Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC has reached a historic milestone, surpassing 10 million 90-day active customers just four years after launching operations, marking a major leap forward in Ethiopia’s digital future within one of Africa’s most dynamic and challenging telecom markets.
This achievement marks a major step forward in Ethiopia’s digital transformation and positions the company as a central player in the country’s rapidly evolving connectivity landscape.
Appointed in September 2023, CEO Wim Vanhelleputte has been at the helm of this growth, bringing with him decades of experience leading telecom expansions across the continent.
Since taking the reins, Vanhelleputte has steered Safaricom Ethiopia with a clear strategic focus, blending infrastructure investment, local empowerment, and digital inclusion to drive both business success and national development.
In just four years, Safaricom Ethiopia has invested over 300 billion Ethiopian Birr around USD 2.2 billion into telecom and digital infrastructure.
This includes the deployment of over 3,141 live mobile sites across more than 150 towns and cities, achieving 4G coverage for more than 55% of the population.
The impact has been far-reaching, bringing reliable mobile service to regions that previously lacked connectivity and significantly boosting access to digital services.
Today, the company has 7.1 million active mobile data users, each consuming an average of 6.5GB per month.
This growing demand highlights Ethiopia’s increasing digital appetite and reflects a broader shift in the country’s economic activity towards online platforms, e-commerce, and mobile-enabled services.
But Safaricom Ethiopia’s impact goes beyond technology. The company has embedded itself in the social and economic fabric of the country by creating more than 20,000 indirect jobs and employing over 900 staff 97% of whom are Ethiopian.
This focus on localization has been crucial for both operational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
The company’s commitment to social impact is also evident in its philanthropic contributions. Safaricom Ethiopia has invested 120 million ETB in community-based initiatives, from supplying laptops and internet to schools, to supporting emergency relief efforts.
In parallel, it has dedicated over 530 million ETB to programs aimed at equipping young Ethiopians with digital skills, helping to prepare a future workforce that is ready for the demands of a digital economy.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy that ties business growth to national priorities. Safaricom Ethiopia has aligned its operations with the government’s vision for a digitally inclusive economy one where connectivity is seen not just as a utility, but as a catalyst for opportunity, innovation, and socio-economic transformation.
Vanhelleputte’s leadership has been instrumental in this progress. Known for his pragmatic, people-first approach, he has built a team and culture focused not only on performance but also on purpose.
Under his guidance, Safaricom Ethiopia has become more than a new entrant in the telecom sector it has become a force for systemic change.
With its 10 million milestone, Safaricom Ethiopia is setting a new standard for what telecom operators can achieve in emerging markets.
It stands as a clear example of how large-scale investment, local engagement, and inclusive leadership can accelerate digital growth in Africa, transforming lives and livelihoods in the process.
