Safaricom Ethiopia showcases growth during Sumitomo Corporation leadership visit

Safaricom Ethiopia has welcomed a high-level delegation led by Sumitomo Corporation President Shingo Ueno to its headquarters, showcasing the telecom operator's rapid progress in advancing Ethiopia's digital transformation. The visit reinforced the strategic partnership between the two organizations as Safaricom continues to expand its footprint across Africa's second-most populous nation. 

During the engagement, Safaricom Ethiopia CEO Wim Vanhelleputte and Safaricom Group CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa provided detailed updates on the company's operational milestones since its Ethiopian market entry. Key highlights included accelerated network infrastructure deployment, strong subscriber acquisition rates, and growing adoption of M-Pesa mobile money services – all contributing to Ethiopia's evolving digital economy. 

"We're building more than a telecom company – we're creating an ecosystem that connects Ethiopians to financial services, healthcare, and education through digital platforms," stated Vanhelleputte during the executive briefing. The leadership team emphasized how Safaricom's investments align with Ethiopia's Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, particularly in driving financial inclusion through mobile technology. 

Sumitomo Corporation's Ueno expressed confidence in Safaricom Ethiopia's trajectory, noting the company's "unique ability to adapt Kenya's mobile innovation success to Ethiopia's distinct market needs." The Japanese conglomerate, a key shareholder in Safaricom's Ethiopian venture, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting infrastructure development and service innovation. 

The visit comes as Safaricom Ethiopia reports exceeding its first-year network coverage targets, now serving over 40 cities with 4G services. The company's M-Pesa platform has processed transactions worth billions of birr since its launch, rapidly becoming a catalyst for digital payments adoption. 

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye