The Government of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has issued today Invitation for Expression of
Interest for the partial privatization of Ethio Telecom and Kicks of
stakeholder consultation process for the third telecommunications operating
license.
During the briefing on the
invitation for expression of interest, H.E Ato Ahmed Shide, Minister of
Finance, noted that after a careful consideration of the market conditions and
a very stable outlook of the country, the government is now ready to engage
with prospective bidders to partially privatize 40% of Ethio Telecom’s share.
Moreover, Ato Ahmed explained that
the government is reinitiating the process with the launching of the Expression
of Interest that will permit interested companies to express their interest.
The government will be supported in this transaction by Deloitte Consulting
Ltd, which will be the transaction advisor representing the government.
In the same briefing, H.E Dr. Eyob
Tekalign, State Minister of Minister of Finance, on his part stated that
this partial privatization of Ethio Telecom and initiation of the
stakeholder consultation process for the third telecommunication operating
license are part of the government’s Telecom sector transformation plan which
is intended to create world class telecom industry and enhance the country
digital economy.
H.E. Ato Balcha Reba, General
Director of Ethiopian communication Authority, in the same event noted that the
stakeholder consultation process for the third telecommunications operating
license will last for a month and all interested bidders can join the
consultation process.