Ethiopia has finalized its preparation to issue international tender in the coming June to license the third telecom operator soon, according to the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA).

Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) Director-General, Balcha Reba told ENA that the authority is finalizing its preparation to award license to the third telecom operator in Ethiopia.

Recall that the telecom sector has been open for competent international operators by the government of Ethiopia as part of the homegrown economic reform.

Based on the decision made to license two telecom service operators in the country, Ethiopia has awarded the Unified Telecommunications Operator License to a private consortium operating under the name Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia in 2022.

The introduction of Safaricom Ethiopia into the country’s telecom market creates competitions and inspires to have the third telecom operator in Ethiopia, he pointed out.

Noting that promotional activities have been done for investors to explore Ethiopia’s investment opportunities, Balcha said the desire from investors to invest in Ethiopia is increasing following the introduction of various incentives and the revision of investment law among others.

Stating that issuing the international tender for the third telecom license will take place next June, 2023, he said the license will be awarded via a competitive tender process with similar transparency which was done during the licensing process of Safaricom Ethiopia.

Increasing the number of telecom operators in Ethiopia to three would pave ways to expedite the ongoing efforts of digitalization in addition to strengthening the service,it was indicated.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency