Both leaderships have discussed ways through which the two parties would start and strengthen cooperation on several points.
Telecom service is not a luxury for today’s Ethiopia but a means to transform the existing economy to the long sought digital economy, said Shibeshi Bettemariam, Secretary General of Addis Chamber.
His chamber strongly believes that ICT has gradually incited all businesses, as it has become the order of the day.
With the view to expanding chamber’s activities Safaricom help a lot given its advanced digital technologies and expertise, said the secretary General.
Digitizing its membership, business support and advocacy activities are the priorities of the Chamber, he said.
Therefore, companies known for digital solutions are important partners for success.
This time, working through partnership with Safaricom will speed up chamber’ effort to hit its digital targets such as launching and rendering cloud services.
Advocating the issues and concerns of the private sector including FDIs is one of the prerogatives of the chamber with a view to inducing policy revisions for improved business ecosystem in the country.
Therefore, Addis Chamber is willing to work on evidence-based advocacy works on common thematic topics, as well as provide professional services in areas of arbitration and legal advice Shibeshi, told representatives.
Chris Lazarus, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, said Safaricom has achieved to register over 6.5 million customers / mobile subscribers/, developing three data centers and create close to 1000 jobs, hired over 1,500 local agents in its short time entry to the Ethiopian telecom market.
So far, the market is promising in Ethiopia, he said as more customers are signing up and get used to services by his company.
There are challenges, however, the Doing Business environment is not that much favorable enough to enter more digital services.
Safari understands that it can get services as any members of the chamber, also in working in partnership on common issues.
Mr. Lazarus also hinted possibilities in advocacy and knowledge sharing series in areas of digital presence.
At a later stage, both parties will sign an MoU formally, it was reported.