Intelligent Build.tech Issue 10 | Page 44

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Entering the catch-up game in networking and telecom

With a population exceeding 120 million , Ethiopia stands out as one of the rapidly expanding economies within Africa . It has become an attractive destination for technology and telecom firms aiming to enter this burgeoning market and extend their business reach . However , despite its potential , Ethiopia faces challenges in keeping pace with the rest of the Sub-Saharan market .

Data centre development in Ethiopia has gained momentum with investments from notable operators like Raxio Data Centres and Safaricom , marking a steady growth trajectory for the country ’ s data centre infrastructure .

The push for Smart City initiatives has spurred the development and adoption of digital platforms in Ethiopia . Collaborations such as the one between Ethio Telecom and the Addis Ababa city administration to build a Smart City in Addis Ababa underscore this digital transformation .
According to ResearchAndMarkets . com , the Ethiopian data centre market is expected to reach a value of US $ 226 million by 2028 from US $ 95 million in 2022 , growing at a CAGR of 15.54 % from 2022 – 2028 .
An important milestone was reached in July 2023 when a memorandum of understanding was signed between Ethiopia and South Korea to embark on a smart city project in Ethiopia .
In terms of connectivity , Ethiopia is gearing up for the expansion of 4G and 5G networks , with telecom operators like Ethio Telecom committed to enhancing service quality to meet the growing demands of end-users . For instance , in June 2023 , the World Bank made significant investments in Africa to support
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