Just four years after receiving its licence to operate, Safaricom Ethiopia has reached a milestone that speaks volumes about what’s possible when brilliant people, smart investment and genuine community commitment come together: 10 million active customers across the nation.

Connecting people to possibilities

The numbers tell an impressive story of growth and investment. Over the past four years, Safaricom Ethiopia has channelled 300 billion Ethiopian birr (about $2.2 billion) into building world-class telecommunications infrastructure. Today, its fast 4G network covers more than half of Ethiopia’s population through 3 141 live sites deployed across more than 150 towns and cities.

But the story isn’t just about towers and technology – it’s about momentum. Every day, an average of 31 000 new customers join the network, while existing users are consuming 6.5GB of data per month – that’s a 53% increase from the previous year. 

These numbers represent millions of Ethiopians gaining access to opportunities, education, healthcare and connections that were previously out of reach.

As CEO Wim Vanhelleputte puts it: “Behind each SIM card there is an individual, a family, a business and a future.”

The people behind the progress

This remarkable growth is powered by people. Safaricom Ethiopia employs 900 direct staff, and 97% of them are Ethiopian. Beyond the direct employees, another 20 000 people work indirectly through SIM-selling brand ambassadors, distribution partners and subcontractors – creating an operation that’s genuinely embedded in the communities it serves. 

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This people-first approach was on full display during Safaricom’s recent Market Storm campaigns across Addis Ababa. Rather than celebrating the 10 million milestone from a boardroom, the team – led by CEO Wim himself – hit the streets. They visited key markets and retail shops, gathering feedback directly from customers and brand ambassadors at places like Merkato, Ethiopia’s largest marketplace.

“Our growth is driven by the trust and support of our customers,” Wim said after these market visits, “and we remain committed to providing high-quality, reliable services that meet their evolving needs.” 

Beyond business: building community

The commitment to serving customers extends far beyond traditional telecommunications. The team has woven social impact into their operations. For example, Safaricom has allocated more than 100 million ETB to support schools through donations of laptops, routers and free internet access across the country.

When disasters struck – fires in Ashewa, landslides in Gofa Zone, earthquakes in Afar – the team was there, providing practical assistance to affected communities. The company has contributed 10 million ETB to the Mekedonia Humanitarian Association, demonstrating that their commitment to Ethiopia extends far beyond connectivity. 

Foundation for a better future

The business has now formalised its community-focused approach with the establishment of the Safaricom Ethiopia Foundation, which will focus on five priority areas:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Digital inclusion
  • Economic empowerment
  • Emergency response.

The numbers here are equally impressive: the team has already invested over 110 million ETB directly into programmes and mobilised 540 million ETB from international partners to support youth digital skills development projects.

“We believe in the power of technology guided by empathy,” said a Safaricom Ethiopia representative. “The Foundation allows us to deepen our impact, ensuring that digital advancement benefits all Ethiopians.”

The Foundation represents the scaling up of efforts that have been ongoing since day one – from supporting schools with free internet and devices to enabling rural farmers and women to access finance through M-PESA. 

Celebrating our partnerships

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In July, Safaricom hosted an exclusive dinner celebrating the shareholders, government leaders, technology providers, vendors and community champions who’ve been instrumental in this four-year journey since Ethiopia’s telecom liberalisation.

The evening featured award presentations recognising outstanding partners across infrastructure, technology, marketing, finance and community outreach. Video showcases captured the rapid network roll-out, a groundbreaking drone light show, community impact programmes, and the formation of the Safaricom Ethiopia Foundation.

Looking forward together

As we celebrate this #10MillionStrong milestone, it’s clear that our Ethiopian colleagues have achieved something special. They’ve built more than a network – they’ve built trust, created opportunities and shown what’s possible when technology is guided by empathy and genuine commitment to community.

This milestone of 10 million customers reflects the trust of the Ethiopian people, the collaboration of government and partners, and the dedication of thousands of individuals countrywide working towards a shared digital future.

With strong foundations now in place and a clear mandate to be a reliable, inclusive and impactful partner in Ethiopia’s digital journey, the next chapter promises to be even more exciting. Together, we’re not just connecting Ethiopia – we’re building a more connected, inclusive and prosperous future for all.