated.

Echoing this sentiment, Mark Elliott, Division President, Mastercard Africa underscored MasterCard’s commitment to the Ethiopian market, citing Ethio Telecom’s rapid growth and infrastructure capabilities as a solid foundation for success. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to drive financial inclusion and create a more connected and competitive digital economy,” he said.

Ethio Telecom has delivered impressive financial and operational results, posting a 7.9% increase in subscriptions, a 43% surge in top-line growth, and a 55.5% rise in EBITDA margin year-on-year. These gains pushed the state-owned telecom giant’s provisional revenue to ETB 61.9 billion for the first half of the Ethiopian fiscal year 2024/25. The figures were presented during a six-month performance dialogue with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH).

A major contributor to this success is Telebirr, Ethio Telecom’s rapidly expanding digital finance platform. According to EIH, Telebirr facilitated transactions worth ETB 1.03 trillion for over 51.5 million users during the reporting period, generating ETB 1.67 billion in revenue, underscoring its growing role in Ethiopia’s digital economy.

EIH commended Ethio Telecom’s strategic execution, digital innovation, and contributions to financial inclusion. Looking ahead, the holding company advised Ethio Telecom to maintain its growth trajectory by enhancing service quality amid intensifying competition, optimizing operational efficiency, and staying attuned to global telecom and banking trends to ensure seamless industry collaboration.

In a remarkable celebration of its 130th anniversary, Ethio Telecom has been showering its customers with incredible prizes since September 22, 2024, through the Ethio 130 Mega Promo and Ethio 131 Laki Slot Prize Program. As part of the ongoing festivities, today the company awarded two modern BYD electric cars and five 3-wheeled vehicles to lucky winners.

The giveaway includes one BYD electric car for 393,375 special customers selected in a lottery, alongside three 3-wheeled vehicles for 540,566 lucky participants. In addition, as part of the Ethio 131 Laki Slot Prize Program, another BYD electric car was presented to 226,970 winners, with two more 3-wheeled vehicles handed to 407,200 lucky individuals.

This isn’t the first time Ethio Telecom has distributed prizes through its celebrations. Previously, two electric cars were awarded to customers in Addis Ababa and Weliso, while three 3-wheeled vehicles went to winners in Harar, Arsi Negele, and Hosanna.

The prizes don’t stop there—over the past five months, Ethio Telecom has given away 141 modern smartphones, 10.56 million birr in TeleBir electronic money, and 1.18 million mobile packages, totaling an impressive 49.45 million birr in prizes.

Ethio Telecom, ZTE Ink 647-Site Deal to Push 4G Coverage to 95.5%

Ethio Telecom Partners with Bankai Group to Boost Voice Quality

Fayda Wallet Launches in Ethiopia, Ushering in a New Era of Biometric Banking

Ethiopia Unveils Nationwide Digital Systems to Transform Transport, Fuel and Traffic Management

Dashen Bank Joins Ethiopia’s Expanding Digital Fuel Payment Frontier as Sector Opens Up

Ethiopia Joins the E-Commerce Race with Its First Nationwide Online Market Place

Government Moves to Standardise Traffic Fines with Nationwide Digital System

Telebirr and MasterCard Platforms to Power Ethiopia’s Digital Finance Expansion

Ethio Telecom’s Telebirr Processes ETB 1.03 Trillion in Transactions, Reports ETB 1.67 Billion Revenue

Ethio Telecom Hands Over Electric Cars and 3-Wheeled Vehicles in New Prize Giveaway