Ethiopia’s privatisation programme attracts African telecom operators

Following the selection of Ethio Telecom as the first of four state corporations to be privatised, Pan African Telecommunications (MTN), Orange, and Vodacom are among its potential buyers.

Haji Ebsa, Director of the Ministry of Finance Communications, said that partial privatisation will be preferred as the best approach for the process, with a majority of the stakes owned by the state and shares sold to investors.

The privatisation is part of reforms headed by Prime Minister Abby Ahmed, to liberalise the economy and privatise state corporations, in order to stimulate economic growth through foreign investment.