This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
Published on June 13, 2020, Safaricom has bid for one of the two telecommunications licences up for grabs in neighbouring Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian government has invited international firms to bid for the licences, with the process expected to be complete in 2021.
According to Safaricom Chief Executive Peter Ndegwa, the decision by the Ethiopian government might be delayed due to complications occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Ethiopia is probably one of the few remaining market opportunities for telcos," Mr Ndegwa said.
The Ethiopian telecommunications market is being opened up for foreign firms, with the country's huge population of over 100 million people making it an attractive market.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's efforts to liberalise the economy are part of the reason for the market's opening up.
Mr Ndegwa, who joined Safaricom in April 2020, has outlined his vision for the company's growth, which will focus heavily on innovations and solutions that solve local problems.
