APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopian authorities have announced that they have finalised preparations to award second telecommunications license before the end of this fiscal year.
Director General of the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) Balcha Reba said all necessary preparations for the issuance of the second license tender process have been completed.
On 30 June, 2023, the authority issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) with a submission deadline set for 15 September, 2023.
Reba revealed that once the authority has received the submissions from the bidders, it will proceed to the second phase of the licensing process, which is the request for proposal. The Director General told reporters that this process may take approximately two to three months, leading to the potential issuance of the third license in either November or December.
The renowned French telecommunications giant Orange has expressed interest in bidding for a minority stake in the Ethiopian telecom market. In June 2023, Alioune Ndiaye, Orange’s Africa CEO, visited Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Abeba, for discussions with government officials.
Alongside Orange , E&, UAE largest telecom operator is also considering a bid for a 45% stake in Ethio Telecom. The government reinstated the tendering process in November, inviting international telecom operators to demonstrate their interest in the partial privatization of the state-owned Ethio Telecom.
Safaricom Ethiopia emerged as the winner of one of the two licenses made available to private telecommunication operators in May 2021, offering $850 million and committing to invest $8.5 billion over ten years. Safaricom Ethiopia also became the second operator to offer mobile money services after receiving a license in May 2023.
MG/as/APA