Ethiopia Plans Privatisation of Monopoly Network

The Ethiopian government has invited tenders to take part in the planned privatisation of its national landline and mobile phone network monopoly, Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation (ETC). The Ethiopian Privatisation Agency (EPA) is offering a 30% stake in the company and interested parties have until September 30th to submit their bids.

"Potential strategic partners are encouraged to pre-qualify either individually or as part of a consortia," the Ethiopian Privatisation Agency (EPA) said in a statement. There does not appear to be any requirement on a foreign investor being forced into joining a local consortium, so they could bid on their own.

The EPA has put a valuation on the whole company, which has about 350,000 landline customers and 43,000 mobile users, of US$300 million. The company has an ongoing investment program to expand its landline capacity to 800,000 (1% penetration) by 2005.'"

Posted to the site on 23rd August 2002