SAFARICOM Ethiopia, the newest mobile network operator in the country, has joined forces with Prepay Nation, a leading B2B marketplace for cross-border transfers, to facilitate the transfer of mobile airtime from Ethiopians living abroad to their loved ones in Ethiopia using Safaricom Ethiopia’s network.
With more than 2.5 million Ethiopians residing outside of their homeland, particularly in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Netherlands, the demand for a reliable and convenient means to send airtime to family and friends back home is significant.
Prepay Nation, known for its extensive B2B prepaid products marketplace spanning more than 150 countries and partnerships with over 600 mobile operators, will collaborate with Safaricom Ethiopia to provide the Ethiopian diaspora with a fast and secure method of sending airtime to their loved ones, regardless of the value. The service will be accessible through Prepay Nation’s vast partner network of more than 350,000 retail locations and digital channels.
Anwar Soussa, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia, expressed the primary objective of the partnership, stating, ‘Our partnership aims to expand our services and offer the Ethiopian diaspora access to stay connected with their loved ones back home.’
With this new offering, it becomes evident that competition between Safaricom Ethiopia and the incumbent operator, Ethio Telecom, is intensifying in Ethiopia, the continent’s second-most populous country. The entrance of a third operator further fuels the competitive landscape, providing consumers with more choices and driving innovation in the telecommunications sector.
As the partnership between Safaricom Ethiopia and Prepay Nation progresses, it is expected to enhance connectivity and bridge the gap between Ethiopians living abroad and their families in their homeland, promoting stronger ties and facilitating communication in the digital age.