Following the launching of Expression of Interest process for the issuance of two new full-service telecommunication licenses in Ethiopia, 12 major telecom operators have shown interest.
On its statement Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) said it has received complete information and expression of interest from the Global Partnership for Ethiopia (a consortium of telecom operators made of Vodafone, Vodacom, and Safaricom), Etisalat, Axian, MTN, Orange, Saudi Telecom Company, Telkom SA, Liquid Telecom, Snail Mobile, and the two non-telecom operators, Kandu Global Telecommunications and Electromecha International Projects.
The prospective bidders were given one month to express their interest by submitting the requested information. In the Expression of Interest, the prospective bidders were requested to provide information on their organizational structure, global operating footprint, details of countries of operation, number of mobile phone subscribers, and other relevant information that can help the authorities assess the strength of potential bidders and determine the adequate level of qualification criteria to select the type of operators that would fit best into the Ethiopian market.
Accordingly, on the closing date of June 22nd, 2020, the ECA received 12 submissions, of which 9 are telecom operators and 2 are non-telecom operators and 1 incomplete submission.
The Ministry of Finance and ECA would like to thank all those potential bidders who have responded to the request and expressed their interest. As the ECA prepares for the next stage, it will keep the participants informed and engaged as the process moves forward. ECA remains fully committed to fulfill Ethiopia’s telecommunications sector reform and enhance its digital transformation.