The Government of Ethiopia, which has been on the process of privatizing telecom and opening the sector for competition, has said there will be only three competing telecom operators in the country. Briefing reporters this afternoon, Dr. Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance, indicated that in addition to Ethio Telcom, which is set to sell 49 percent of its stake for foreign operator (s), two additional foreign telecom operators will only be granted license. Ethio telecom will be one company with two wings – service provider and infrastructure developer. A foreign company which buys 49 percent can benefit from both wings of Ethio Telecom, as the company remains one. Infrastructure investment on telecom infrastructures is open for foreign telecom companies, according to Dr. Eyob , who stated that the sector requires huge investment amounting $2.2 billion in order to leapfrog the country into digital economy.

Source: Ethiopian News July 05, 2019 14:04 UTC