Ethiopia has extended the deadline for telecoms firms to apply for new operating licences by three weeks, to April 26, citing demands from interested companies to change their offerings to a “Covid business environment,” according to the sector regulator.
The Horn of Africa country has one of the world’s few closed telecoms markets, and is seen as a significant prize in an attempt to liberalise the economy.
Read also:Ethiopia Receives Germany’s Support to Stem Illegal Migration
Despite a six-month dispute in northern Tigray, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed forced through the latest licence auction and the sale of a 45 percent interest in state monopoly Ethio Telecoms.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer