Ethio Telecom Enters Capital Market in Historic Listing on Ethiopian Securities Exchange

Addis Ababa, May 26, 2026 —Ethio Telecom has been officially listed on the Ethio Telecom shares market under the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), marking a historic turning point in the country’s financial and capital market development.

The listing follows a public share offer in which the state-owned telecom operator sold a 10 percent stake to Ethiopian citizens.

The initiative is designed to broaden public participation in ownership of one of the country’s largest and most profitable enterprises, while also laying the groundwork for a more inclusive investment culture and a modern capital market system.

Speaking at the official listing ceremony, Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru said the company is committed to supporting Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation agenda and strengthening financial inclusion.

She emphasized that the move aligns with national efforts under “Digital Ethiopia,” aimed at expanding access to digital services and economic opportunity.

Regulatory authorities also highlighted the significance of the development, ENA learned.

Ethiopian Capital Market Authority Director General, Hana Tehelku noted that Ethio Telecom’s entry into the exchange reflects the growing role of major state enterprises in advancing technology, investment, and financial sector development.

 She added that the authority remains committed to providing regulatory oversight and institutional support as Ethiopia builds its capital market ecosystem.

For his part, Ethiopian Securities Exchange  CEO Tilahun Esmael, described the listing as a key milestone for Ethiopia’s financial system, highlighting Ethio Telecom’s transformation and its importance in shaping the country’s digital and financial future.

Beyond the institutional announcements, the listing is widely viewed as a foundational step in Ethiopia’s effort to establish a functioning capital market.

It is expected to encourage domestic investment, attract potential foreign participation in the long term, and create a formal platform where citizens can trade shares and build wealth through equity ownership.

Analysts see the move as part of a broader structural shift: transitioning from a largely state-led economic model toward a more market-oriented system with regulated investment channels.

While still at an early stage, the Ethiopian Securities Exchange is positioned as a central pillar in that transition, aiming to connect businesses with capital and citizens with investment opportunities in a transparent marketplace, it was learned.

Against this backdrop, the listing of Ethio Telecom is widely seen not only as a corporate milestone, but also as a symbolic gateway for Ethiopia’s entry into organized capital markets.