Safaricom Ethiopia has celebrated 25 years of executive leadership experience in the telecommunications industry for its Chief Executive Officer, Wim Vanhelleputte, highlighting his contribution to the evolution of mobile connectivity and digital services across Africa.
Vanhelleputte, who joined Safaricom Ethiopia in September 2023, brings extensive experience from several African markets, having held senior leadership positions at MTN Group, MTN Uganda, MTN Côte d’Ivoire and Airtel Africa. His career has spanned major changes in the industry, from traditional mobile telecommunications to smartphones, mobile money and broader digital ecosystems.
At Safaricom Ethiopia, he is leading the company’s ambition to expand digital access and use technology to improve lives across Ethiopia. The company says his experience across multiple markets is valuable as it works to strengthen connectivity, advance innovation and expand digital services.
His leadership comes at a significant time for Ethiopia’s telecommunications sector, which is opening up to greater competition and investment. Safaricom Ethiopia began commercial operations in October 2022, introducing a new private-sector competitor into a market historically dominated by state-owned Ethio Telecom.
The company’s longer-term challenge is to translate network expansion into meaningful digital access for more Ethiopians, while developing services that support economic participation and financial inclusion.
Vanhelleputte’s 25-year milestone therefore reflects not only his personal career but also the experience Safaricom Ethiopia is drawing on as it seeks to grow its presence in one of Africa’s evolving telecommunications markets.
