Ethio telecom Shareholders Cleared to Begin Trading on Ethiopian Securities Exchange
Ethio telecom stated that shareholders wishing to trade their shares must first open trading accounts through licensed investment banks or brokerage firms authorised by the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority.
Ethio telecom has announced that its shareholders are now officially cleared to begin trading shares on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), marking a major milestone in the country’s ongoing capital market reforms and digital economy ambitions.
The development follows Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform agenda, which introduced policy and legal changes aimed at creating sustainable and inclusive economic growth. One of the key reforms was the establishment of the Ethiopian Capital Market to allow citizens to own stakes in state-owned enterprises. As part of this process, Ethio telecom transitioned from a public enterprise into a share company under Ethiopia’s Commercial Code and the directives of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority.
The telecom operator previously announced the successful sale of 10.7 million ordinary shares to 47,377 Ethiopian citizens after offering a 10 percent ownership stake to the public. Over the past several months, the company has been conducting shareholder verification exercises, including Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and data validation, to formally confirm ownership and prepare investors for participation in the stock market.
According to the company, 45,366 shareholders — representing 95.8 percent of investors — have successfully completed the ownership verification and digitisation process. These verified investors collectively hold 10.1 million shares valued at approximately 3.04 billion Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Following approval from the Capital Market Authority and registration with the Central Securities Depository (CSD), shareholders are now able to buy, sell, and transfer shares through the Ethiopian Securities Exchange.
Ethio telecom stated that shareholders wishing to trade their shares must first open trading accounts through licensed investment banks or brokerage firms authorised by the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority. The company added that ownership rights for shareholders who completed the dematerialisation process will now be fully recognised and protected under the current budget year.
The company also disclosed plans to release its fiscal year performance summary and audited financial report to shareholders and customers. In addition, Ethio telecom said it will convene its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the upcoming budget year, where dividend distribution plans and other strategic decisions will be discussed and approved.
Meanwhile, the telecom giant urged 1,646 shareholders with incomplete national identification details to complete their verification process as soon as possible. The company also revealed that 248 foreign nationals who purchased shares — amounting to 105,000 shares — were found ineligible under existing regulations, and their payments will be refunded after verification.
Ethio telecom described the public share sale as a historic step toward strengthening Ethiopia’s capital market system and expanding citizen participation in wealth creation. The company said the commencement of secondary market trading represents a significant achievement in opening opportunities for Ethiopians to actively participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
