Safaricom Ethiopia CEO outlines digital vision at ARDA Talk hosted by Institute of Foreign Affairs
Date: 2025-12-31
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Chief Executive Officer of Safaricom Ethiopia, Wim Vanhelleputte, has outlined
the company’s long-term vision for Ethiopia’s digital transformation during his
participation in the ARDA Talk Series organized by the Institute of Foreign
Affairs (IFA), Ethiopia.
The
session, held under the theme “Building Ethiopia’s Digital Future: Safaricom
Ethiopia’s Role in Inclusive Connectivity,” brought together policymakers,
diplomats, and stakeholders to examine the role of telecommunications in
supporting Ethiopia’s digital economy. Vanhelleputte engaged participants
through a presentation and an interactive question-and-answer session.
He
disclosed that Safaricom has invested approximately USD 3 billion in Ethiopia
since commencing operations in October 2022, with plans to significantly
increase this investment in the coming years. He pointed to Ethiopia’s strong
growth potential within the telecommunications sector, supported by ongoing
liberalization and improvements in the regulatory environment.
Vanhelleputte
also highlighted Safaricom Ethiopia’s contribution to job creation and local
talent development, noting the company’s expanding operational footprint across
the country. He emphasized the importance of infrastructure expansion, access
to green energy, and digital inclusion as critical enablers of sustainable
digital growth.
Reaffirming
Safaricom’s commitment to Ethiopia, Vanhelleputte stated that the company aims
to serve as an ambassador for the country’s digital transformation by
strengthening core digital building blocks, including network infrastructure,
digital payments, digital platforms, and digital literacy initiatives.
