Ethio Telecom Taps China's TINNO for Local Smartphone Production

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – State-owned Ethio Telecom is in talks with Chinese electronics giant TINNO Mobile to establish a local smartphone manufacturing plant, a strategic move to slash the cost of devices and accelerate digital inclusion across Ethiopia. The partnership aims to address the high price of imported handsets, a primary barrier to internet adoption in a country where smartphone penetration remains below 30%.

The proposed collaboration would leverage TINNO's global expertise as an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) to build a domestic production facility. This aligns with Ethio Telecom's long-term strategy to expand device penetration and is a core component of the government's "Digital Ethiopia 2025" agenda. By manufacturing phones locally, Ethio Telecom aims to reduce foreign currency outflows, create skilled jobs, and foster a domestic electronics value chain. "This initiative is designed to make smartphones affordable and accessible for every Ethiopian, which is fundamental to building a truly digital economy," Ethio Telecom said in a statement.

The finalization of a formal agreement between Ethio Telecom and TINNO is now the critical near-term catalyst. The subsequent timeline for the plant's construction and the launch of the first locally produced, affordable smartphones will be a systemic test of Ethiopia's industrial policy. For the telecom sector, the success of this venture is a crucial prerequisite for expanding the customer base for data and digital financial services, including the company's own Telebirr platform.