Safaricom Ethiopia has achieved a major milestone, reaching 10 million 90-day active customers just four years after being granted its operational license. This rapid growth underscores the company’s significant investment and commitment to accelerating Ethiopia’s digital transformation by providing inclusive and high-quality mobile connectivity.
The achievement marks a substantial step from its initial launch. In October 2022, Safaricom Ethiopia officially switched on its mobile network, becoming the first private competitor to the state-owned Ethio Telecom. Within its first month of operations, the company signed up 740,000 customers, signaling strong market demand from the outset.
Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, highlighted the responsibility that comes with this growth. “Achieving an active customer base of 10 million is a significant milestone for us, but it also brings with it great responsibility,” he stated. “Our mission is to serve, enable, and support Ethiopia’s development through world-class connectivity and innovation.”
Massive Investment and Network Expansion
Safaricom Ethiopia’s growth is fueled by a substantial investment of over 300 billion ETB (USD 2.27 billion) over the last four years. This capital has been directed towards building a robust telecom and digital financial services infrastructure.
Key network and growth statistics include:
- Extensive 4G Coverage: The company’s 4G network now covers more than 50% of the population.
- Nationwide Presence: A total of 3,141 live sites have been deployed across more than 150 towns and cities.
- Strong Customer Acquisition: An average of 31,000 new customers are joining the network daily.
- Rising Data Consumption: Of the 10 million active users, 7.1 million are active mobile data customers, with average monthly data usage climbing to 6.5GB per user, a 53% increase from the previous year.
This progress shows a consistent upward trend. By December 2023, the company had over 2,200 base stations covering 30% of the population, and by March 2025, its active customer base had already doubled year-over-year to 8.8 million.
Driving Economic and Social Impact
Beyond network infrastructure, Safaricom Ethiopia has become a significant contributor to the local economy. The company directly employs 900 staff, with 97% being Ethiopian nationals. Furthermore, it has created indirect employment for over 20,000 people through its network of brand ambassadors, distribution partners, and subcontractors. By March 2025, the company had already created 898 direct jobs, with 95% held by locals.
The company has also demonstrated a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, allocating over 100 million ETB to support community initiatives. These include:
- Donating laptops, routers, and free internet to schools nationwide.
- Providing assistance to fire-affected businesses in Ashewa and landslide victims in the Gofa Zone.
- Contributing 10 million ETB to the Mekedonia Humanitarian Association.
The Growth of M-PESA in Ethiopia
A key part of Safaricom’s strategy has been the introduction of its mobile money service, M-PESA. Launched in Ethiopia in August 2023, M-PESA is steadily gaining traction in a market where cash has been dominant. By December 2024, the service had already attracted 10.8 million cumulative customers since its inception.
The service’s utility is expanding, now including digital fuel payments and support for cross-border transfers between Kenya and Ethiopia, further integrating the regional digital economy. While the service is still in its early stages financially, its transaction value hit KES 20.6 billion by March 2025, showing increasing adoption.
A Commitment to a Digital Ethiopia
Safaricom’s venture into Ethiopia is part of the government’s Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, which aims to leverage technology for societal prosperity. The telco is owned by an international consortium that includes Vodafone Group, Safaricom PLC, Vodacom Group, Sumitomo Corporation, and British International Investment (BII).
As the Ethiopian market continues to grow, it is emerging as a key market for Safaricom, driven by a young population and increasing demand for connectivity. Despite the heavy initial investment and losses reported in the FY25 financial results, Safaricom PLC has repeatedly reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the country.
Looking ahead, Safaricom Ethiopia aims to continue its expansion and deepen its impact. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our customers for choosing Safaricom Ethiopia as their digital partner,” the company stated. “Together, we are building a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Ethiopia.”
