This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
On July 8, 2019, Ethiopia announced plans to award two telecom licenses to foreign companies, paving the way for private sector participation in the country's telecommunications market.
The move is part of the government's broader economic reforms aimed at driving growth in Africa's fastest-growing economy.
According to the Ministry of Finance, privatizing the telecommunications sector will facilitate Ethiopia's push towards a digital economy by closing gaps in digital infrastructure and enabling the introduction of new technologies.
As part of its plans, the government has established the Ethiopian Communication Authority, an independent regulatory body responsible for monitoring, regulating, and licensing telecommunications companies in the country.
Several international tier-one telecom companies have expressed interest in operating in Ethiopia, which boasts a population of over 100 million residents.
