Ethio Telecom Appoints Tariku Demissie Interim CEO After Frehiwot Tamru's Departure

Ethio Telecom has appointed Tariku Demissie, its chief technology officer, as interim chief executive, replacing Frehiwot Tamru, who left for Ethiopia's Ministry of Innovation and Technology after an October 8 cabinet announcement. The operator reported 215.82 billion birr in revenue for the 2025/26 fiscal year and 90.12 million customers. EIN Presswire reported the appointment.

Demissie's Appointment and Frehiwot Tamru's Exit

Demissie has spent 14 years at Ethio Telecom, including nine years of progressive experience in its technical domain, according to the report. His experience also spans project management and business-partner management, with an academic background in electrical engineering.

Frehiwot Tamru's move to the Ministry of Innovation and Technology followed a cabinet announcement on October 8. The leadership transition comes as Ethio Telecom pursues an expansion beyond conventional telecommunications into digital financial services, enterprise technology and digital platforms.

The company's "Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028" strategy sets out ambitions to expand its customer base and strengthen its position in digital financial services, enterprise solutions and digital platforms. Ethio Telecom reported 4.19 trillion birr in telebirr transaction value for the fiscal year, and 82.23% population coverage for 4G and commercial 5G services in 33 cities.

Ethio Telecom's Digital and Network Expansion

According to akta.pro company records, Ethio Telecom strengthened a strategic partnership with Huawei in July 2026 to accelerate enterprise and SME growth through network infrastructure and digital innovation. In June 2026, the operator secured a partnership with Afreximbank to finance digital infrastructure transformation across Africa.

In May 2026, Ethio Telecom announced that its shareholders could manage, buy and sell their shares on the securities exchange, marking its listing on the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. The same records list 80 million mobile voice subscribers, 45 million data and internet users, and 700,000 fixed broadband subscribers.

Earlier Leadership and Strategy Moves

On October 13, 2026, Frehiwot Tamru, newly appointed minister of innovation and technology, confirmed she would remain chairperson of state-owned Ethio Telecom, Telecompaper reported. On October 8, 2026, she was appointed minister of innovation and technology, approved by the House of Peoples' Representatives, as part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's new cabinet, according to Telecompaper.

On September 7, 2026, Ethio Telecom launched its 2026/27 business plan, the second stage of its "Next Horizon" strategy, Telecompaper reported. Frehiwot Tamru said the phase centers on customer service and human-centred digital services, accelerating expansion into AI, cloud, fintech and digital platforms.

Ethio Telecom's 2026/27 Network Targets

On September 9, 2026, Ethio Telecom said it plans to expand its 4G network to 11,014 LTE sites in the 2026/27 budget year, raising population coverage from 82.23% to 95% and geographic coverage from 36.3% to 54%, TechAfrica News reported.