Safaricom Ethiopia is taking a big step towards local sourcing by incorporating telecom towers manufactured in Ethiopia into its network expansion plans. The company has partnered with Woda Metals, the nation's first producer of telecom towers.

On Friday, Safaricom received the first batch of 13 towers from a total order of 68. "This is a historic moment for us," said Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, highlighting the shift towards local manufacturing for infrastructure.

The new towers are expected to improve network quality and contribute to Safaricom's user base growth, currently at 4.4 million. "We're impressed by Woda's quality and cost-effectiveness," Vanhelleputte added, stating these factors will aid in efficient network expansion.

By the end of 2023, Safaricom Ethiopia had established a network of 2,242 base stations, covering 33% of the population. The company's focus, as outlined in its latest financial results, is to enhance connectivity alongside network growth.

"We're honored to be the first local supplier of telecom towers to Safaricom Ethiopia," commented Steven Cui, CEO of Woda Metals. This partnership signifies a positive step towards supporting domestic manufacturing within Ethiopia's telecom industry.

Source (including image): IT Web