Safaricom Ethiopia Integrates Network Expansion with New Year Community Development Initiatives in Eastern Ethiopia
Safaricom Ethiopia is pleased to announce the launch of its network expansion in the Chiro cluster, covering 32 cities and 114 sites across Western and Eastern Harerghe.
This strategic initiative aims to enhance telecommunications coverage in the region, supporting local economic activities and providing better connectivity for residents.
During launch events held in Kulubi, Chelenko, Karamille, Hirna, and Chiro towns, Safaricom Ethiopia CEO Wim Vanhelleputte emphasized the company’s commitment to the community: “We have built shops in Chiro and other major towns in the cluster, making our products and services more accessible while creating employment opportunities.”
Considering that the Ethiopian new year is up on us, we have integrated our network expansion efforts with a vast community engagement initiative.
The first of these community engagement activities took place on 2 September 2024, as we donated 10 laptops and 2 routers to the computer lab of Chercher High School in Western Hararghe.
Additionally, 1,200 exercise books and 150 pens were given to 100 students from low-income families.
The computer lab has also been equipped with six months of free Wi-Fi, enhancing learning opportunities for students. The total value of the donation is 1.1 million birr.
The second of our new year community engagement activities saw us donate 50 laptops, 10 wifi routers, 6 months of free internet, 6,000 exercise books and 750 pens to five schools in Harar.
The contribution is worth a total of more than 5 million birr. During the handover ceremony, Deputy Speaker of the Harari Regional Council, Amina Abdulkerim underscored that the donation helps create more competent students, lower school dropout rates and support online learning.
Safaricom Ethiopia remains dedicated to driving positive change and fostering economic growth in the communities it serves.
In May 2024, Safaricom Ethiopia is poised to make a substantial investment of $1.5 billion over the next three years, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch telecommunications services throughout the nation.
The company is aggressively pursuing the expansion of its network infrastructure across various regions, with plans to erect 5000 new towers within the specified timeframe, bringing the total count to 7000.
Presently, Safaricom Ethiopia operates 2500 towers nationwide, with 1500 being self-built and the remainder leased from ethio telecom.
The company aims to bolster its network by constructing an additional 10,000 to 12,000 towers over the next decade.
Notably, the company’s Mobile Financial Services, branded as M-PESA, commenced operations in August 2023 following the acquisition of a Payment Instrument Issuer License from the National Bank of Ethiopia.
Despite these, Safaricom Ethiopia has faced challenges such as security concerns, inflationary pressures, and sporadic internet service disruptions in certain regions, impacting its profitability.
Nevertheless, the company remains steadfast in its mission to serve the Ethiopian market, with aspirations to predominantly cater to Ethiopian customers, aiming for a 98 percent customer base within the next decade.
