In Ethiopia, the mobile market in February 2026 is defined by a fierce rivalry between the state giant Ethio Telecom and the rapidly growing Safaricom Ethiopia. Following a major price "rationalization" by Safaricom in late 2025, the focus this year has shifted to high-value 5G bundles and integrated mobile money perks.
Major Carrier Offers
Connectivity is expanding rapidly, with Ethio Telecom aiming to cover 500 additional towns with 4G and 15 more cities with 5G by June 2026.
Ethio Telecom (The Dominant Player):
* Telebirr Advantage: You get an additional 20% package resource or a 10% bonus on recharges when purchasing via the telebirr app.
* 5G Mobile Packages: Now widely available in Addis Ababa and major regional hubs. Unlimited monthly data plans are a flagship offering, starting around 2,000 ETB.
* Monthly Combo Packs:
* 1GB + 200 Min + 50 SMS: 90 ETB
* 5GB + 600 Min + 350 SMS: 400 ETB
* 20GB + 2,000 Min + 500 SMS: 1,200 ETB
* Good Morning & Night Packs: Specific low-cost "Good Morning" packages (6 AM – 8 AM) are available for light morning browsing via *999#.
Safaricom Ethiopia (The Challenger):
* SME & Business Packs: Safaricom has carved out a niche with generous business bundles.
* SME 20GB: Includes unlimited Safaricom calls/SMS plus 1,200 minutes to Ethio Telecom for 30 days.
* SME 120GB: Their high-tier monthly plan includes 4,000 minutes to Ethio Telecom.
* Wullo Package: A unique 24-hour "Daytime" offer providing 100GB (6 AM - 6 PM) plus 100 Safaricom minutes for 600 ETB.
* M-PESA Integration: Similar to its rival, Safaricom offers significant data bonuses for first-time M-PESA app users and those who pay for bundles using mobile money.
Smartphone & Retail Deals
The Ethiopian market in 2026 is seeing a surge in locally assembled and budget-friendly 5G devices.
* Samsung (48% Market Share):
* Galaxy S26 Series: Launched globally this week (February 25, 2026). Pre-orders in Addis Ababa often include a free storage upgrade or a Galaxy Watch bundle.
* Galaxy A56: A top-selling mid-range 5G device, currently retailing for approx. 66,000 ETB.
* Galaxy A16: An entry-level favorite at approx. 28,500 ETB.
* Tecno & Infinix: These brands dominate the budget sector. The Tecno Camon 30 series is a popular choice this month, frequently bundled with 10GB of Safaricom data.
* iPhone 17 Series: The iPhone 17 Pro Max is available through premium importers like Jiji vendors, often priced upwards of 180,000 ETB depending on the exchange rate.
Visitor & Tourist Information
* Local SIM: Available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). A SIM card costs approximately 30 ETB and includes a small amount of starter credit. Passport registration is mandatory.
* Travel eSIMs:
* Airalo: Offers 1GB for 7 days at $4.50 or 5GB for 30 days at $15.50.
* Holafly: Provides larger data pools for travelers who prefer not to visit a physical store.
* Network Tip: Ethio Telecom generally has better rural coverage, while Safaricom is praised for its 4G/5G speeds in urban centers like Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.
Important Notes for 2026
* Infrastructure Sharing: In late January 2026, the Ethiopian Communication Authority ordered Ethio Telecom to reduce infrastructure rental fees for Safaricom, which is expected to improve Safaricom's signal quality in remote areas later this year.
* Net Neutrality: Be aware of occasional competitive friction between the two networks; in late 2025, there were reports of the M-PESA app being throttled on the Ethio Telecom network, so keeping a SIM from both carriers (Dual SIM) is a common local strategy.
Major Carrier Offers
Connectivity is expanding rapidly, with Ethio Telecom aiming to cover 500 additional towns with 4G and 15 more cities with 5G by June 2026.
Ethio Telecom (The Dominant Player):
* Telebirr Advantage: You get an additional 20% package resource or a 10% bonus on recharges when purchasing via the telebirr app.
* 5G Mobile Packages: Now widely available in Addis Ababa and major regional hubs. Unlimited monthly data plans are a flagship offering, starting around 2,000 ETB.
* Monthly Combo Packs:
* 1GB + 200 Min + 50 SMS: 90 ETB
* 5GB + 600 Min + 350 SMS: 400 ETB
* 20GB + 2,000 Min + 500 SMS: 1,200 ETB
* Good Morning & Night Packs: Specific low-cost "Good Morning" packages (6 AM – 8 AM) are available for light morning browsing via *999#.
Safaricom Ethiopia (The Challenger):
* SME & Business Packs: Safaricom has carved out a niche with generous business bundles.
* SME 20GB: Includes unlimited Safaricom calls/SMS plus 1,200 minutes to Ethio Telecom for 30 days.
* SME 120GB: Their high-tier monthly plan includes 4,000 minutes to Ethio Telecom.
* Wullo Package: A unique 24-hour "Daytime" offer providing 100GB (6 AM - 6 PM) plus 100 Safaricom minutes for 600 ETB.
* M-PESA Integration: Similar to its rival, Safaricom offers significant data bonuses for first-time M-PESA app users and those who pay for bundles using mobile money.
Smartphone & Retail Deals
The Ethiopian market in 2026 is seeing a surge in locally assembled and budget-friendly 5G devices.
* Samsung (48% Market Share):
* Galaxy S26 Series: Launched globally this week (February 25, 2026). Pre-orders in Addis Ababa often include a free storage upgrade or a Galaxy Watch bundle.
* Galaxy A56: A top-selling mid-range 5G device, currently retailing for approx. 66,000 ETB.
* Galaxy A16: An entry-level favorite at approx. 28,500 ETB.
* Tecno & Infinix: These brands dominate the budget sector. The Tecno Camon 30 series is a popular choice this month, frequently bundled with 10GB of Safaricom data.
* iPhone 17 Series: The iPhone 17 Pro Max is available through premium importers like Jiji vendors, often priced upwards of 180,000 ETB depending on the exchange rate.
Visitor & Tourist Information
* Local SIM: Available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). A SIM card costs approximately 30 ETB and includes a small amount of starter credit. Passport registration is mandatory.
* Travel eSIMs:
* Airalo: Offers 1GB for 7 days at $4.50 or 5GB for 30 days at $15.50.
* Holafly: Provides larger data pools for travelers who prefer not to visit a physical store.
* Network Tip: Ethio Telecom generally has better rural coverage, while Safaricom is praised for its 4G/5G speeds in urban centers like Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.
Important Notes for 2026
* Infrastructure Sharing: In late January 2026, the Ethiopian Communication Authority ordered Ethio Telecom to reduce infrastructure rental fees for Safaricom, which is expected to improve Safaricom's signal quality in remote areas later this year.
* Net Neutrality: Be aware of occasional competitive friction between the two networks; in late 2025, there were reports of the M-PESA app being throttled on the Ethio Telecom network, so keeping a SIM from both carriers (Dual SIM) is a common local strategy.
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