Safaricom Ethiopia boosts network with local telecom towers manufacturer Woda Metals, to utilise locally produced telecom towers in its network expansion plans. This is geared towards strengthening its network infrastructure in Ethiopia.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies. Safaricom Ethiopia has already received the first 13 of the 68 high-quality towers it purchased from Woda Metals, signifying the first such purchase from a local Ethiopian manufacturer.

Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, is enthusiastic about the partnership’s potential. He emphasises the positive ripple effects of localising infrastructure production.

The quality and cost-effectiveness of Woda Metals’ towers, coupled with their position as the largest galvanization plant in East Africa, are seen as key factors in enabling Safaricom Ethiopia’s network expansion in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.

This translates to improved network quality for existing users currently at 4.4 million and potentially faster growth in their subscriber base.

Steven Cui, CEO of Woda Metals, shares the excitement. His company takes pride in being the first Ethiopian manufacturer to supply telecom towers to Safaricom Ethiopia.

This collaboration represents a significant achievement for Woda Metals, showcasing their capabilities in the telecommunications sector and potentially paving the way for future growth and partnerships.

Safaricom Ethiopia (STE) is a subsidiary of the Kenyan mobile operator Safaricom, offering a range of telecommunication services in Ethiopia.

Getting Started:

SIM Cards: Purchase a Safaricom Ethiopia SIM card for just 30 Birr at any branded shop or souk. You can recharge airtime by dialing 705*PIN number# and check your balance by dialing *704#.

Making Calls:

Local Calls: Enjoy the convenience of using your Safaricom Ethiopia number to make calls within Ethiopia.
International Roaming: Stay connected with loved ones abroad! Safaricom Ethiopia offers roaming services, allowing you to use your local number for international calls.

Financial Services with M-PESA:

Mobile Money Made Easy: All you need is a mobile device to use M-PESA Ethiopia’s services. Simply dial *733# to explore the available options.

Safaricom SIM Specificity: Safaricom SIM cards are designed for their respective countries. A Kenyan Safaricom SIM card will not work in Ethiopia, and vice versa.

Additional Services:

Package Subscriptions: Subscribe to various packages through USSD number *777# or other future portals offered by Safaricom Ethiopia. Activation confirmation will be received via SMS.
Postpaid Activation: For PostPay subscribers, dial 200 to activate roaming on your line, or use USSD by dialling *200# and selecting “Products and Services.”

M-PESA International Payments For Kenyan Residents:

If you have a Kenyan Safaricom M-PESA account, you can still send international payments:

Dial *840# on your Kenyan phone.
Accept the terms and conditions.
Select “Send money abroad.”
Follow the prompts to enter recipient details and payment information.

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The Safaricom Ethiopia and Woda Metals partnership signifies a positive step not only for both companies but also for Ethiopia’s telecommunications infrastructure as a whole.

Locally produced towers can contribute to faster network expansion, improved service quality, and potentially even lower costs for consumers.

This collaboration holds promise for a more robust and accessible telecommunications landscape in Ethiopia, benefiting both businesses and individuals across the nation.