Safaricom Ethiopia and UNFPA partner to expand digital access for women and youth
Date: 2025-12-04
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
Safaricom
Ethiopia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) to enhance access to lifesaving health information,
support for survivors of gender-based violence, and digital pathways to
empowerment for women and young people in Ethiopia. The signing took place in
the presence of H.E. Mr. Shibata Hironori, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia.
The
agreement was formalized by Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, and
Mr. Koffi Kouame of UNFPA. The partnership will leverage telecommunications and
digital financial services to improve access to essential services and promote
financial inclusion, particularly for underserved communities.
As
part of the launch, 400 mobile phones funded by the Government of Japan were
distributed to women who completed livelihood and skills training programs in
the Amhara and Tigray regions, in collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation. The
initiative is part of a USD 1.5 million project aimed at supporting women and
girls affected by conflict and natural disasters.
Safaricom
Ethiopia also contributed an in-kind bulk SMS service to help UNFPA reach women
and girls with critical information and services.
