Ethio Telecom
Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's state-owned incumbent telecom operator serving 80M+ mobile subscribers and 45M data users with voice, data, fixed broadband, telebirr mobile money, cloud, and enterprise digital services across domestic and diaspora markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1894
- HeadquartersAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Headcount10,001+
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ethio Telecom does
Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's state-owned incumbent telecommunications operator, originally established in 1894 and rebranded from the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation in 2010. The company operates 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G mobile networks alongside fixed broadband and fixed line services, reaching 80 million mobile voice subscribers, 45 million data and internet users, and approximately 700,000 fixed-line subscribers across Ethiopia's regions. Following partial privatization, it listed on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) in 2025 via a 10% public share sale, while the government retains majority ownership.
The company monetizes a portfolio spanning core connectivity (prepaid/postpaid mobile voice and data packages, fixed broadband, enterprise VPNs, managed security, IoT, and wavelength services) and an expanding digital ecosystem built around telebirr, a mobile money SuperApp enabling payments, savings, micro-credit, insurance, and remittances. Adjacent platforms include telecloud (B2B cloud and workspace solutions), Zemen GEBEYA (national digital marketplace), teleStream (content streaming), and Znexus (cloud-based smart devices), with recent forays into ultra-fast EV charging and government-adjacent services such as the ETRE RFID expressway toll system and National ID integration. Revenue is generated through monthly subscriptions, usage-based data/voice tariffs (with VAT-inclusive pricing from 35 Birr entry-level voice bundles to 6,250 Birr premium unlimited plans), transaction fees on telebirr, enterprise contracts, international roaming and wholesale, and device sales.
Distribution combines a nationwide footprint of Ethio Telecom service centers, a franchise partner network, online self-service portals (My Ethiotel app, telebirr SuperApp, USSD *999#), and channel/VAS partner portals. The customer base spans individual consumers, SMB/SOHO, large enterprises, government entities, financial institutions, and the Ethiopian diaspora via International Top-Up. Strategic partnerships with Huawei, Inspur, Afreximbank, AfDB, BII, and Mastercard (2026) underpin the Next Horizon Strategy focused on digital infrastructure, cloud, and cross-border financial services. The company maintains ISO 27001:2022, PCI DSS, and CSA STAR certifications for its telebirr and cloud operations.
Ethio Telecom firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ethio Telecom
- Legal name
- Ethio telecom
- Website
- https://ethiotelecom.et
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1894
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 10,001+ employees
- Short description
- Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's state-owned incumbent telecom operator serving 80M+ mobile subscribers and 45M data users with voice, data, fixed broadband, telebirr mobile money, cloud, and enterprise digital services across domestic and diaspora markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Ethio Telecom is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Addis Ababa
- HQ country
- Ethiopia
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices6 records
Markets served
Ethio Telecom business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Mobile Voice Services: Traditional mobile voice services generating revenue from prepaid and postpaid subscriptions including airtime, call packages, and roaming services.
- Mobile Data and Internet: Data packages, internet bundles, and broadband services for consumers and enterprises across 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks.
- telebirr Financial Services: Mobile money platform generating revenue from transactions, transfers, payments, and financial services including micro-credit, savings, and insurance products.
- Enterprise Solutions: B2B services including VPN, managed security, cloud solutions, contact center solutions, IoT, fixed line, and wavelength services for corporate customers.
- International Services: International roaming, call/SMS, wholesale business, and remittance services for cross-border connectivity.
- Device Sales: Sale of mobile phones, devices, routers, and equipment through Zemen GEBEYA marketplace and retail channels.
- Fixed Line Services: Fixed voice and broadband services for residential and business customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Mobile Voice Packages for Enterprise |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Mobile Data Packages |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Voice + Data Combo Packages |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Unlimited Mobile Packages |
| Subscription | Monthly | Business CUG (Closed User Group) Packages |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Enterprise SMS Packages |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Out-of-Bundle Rates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ethio Telecom product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's state-owned telecommunications operator providing nationwide mobile voice and data services across 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, fixed broadband and fixed line services, and international roaming. Beyond connectivity, it runs the telebirr mobile money SuperApp for financial inclusion, the telecloud platform for business cloud services, the Zemen GEBEYA digital marketplace, the teleStream content platform, and enterprise solutions (VPN, managed security, IoT, contact center) under one integrated provider.
Product overview
Ethio Telecom operates as a comprehensive telecommunications and digital services provider offering a platform-plus-services architecture centered around its telebirr mobile money SuperApp. The core portfolio includes mobile voice and data services (2G/3G/4G LTE/5G), fixed broadband internet, and fixed line services. The digital ecosystem extends through cloud solutions (telecloud, Znexus workspace solutions), digital marketplaces (Zemen GEBEYA), streaming services (teleStream), enterprise solutions (VPN, Managed Security, Contact Center, ERP), IoT services (EV charging, cattle tracking, fleet management), and financial services through telebirr including savings, micro-credit, and insurance. The company serves both consumer (personal) and business segments with bundled packages, VAS offerings, and international roaming services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- telebirr: Transformative mobile money platform enabling financial inclusion and digital payments
- telecloud
- Zemen GEBEYA
- teleStream
- znexus
- telePTT
- teleHub
- telegebeya
Products and services
- telebirr Mobile Money SuperApp Mobile money SuperApp offering peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, savings, micro-credit, insurance, international remittances, and merchant payments for Ethiopian consumers, merchants, and financial institutions.
- Mobile Voice and Data Packages Prepaid and postpaid mobile voice minutes, SMS bundles, and mobile internet data packages (daily, weekly, monthly, long-validity) running on 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks for individual and business subscribers.
- 5G Mobile Packages Ultra-fast 5G mobile network packages providing high-speed data connectivity for personal and business customers across Ethiopia.
- Fixed Broadband Internet Fixed broadband internet services including FBB, EVDO, wireless broadband, and fiber optic connections for residential and enterprise customers across Ethiopia.
- Fixed Line Telephone Service Traditional fixed line telephone services for residential and business customers in Ethiopia.
- International Roaming Service International roaming services for voice, data, and SMS for Ethio Telecom subscribers traveling abroad across partner networks.
- International Call and SMS International voice calling and SMS services from Ethiopia to destinations worldwide for individual and wholesale customers.
- eSIM Service Embedded SIM (eSIM) technology service enabling digital SIM activation without physical SIM cards for compatible devices.
- telecloud Cloud Services Cloud computing platform offering cloud infrastructure, workspace solutions, and partnership cloud services for Ethiopian businesses.
- Zemen GEBEYA Digital Marketplace Unified national digital marketplace platform operated by Ethio Telecom for digital shopping experiences and commerce across Ethiopia.
- Znexus Cloud-Based Smart Workspace Solutions Cloud-based smart devices and workspace solutions designed to address digital usage gaps and accelerate inclusive digital transformation for Ethiopian users.
- teleStream Digital Content Platform Multi-sector digital content streaming platform powered by Ethiopia's digital backbone, offering entertainment content to subscribers.
- VPN Service Virtual Private Network services for secure business communications and remote access for enterprise customers.
- Managed Security Services Enterprise security services including threat detection, firewall management, and cybersecurity solutions for businesses.
- DNS and Web Hosting Domain name registration, web hosting, and email hosting services for Ethiopian businesses and individuals.
- Wavelength Service Optical wavelength services for high-capacity point-to-point data transmission for enterprise and carrier customers.
- Enterprise Starter Package (ESP) Starter business solutions package designed for small and medium enterprises combining mobile, data, and business communication services.
- Contact Center Solution Business contact center solutions including cloud-based call handling and CRM integration for enterprise customers.
- EV Charging Stations Ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations supporting Ethiopia's green transformation and clean energy adoption.
- Cloud-Powered Core Banking Cloud-based core banking system solution for Ethiopian financial institutions.
- Cloud-Based ERP Solution Cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for Ethiopian businesses across industries.
- Fleet and Fuel Management IoT-based fleet management and fuel monitoring solution for enterprise fleet operators.
- Digital Cattle Tracking IoT-based livestock tracking and management solution for the agricultural sector.
- Education Management System (EMS) Digital education management platform for Ethiopian schools and educational institutions.
- National ID Digital Identity Service Digital identity service integrated with Ethiopia's national ID verification systems for citizens, government, and enterprises.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80 million mobile voice subscribers
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Ethio Telecom
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Ethio Telecom technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature10 records
Ethio Telecom partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Inspur Software TechnologycoreStrategic partnership exploration to accelerate Ethiopia's digital infrastructure transformation. Collaboration aimed at advancing cloud solutions and digital services.
- HuaweicoreStrengthened strategic partnership to accelerate enterprise and SME growth through digital innovation. Deep collaboration on network infrastructure and enterprise solutions.
- MastercardcoreAlignment on progress and advancement of future-ready international digital financial solutions. Collaboration on payment technologies and financial services.
- ETRE (Ethiopian Toll Road Enterprise)coreJoint development of RFID-powered toll payment system enabling seamless expressway mobility powered by telebirr. Smart mobility and payment solutions.
- Italian EmbassyminorStrategic partnership discussions between Ethio Telecom CEO and Italian Ambassador to accelerate Ethiopia's digital initiatives.
- SMS Hub Providers (P2P)minorInvitation for P2P SMS Hub providers to partner for commercializing SMS traffic between networks. Global messaging service partnership.
- International Top-Up Distribution PartnersminorPartnership for International Top-Up service enabling Ethiopians abroad to recharge mobile accounts of family and friends in Ethiopia.
Scale indicators27 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ethio Telecom competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ethio Telecom social profiles
Digital presenceEthio Telecom compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Ethio Telecom financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ethio Telecom leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ethio Telecom funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ethio Telecom M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ethio Telecom
What does Ethio Telecom do?
Ethio Telecom is Ethiopia's state-owned telecommunications operator providing nationwide mobile voice and data services across 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, fixed broadband and fixed line services, and international roaming. Beyond connectivity, it runs the telebirr mobile money SuperApp for financial inclusion, the telecloud platform for business cloud services, the Zemen GEBEYA digital marketplace, the teleStream content platform, and enterprise solutions (VPN, managed security, IoT, contact center) under one integrated provider.
Is Ethio Telecom a public or private company?
Ethio Telecom is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Ethio Telecom founded?
Ethio Telecom was founded in 1894. It employs 10,001+ people.
Where is Ethio Telecom based?
Ethio Telecom is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the Africa region.
How does Ethio Telecom make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Mobile Voice Services are the primary driver. The others are mobile Data and Internet, telebirr Financial Services, enterprise Solutions, international Services, device Sales and fixed Line Services.
Does Ethio Telecom have an API?
Yes. Ethio Telecom offers a Developer Portal (developer.ethiotelecom.et) for telebirr integrations, enabling third-party developers to build applications that connect with the telebirr mobile money platform. The portal supports API-based integrations for payment processing, mobile money services, and financial transactions. Developer documentation is at developer.ethiotelecom.et.