Ethio Telecom receives a high-level delegation visit from the Saudi Telecom Company (STC). The delegation was led by Mr. Bander A. Alkhodair, Director of Carrier Sales, and Engr. Ziad Hamad A. AlHasson, Vice President of Sales Carrier & Wholesale.
The visit was a significant step in strengthening the two operators’ partnership. Talks centred on diversifying digital services, opening up new growth engines, and growing current business partnerships.
“There are many areas where we can collaborate and explore new sources of growth for our mutual benefit, opportunities that will ultimately advance our nations’ digital transformation and accelerate the development of a more inclusive digital economy,” stressed Frehiwot Tamru, CEO of Ethio Telecom, who chaired the high-level meeting.
Focus areas of Ethio Telecom and Saudi Telecom’s discussion
Discussions focused on specific tactics to increase digital infrastructure capabilities, wholesale business collaboration, and the integration of digital financial services.
Both sides are committed to using the Telebirr and STC Pay platforms to improve digital financial offerings, fortify international payment and remittance ecosystems, and provide customers with more value.
Saudi Telecom commends Ethio Telecom’s accomplishments in Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey
The STC delegation acknowledged Ethio Telecom’s accomplishments in delivering transformative projects over the last six years and spearheading Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey, praising its strong performance and demonstrated execution capacity.
Ethio Telecom and STC are positioned to grow their wholesale and carrier partnerships by coordinating resources and leveraging synergies.
They can also open up new doors in fintech, remittances, diversified digital solutions, and general business expansion.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting innovation, digital inclusion, and sustainable economic growth in an increasingly interconnected world.
Etho Telecom’s annual business plan
Ethio Telecom unveiled its annual business plan for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday. The plan will be implemented during the first year of its three-year new growth strategy, “NEXT HORIZON.”
In the fiscal year, plans are to implement several infrastructure expansions, including replacing copper lines with fibre in Addis Ababa and regional cities, expanding 5G service to 10 more cities, and adding 4G service stations to reach 85 per cent public coverage in 550 additional cities.
Additionally, it plans to increase its customer base to 88 million during the current fiscal year, bringing the overall telecom penetration rate to 77.2 per cent and the number of Telebirr users to 62.5 million.
Over 3.5 million customer devices and 327 products and services will be introduced during the fiscal year. The aim is to increase total revenue to 235.8 billion Birr, a planned 45.6 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year.