Ethio Telecom Announces Successful Completion of First Year of Next Horizon Strategy

Addis Ababa, Sep 3, 2026 (ENA) —Ethio telecom has successfully completed the first year of its three-year "Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond Strategy", which  targets to expand its customer base to 100 million, CEO Frehiwot Tamiru said today.

The Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond is a three-year strategy covering 2024/26 to 2027/28. It seeks to transform Ethio telecom from a traditional telecommunications provider into a technology-driven company by expanding digital financial services, cloud solutions, digital platforms, enterprise technologies and other services beyond basic connectivity.

Speaking at a press conference, Frehiwot said the first year of the strategy delivered strong growth and accelerated transformation, laying a solid foundation for the company’s next phase of development.

The CEO added that the company’s second-year plan goes beyond financial and operational performance by focusing on empowering people, transforming lives and creating wider economic opportunities through digital technologies.

By the year 2027/28 the company targets to provide more than 2.6 million employment, while strengthening access to digital services for citizens, businesses and communities.

Frehiwot emphasized that reliable and affordable connectivity remain the foundation for Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation.

According to her, Ethio telecom aims to increase its customer base to 96.2 million by the end of 2026/27.

The company plans to expand 4G population coverage to 95 percent, up from 82.23 percent, while increasing 4G services to 1,500 towns. Its 5G network is expected to reach 73 towns, adding 40 towns during the year.

Ethio telecom will further expand rural connectivity and fiber infrastructure, strengthen digital infrastructure capacity and deploy AI-driven technologies to improve service quality, operational efficiency and productivity.

The company also plans to introduce and upgrade a wide range of products and services for consumers, businesses and institutions, with emphasis on digital financial services, enterprise connectivity, international services, and cloud and digital solutions.

During the first year of Next Horizon, Ethio telecom’s customer base reached about 90 million, while telebirr users approached 61 million, according to the company.

Building on the first year’s progress, the second year will focus on enhancing customer experience, expanding connectivity, accelerating digital services and strengthening the company’s transition toward a broader technology ecosystem.

By the end of the three-year strategy, Ethio telecom aims to significantly expand connectivity, digital financial services and digital solutions across Ethiopia.

The strategy is aligned with Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 agenda and broader continental digital transformation objectives, supporting efforts to build a more connected, digitally empowered and competitive economy.