Following a strategic meeting on October 17 in Addis Ababa, the two state-owned operators announced an expanded partnership covering key areas such as international gateways, interconnectivity, mobile money, enterprise solutions, and roaming services.
The partnership also continues to advance the tripartite Horizon Fiber Initiative, a project led by Sudatel Telecom, which seeks to enhance regional fibre optic infrastructure and improve network resilience across East Africa. This joint effort aims to create a more robust and interconnected digital environment in the Horn of Africa.
For Ethio Telecom, this cooperation aligns with its “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028” strategic roadmap, focusing on innovation, digital inclusion, and sustainable growth. The operator reported surpassing 78 million subscribers in 2024, with its mobile payment platform, Telebirr, serving over 54.8 million users and processing an impressive annual transaction volume of approximately $15.95 billion, thereby contributing significantly to Ethiopia’s digital economy and financial inclusion.
Djibouti Telecom is leveraging this partnership to support its national strategy of transforming Djibouti into a regional digital hub. Already interconnected to more than 13 international submarine cables, Djibouti is positioning itself as a critical gateway linking Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Recent infrastructure upgrades, including expanding data centre capacity, aim to attract more regional partners and facilitate increased international traffic.
If Ethio Telecom and Djibouti Telecom successfully implement their expanded initiatives, their alliance could significantly accelerate the development of a regional digital backbone, reduce connectivity costs, and bolster digital sovereignty in the Horn of Africa. This strengthened cooperation positions both operators as key players in Africa’s ongoing digital transformation, fostering a more integrated, resilient, and competitive digital landscape across the continent.
