Ethio Telecom has recorded 215.8 billion Ethiopian Birr in revenue for the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year, achieving 99.7% of its annual performance target. The state-owned telecommunications provider reported a 33.2% growth compared to the previous fiscal year, driven by strategic efforts to diversify income streams and expand network infrastructure across the country.
Chief Executive Officer Frehiwot Tamiru announced the performance figures during a media briefing today, outlining the company’s operational milestones. She highlighted that the subscriber base has grown to 90.1 million, surpassing initial projections by 101.7%. The customer demographics include 86.9 million voice service users, 51.5 million mobile broadband subscribers, and 1 million fixed broadband customers.
To support this growth, Ethio Telecom expanded its mobile network infrastructure, bringing the total number of mobile towers to over 10,000. Expansion efforts focused heavily on advanced data services, extending 4G coverage to 264 cities. Furthermore, 5G network coverage was deployed to seven additional cities during the period, raising the total number of 5G-enabled towns to 33 and providing high-speed capability for up to 10.2 million customers.
The company introduced 470 products and services throughout the fiscal year, of which 193 were entirely new offerings. Alongside product launches, Ethio Telecom initiated a targeted “Customer Education” campaign designed to assist subscribers in navigating and optimizing their use of new digital tools and telecommunication services.
Looking ahead, Ethio Telecom aims to sustain its growth trajectory by further modernizing infrastructure and enhancing service quality. While the strong financial figures reflect rapid expansion and increased digital adoption, the enterprise continues to navigate market competition and shifting economic conditions as Ethiopia’s broader telecommunications sector opens to further private investment.