\tThe Ethiopian government could cede majority control of its telecoms monopoly once it has completed an initial phase of privatisation in 2020, reported Bloomberg.<\/p>\n
In an interview with the publication, Balcha Reba, director general at the Ethiopian Communications Authority, said the government could release additional shares after concluding a sale of a 49 per cent stake in the operator, which is expected to happen in 2020.<\/p>\n
However, Reba added the market would have to become more competitive and mature before an additional sale could be considered.<\/p>\n
Ethiopia\u2019s telecoms sector is set to undergo a major shake-up [1] in 2020. On top of the privatisation plan, the government will also split the operator into two businesses, separating services and retail from its mobile and fixed network infrastructure assets.<\/p>\n
The country is also set to break Ethio Telecom\u2019s monopoly by issuing two mobile operating licences in March 2020.<\/p>\n
In the interview, Reba indicated the market could be opened up further, with the sale of more licences in the long-term.<\/p>\n
This is likely welcome news for Orange, Vodacom and MTN, which have [2] all indicated they would be interested in entering Ethiopia, one of the last major markets on the continent that is currently closed off to international operators.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/ethiopia-to-issue-new-mobile-licences-in-2020\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/mtn-chief-outlines-ethiopia-ambition\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Ethiopian government could cede majority control of its telecoms monopoly once it has completed …<\/p>\n
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