The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) has published a request for proposals for its second new full-service telecommunications licence in Ethiopia. The country is inviting both international and national telecommunications companies to take part in the sealed bidding process.
The ECA said in a statement that the second licence (Licence B) is due to be issued in January 2022, introducing a third telecoms operator to compete alongside Ethio Telecom and the Global Partnership for Ethiopia (Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia) and help boost the digital transformation in the country.
Since winning the first licence (Licence A) in June, the Global Partnership for Ethiopia has established its local headquarters in Addis Ababa and is preparing to launch its services to the Ethiopian people in 2022. The industry regulator said the second licence will include mobile financial services and additional spectrum allocation and will have revised pre-qualification criteria to include participation from a wide range of international and national telecommunications operators.
Bidders have until 20 December to respond to the RFP, which includes investment considerations, tender regulations, and full details of the licence to be awarded. The final selection will be announced following a thorough evaluation of the proposals according to the pre-defined criteria, and the Licence B will be granted to the winning applicant, in accordance with the Communications Services Proclamation of Ethiopia. In order to obtain the RFP, an interested party shall be required to pay a non-refundable fee of USD 7,500.
