Safaricom Ethiopia hosts UK Foreign Secretary during official visit to Ethiopia
Date: 2026-02-01
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Safaricom
Ethiopia Telecommunications PLC has hosted the United Kingdom’s Secretary of
State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Rt Hon Yvette Cooper,
during her official visit to Ethiopia, accompanied by the British Ambassador to
Ethiopia, Darren Welch.
The
visit highlighted Safaricom Ethiopia’s status as one of the most significant
British-linked investments in the country, with British International
Investment and Vodafone among the key shareholders in the Safaricom Ethiopia
consortium.
During
the engagement, Safaricom Ethiopia Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte,
briefed the delegation on the company’s growth trajectory, ongoing expansion of
its network infrastructure, and its contribution to advancing connectivity and
digital inclusion across Ethiopia.
The
meeting also brought together representatives of other British companies
operating in Ethiopia, including Lovegrass Ethiopia and Unilever, reflecting
the role of long-term and responsible foreign investment in building
sustainable enterprises and creating economic opportunities within the
Ethiopian market.
