Speaker Bio
Name: Endale Asrat Asfaw
Current Position: Chief Information Officer (CIO), Ethio Telecom
Education
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Electrical Engineering from Mekelle University
Career Path & Experience
With nearly 18 years of dedicated service at Ethio Telecom, I have gained extensive experience across the full spectrum of the telecommunications and ICT landscape. Throughout this period, I have progressively advanced through a variety of strategic and technical leadership roles, including Chief Quality and Process Officer, Revenue Assurance Officer, Business Support System (BSS) Manager, Billing Coordinator, and Associate Engineer, among others. Each of these positions has deepened my understanding of the complex interplay between technology, process, and business outcomes within a large-scale telecom environment.
Since 2015 G.C., I have been privileged to serve at the C-Level, and for the past six years, I have held the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this capacity, I have led the end-to-end management of the company’s IT strategy, operations, large-scale digital transformation projects and inhouse software development. My work focuses on ensuring that technology remains a strategic enabler of Ethio Telecom’s broader corporate objectives in enhancing operational efficiency, customer experience, and innovation capacity.
In general, my leadership emphasizes governance, IT resilience, data-driven decision-making, and the adoption of emerging technologies, ensuring that Ethio Telecom remains agile and future-ready in a rapidly evolving market.
Contributions & Public Role
In my role as CIO, I have played a key part in shaping Ethiopia’s digital ecosystem, extending beyond the company’s boundaries to influence national technology and innovation strategies. I have actively provided expert inputs and recommendations in various national ICT policy and strategy development forums.
One of the most transformative initiatives under my leadership has been telebirr, Ethio Telecom’s pioneering mobile financial service platform. I played a strategic role in its adoption, development, and expansion turning it into a national success story. This initiative has become one of the most impactful digital financial inclusion projects in Ethiopia, empowering millions of citizens with accessible financial services and supporting the transition toward a cash-lite economy.
Building on this success, I also led the introduction and operationalization of teleCloud, Ethio Telecom’s national cloud service platform. This initiative is a cornerstone in establishing Ethiopia’s digital sovereignty and data localization capability, providing secure, scalable, and affordable cloud infrastructure for public and private organizations. teleCloud not only enhances local enterprise agility and innovation but also reinforces Ethiopia’s capacity to host and process data domestically by strengthening national digital resilience.
Through these contributions, I have consistently advocated for a holistic approach to ICT development that integrates local innovation, open standards, and capacity building to ensure sustainable digital progress. My ongoing commitment is to strengthen the synergy between telecommunications, digital finance, and public service delivery, creating a resilient and inclusive digital economy for the nation.