Safaricom inks deal with Ethiopian Electric Power

Kenya’s major telecom operator Safaricom has inked a 5-year infrastructure lease agreement with Ethiopian Electric Power as part of its plans to commence full-scale operations in the Horn of Africa soon.

According to Business Insider Africa, this is Safaricom’s first infrastructure deal in Ethiopia. Mr Anwar Soussa, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, and Mr Ashebir Balcha, CEO of Ethiopian Electric Power, inked the agreement over the weekend.

Safaricom will now share dark fibre optic infrastructure with the state-owned power utility firm as a result of this deal. Mr Soussa thanked Ethiopia for its desire to engage in this area, promising that it would be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

“Such infrastructure sharing agreements will enable us to fulfil our commitment to transform Ethiopian lives for a digital future and contribute to efforts being made to the phased operation launch,” local media quoted Mr Soussa to have said.