ZTE, in collaboration with Ethio Telecom, has installed 152 rural base stations throughout East Africa’s remote areas, enhancing connectivity and addressing the digital divide in underserved communities.
This initiative is part of ZTE’s Signal Reach Program, which focuses on delivering sustainable and cost-effective network solutions to boost economic and social growth across the continent.
With this project, the companies have successfully provided 2G, 3G, and 4G connectivity to over one million Ethiopians living in isolated regions, significantly improving access to essential services in agriculture, education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.
ZTE emphasises that this development is a vital aspect of its strategy for Africa and aligns with the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, which aims to transform Ethiopia into an inclusive and prosperous society by utilising digital technologies across various industries.
The company also highlighted that deploying networks in remote areas often poses numerous challenges, including diverse terrain, insufficient infrastructure, unreliable power supply, and higher operational costs. Therefore, the comprehensive Rural Ecosystem solution utilised by Ethio Telecom has been essential for establishing an efficient, energy-conscious network.
This solution comprises three key components: EcoSite, EcoEnergy, and EcoDevice, which together ensure extensive coverage, adaptable energy solutions, and convenient services for users.
As of September 2025, the joint network established by Ethio Telecom and ZTE has effectively reached over 100 sparsely populated areas, enabling residents to access a wider array of online resources and utilise the Telebirr platform for seamless digital payments, thereby fostering economic development in rural regions.
“Ethio Telecom has been pivotal in enhancing digital access, achieving a remarkable increase in 4G coverage from 37.5% in 2024 to an impressive 70.8% in 2025,” stated ZTE.
The company added, “By focusing on underserved areas and partnering closely with technology providers like ZTE, Ethio Telecom is making significant strides in bridging the digital divide while also delivering real socio-economic benefits through the digital transformation of critical sectors such as agriculture, education, health services, and business enterprises.”
