Ethio Telecom has unveiled its innovative Znexus line of affordable cloud-powered smart devices as part of its broad strategy to reduce the digital usage gap in Ethiopia and accelerate inclusive digital transformation across the country and the wider sub-Saharan African region. This launch comes after Ethio Telecom’s significant achievement in expanding its 4G and 5G network coverage to reach 71% of the public nationwide.
Despite expanding network infrastructure, the high cost of smartphones and limited digital literacy have excluded large portions of the population from accessing key digital services such as mobile payments, e-education, health apps, agricultural platforms, and e-government tools. Studies indicate that over 60% of Africans living within network coverage remain unable to use these critical services primarily due to affordability and skills deficits.
The Znexus product range includes low-cost smartphones, tablets, desktops, laptops, and thin-client PCs, all designed to be affordable and user-friendly, with features like a dual keypad and touchscreen interface, extended battery life suitable for rural areas, built-in cloud storage eliminating local storage limitations, and preloaded applications including Ethio Telecom’s mobile payment platform telebirr as well as educational content and essential apps. These devices are coupled with an accessible onboarding experience aimed at first-time digital users.
Ethio Telecom’s CEO highlighted that this initiative aligns with the company’s “Next Horizons Digital and Beyond 2028 Strategy,” aimed at closing the affordability and usage gaps in digital access and empowering underserved communities, particularly in rural areas. The launch follows strategic partnership talks with global telecom equipment manufacturer TINNO, which is exploring opportunities to establish a manufacturing plant in Ethiopia to produce affordable smart devices locally.
This collaboration underscores Ethio Telecom’s commitment to expanding digital inclusion by combining extensive network infrastructure with affordable, cloud-powered hardware solutions. By doing so, Ethio Telecom aims to not only bridge the digital divide but also foster economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital literacy across Ethiopia and contribute to the broader African digital economy.
