Cisco, a US-based networking and cybersecurity company with an office in Kenya, stated at the Enkopa Summit on Thursday that it is interested in Ethiopia’s digital market but that regulatory barriers prevent the country from adopting cloud computing.
According to Cisco System Engineer Charles Nzioka, Ethiopia’s cloud regulations remain a significant obstacle.
“We still face a lot of pushback when it comes to adopting cloud services. This was a huge barrier. We cannot move data to the cloud, which forces us to bring these cases to policymakers,” he noted.
Advantages for Ethiopia
He stated that, in contrast to Kenya, which depends on imported electricity, Ethiopia has an abundant power supply, which is advantageous for energy-intensive infrastructure.
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Government representatives responded to the remarks in a measured manner, emphasising a cautious approach to cloud deployment abroad.
According to Yodahe Zemichael, executive director of National ID Ethiopia, the government is in favour of cloud adoption, but data security and sovereignty are given priority.
“Cloud is a cultural thing. You have the data, but you don’t know where it is, especially when it crosses borders. That is scary,” he remarked, adding that centralised data centres facilitate effective infrastructure management without the need for dispersed facilities.
Ethiopia’s regulatory environment
This prudence is reinforced by Ethiopia’s regulatory environment. According to the Personal Data Protection Proclamation of 2024, domestically collected data must be kept in the nation; cross-border transfers are only allowedunder particular circumstances.
State-owned Ethio Telecom, the operator of Telecloud, a platform catering to enterprise, government, and sector-specific digital needs, is at the forefront of the domestic cloud ecosystem.
Telecloud now offers safe, scalable, and energy-efficient infrastructure with 192 racks, 8,064 servers, 840 vCPUs, 4.5PBobject storage, and 6PB enterprise storage.
In keeping with Ethio Telecom’s “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 Strategy,” the platform integrates green energy initiatives and supports fintech services like Telebirr, digital marketplaces, and large-scale enterprise solutions.
Cisco’s footprint in East Africa
Cisco is well-established in East Africa, and its Nairobi office in Kenya acts as a regional centre for network solutions, cloud consulting, and cybersecurity services.
In addition to offering enterprise solutions and supporting cross-border cloud deployments where permitted by law, the Nairobi office manages regional projects.
The Enkopa Summit 2025 has become a significant venue for investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Ethiopia. Over 1,200 people attended the event at Hayat Regency, including investors, entrepreneurs, legislators, and tech executives.
This number reflects Africa’s increasing desire to draw in international funding and collaborations in the energy-intensive, digital, and infrastructure sectors.
Several panels at the summit covered technology, the gig economy, financial inclusion, artificial intelligence, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
The conversations provided context for Cisco’s worries about regulatory limitations on cloud services by shedding light on Ethiopia’s efforts to draw in investment, develop talent, and integrate into Africa’s digital economy.