Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s state-owned telecommunications provider, and Mastercard have announced a partnership to expand digital financial services in the country.

In a recent meeting, Ethio Telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamru, and Mark Elliott, President of Mastercard Africa, discussed ways to integrate technology and improve financial inclusion.

The collaboration will focus on linking Ethio Telecom’s telebirr mobile money platform with Mastercard’s payment network to provide digital financial services.

The aim is to improve access to financial tools, support economic growth, and enhance Ethiopia’s role in the digital economy.

Frehiwot Tamru stated that Ethio Telecom’s infrastructure and customer base would help advance digital financial solutions.

“Our partnership with Mastercard is a step towards providing more opportunities for our customers while supporting financial inclusion and digital development in Ethiopia,”

she said.

Mark Elliott noted the growth of telebirr and its potential to increase digital payments.

“We are pleased to work with Ethio Telecom to expand digital payment options and contribute to a more inclusive financial system. This aligns with Mastercard’s goal of supporting digital economies and communities,”

he said.

Both organisations have committed to moving forward with the partnership, with plans to introduce new services and improve user access to digital financial tools.

Featured image credit: Ethio Telecom