Safaricom Submits Expression of Interest For A Teleco License in Ethiopia

Safaricom, A Kenyan telecommunication giant, has submitted expression of Interest for one of the two telecommunications licenses in Ethiopia according to Standard Media report.

Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has launched the request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for two new telecommunications licenses last month.

ECA aims to issue two nationwide telecommunications service licenses via “a competitive bidding process in accordance with the Communications Service Proclamation No.1148/2019” . The deadline for the submission of Expression of Interest is June 22,2020.

Besides Safaricom, other International Teleco’s like MTN and Orange are expected to bid.

Standard Media reports also mentioned that Safaricom expressed interest in  expectations that the process of selecting the companies to set up operations in Ethiopia would be complete in 2021.

Peter Ndegwa ,Safaricom Chief Executive, said the decision by the Ethiopian government might however be delayed due to complications occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Ethiopia is probably one of the few remaining market opportunities for telcos. The country has said it will offer telecommunication licences for sale soon and has already asked for expressions of interest,” Mr Ndegwa said yesterday when he paid a courtesy call to Orlando Lyomu, Chief Executive Officer at the Standard Group.

Safaricom submitted the EOI together with other partners.