The liberalisation of Ethiopia’s telecoms sector could see three operators active in the market by April 2020.
Addis Fortune reports that the new regulator The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has begun a public consultation to allow possible bidders to provide feedback on legislation that would enable new market entrants. Interested parties have until 22nd November to offer submissions.
In addition, the ECA has scheduled a forum on 12th November to detail its plans for the liberalisation of the market to potential newcomers, reports Reuters. The regulator’s director general Balcha Reba said that if the current plans are adhered to, licences should be granted by March 2020. Reba added “We expect the country to have three telecom operators starting from April.”
State incumbent Ethio Telecom has long held a monopoly in the market, but in June this year Ethiopia’s parliament passed “The Proclamation for the Regulation of Communications Services” in order to open the market up to competitors. The act also enabled the creation of an independent regulator, resulting in the ECA being established in September.
