At Ethiopia’s 7th Annual Loyal Taxpayers Recognition Ceremony, Ethio telecom received the Platinum Loyal Taxpayer Award, reaffirming its position as the country’s leading taxpayer for the fifth consecutive year. The recognition highlights the telecom giant’s payment of ETB 37.5 billion in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year and its cumulative contribution of over ETB 157.5 billion to the national treasury over the past seven years.
The ceremony, inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018, celebrates individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional compliance and contribution to Ethiopia’s tax system. In the latest edition, 700 taxpayers were honored across three categories—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—collectively contributing around ETB 900.22 billion to national revenue.
Ethio telecom’s recognition underscores the rising prominence of telecom and technology enterprises as major fiscal contributors across Africa.
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Traditionally, the continent’s tax leaderboard was dominated by banking, construction, and commodities. Today, digital infrastructure providers like Ethio telecom are at the forefront of both economic transformation and fiscal sustainability, driving digital inclusion, innovation, and formalization of the broader economy.
Over the past fiscal year, Ethio telecom’s growth was fueled by large-scale infrastructure expansions, the rollout of new digital solutions, and revenue growth aligned with an expanding customer base. The company also continues to play a central role in advancing Ethiopia’s national digital agenda, particularly through its Digital and Beyond 2028 strategy, which focuses on leveraging connectivity to foster nationwide digital excellence and cross-sector innovation.
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During the ceremony, the Ministry of Revenue and Customs Commission also launched several key digital systems designed to modernize tax and customs administration, including the Electronic Receipts Administration System, Electronic Clearance System, Electronic Customs Management System, and Electronic Cargo Tracking System—initiatives that further signal the country’s digital governance progress.
As the African continent accelerates its digital transformation journey, Ethiopia’s case exemplifies how telecom-led economies are becoming new fiscal and developmental anchors. The sector’s growth has far-reaching implications, from supporting domestic revenue mobilization to catalyzing regional innovation ecosystems, positioning Africa’s telecom and tech industries as engines of economic modernization and global competitiveness.
