Ethio telecom, ZTE Finalize Network Expansion and Modernization Agreement

Addis Ababa, March 9, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s state-owned telecommunications operator Ethio telecom and Chinese technology company ZTE Corporation have finalized a major network expansion and modernization agreement aimed at strengthening connectivity and expanding digital inclusion across Ethiopia.

The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, where Ethio telecom Chief Executive Officer Frehiwot Tamru and the company’s executive leadership held strategic discussions with senior executives of ZTE, Ethio telecom said in a statement sent to FMC today.

According to the company, the initiative will cover 647 network sites, including 115 rural sites, under the ZTE operational circle, with the goal of strengthening nationwide connectivity and expanding access to digital services.

Upon completion, the program is expected to enhance network capacity, coverage, and service quality, while increasing 4G population coverage to 95.5 percent, enabling more citizens, communities, and businesses to access reliable high-speed connectivity.

Ethio telecom stated that the project will also contribute to expanding advanced mobile broadband services to rural and underserved areas, supporting broader digital inclusion efforts.

The agreement follows negotiations between Ethio telecom’s leadership and ZTE’s senior management, during which the two sides also held discussions on advancing Ethio telecom’s corporate strategy, “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028.”

According to the company, the initiative further strengthens the long-standing partnership between Ethio telecom and ZTE and is expected to support Ethiopia’s digital transformation efforts by expanding high-speed connectivity and enabling wider access to digital services nationwide.