Issue 84- Teleco, VPN & Google Bard

Welcome to our latest newsletter, where we bring you the most recent and exciting updates in the Ethiopian innovation landscape.

In this edition, discover Orange’s interest in the Ethiopian telecom market, Google’s Bard AI chatbot expansion into Ethiopia, Safaricom’s investment plans for the country, the challenges of VPN usage in digital marketing, and more.

But, first, let’s take a closer look at GITEX Africa 2023, the continent’s largest tech event set to shape the future of the digital economy. Scheduled for May to June 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco, this three-day annual forum will feature over 125 government delegations, 20,000 trade buyers, 500 exhibitors, 250 speakers, and 400 startups from more than 95 countries. The event will showcase emerging technologies in fintech, e-commerce, cloud, IoT, AI, telecom, and cybersecurity. Find more about GITEX Africa.

Orange Eyes Ethiopian Telecom Market

Jerome Henique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, met with Eyob Tekalign, State Minister of Finance, last week to discuss investment opportunities in the telecom sector and potential collaboration.

During the meeting, Henique expressed Orange’s interest in the Ethiopian market and the wider region, citing the company’s successful track record of investments in the African telecom market. Read more.

Google’s Bard AI Chatbot Now Available in Ethiopia

Tech giant Google has announced the expansion of its AI chatbot Bard to over 180 countries, including Ethiopia. Read more.

Safaricom to Invest Over $300 Million in Ethiopia Operations in First Year of M-Pesa Rollout

Safaricom has announced its plans to invest $300 to $350 million in its Ethiopia operations for the financial year 2024 (FY24), which will include the launch of its mobile money platform, M-Pesa. Read more.

Navigating the VPN Maze in Ethiopia for Digital Marketing: When Will the Struggle End?

The widespread use of VPNs in Ethiopia has created challenges for digital marketers, complicating the process of running ads on social media platforms. To overcome these obstacles, digital marketers must explore alternative strategies and be aware of the risks and consequences associated with VPN usage. Read more.

Jamii.one Secures €150,000 Grant to Expand Affordable Insurance Access in Ethiopia

Jamii.one, a Danish social enterprise that offers a platform to transform data into financial opportunities for traditional savings communities in Ethiopia, has received a €150,000 grant from the Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF) to scale its mission of providing affordable insurance products to Ethiopians. Read more.

Safaricom Ethiopia’s “Terek Begursha” Lucky Draw Sees First Grand Prize Winner

Safaricom Ethiopia has awarded the first grand prize winner of a car and multiple other prizes in its Terek Begursha national promotion. The campaign, which began on April 5th, 2023, has already awarded daily airtime prizes to 400,000 customers and plans to award five Bajajs, five motorcycles, two cars, multiple devices, and airtime over the next seven weeks. Read more