In a search for a third operator, the consideration of potential candidates has resumed under the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA).
Balcha Reba, ECA director general, announced, “ECA has now resumed the licensing process for a third license, or the second new full-service nationwide telecommunications license.” He also noted that they have asked various international consulting firms to help evaluate the potential candidates.
Following the entry of Safaricom from Kenya last October, there have been talks about licensing to a third operator. According to Statista, within a month of entering the market, Safaricom Ethiopia had one million customers and challenged Ethio Telecom, the market leader with over 54 million subscribers.
Meanwhile, Ethio Telecom resumed the process of selling a 40% stake in the company last November.
With over 118 million people, Ethiopia is one of the continent's largest mobile markets.
Last month, Ethiopia threatened legal action against Safaricom after allegations that the newcomer had damaged infrastructure in the Afar region and caused severe power outages as a result.
