South African MTN and Vodacom interested in “attractive” Ethiopia
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s Vodacom Group and MTN are interested in the Ethiopian telecoms market. South Africa’s duo telecommunication companies both expressed interest in the Ethiopian market, a day after the East African country opened its state-run telecoms monopoly.
“Vodacom has said on many occasions that Ethiopia is an attractive market so it follows that there would be interest. Naturally, this is dependent on what might become available and if it fits within our investment parameters,” Vodacom’s spokesman said in response to emailed questions.
South Africa’s MTN Group said on Wednesday it was excited by the potential opening up of the Ethiopian market “as it would be a natural fit for MTN’s existing pan African footprint”.
Ethiopia said on Tuesday it would open its state-run telecoms monopoly and state-owned Ethiopian Airlines to private domestic and foreign investment, a major policy shift that will loosen the state’s grip on the economy.