Ethio Telecom Extends Digital Access to 1.53 Million People in Rural Ethiopia
The network expansion brought connectivity to 117 woredas and 492 kebeles and villages, giving residents improved access to mobile communications, digital platforms and financial services.
Ethio Telecom has strengthened rural connectivity across Ethiopia as part of the first year of its Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 Strategy, extending mobile and digital services to more than 1.53 million people living in underserved communities.
During the fiscal year, the operator deployed 195 new rural mobile sites, targeting some of the country’s most remote areas. The new sites serve communities located an average of 14.3 kilometres from the nearest town and 10.6 kilometres from the nearest existing mobile site, reflecting the company’s focus on closing the digital divide.
The network expansion brought connectivity to 117 woredas and 492 kebeles and villages, giving residents improved access to mobile communications, digital platforms and financial services.
To address limited access to electricity in rural areas, Ethio Telecom also deployed 22 additional Rural Solution sites designed for communities that are not connected to the national power grid. The company further expanded its renewable energy infrastructure by increasing its installed solar power capacity from 27 MW to 39.72 MW, adding 12.72 MW within a year. The investment is expected to improve network resilience, reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and support the operator’s sustainability objectives.
As part of its efforts to improve digital financial inclusion, Ethio Telecom onboarded 812 new agents across 17 regions through its Rural Agent Project. The initiative achieved a 58% active-agent rate, helping extend telebirr and other digital financial services to communities with limited access to financial infrastructure.
The operator also advanced the fibreisation of rural wireless sites to strengthen network capacity, improve service reliability and prepare rural communities for increasing digital demand.
The rural connectivity programme forms part of Ethio Telecom’s broader Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 Strategy, which focuses on building resilient, sustainable and scalable digital infrastructure while expanding access to connectivity and digital services across Ethiopia.
