Ethio telecom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia’s Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) to enable manufacturers based in industrial parks to sell export-grade products to domestic consumers through a national digital marketplace.
The agreement allows manufacturers operating within IPDC-managed industrial parks to onboard onto Zemen GEBEYA, a digital marketplace integrated into Ethio telecom’s telebirr SuperApp. For the first time, products previously destined exclusively for international markets will be made available to Ethiopian consumers through a structured, cashless digital trading system.
The partnership is positioned as part of Ethiopia’s broader push to modernise trade, strengthen domestic market linkages, and accelerate the country’s digital economy. By connecting industrial manufacturers directly with consumers, the initiative aims to reduce operational costs, improve inventory visibility, and streamline logistics through a data-driven transaction framework.
Export-Standard Products for Domestic Consumers
Products expected to be traded through Zemen GEBEYA under the agreement include:
- * Textiles and apparel, including export-standard garments
- Leather and leather goods, such as Ethiopian Highland Leather products
- Agro-processed goods, including value-added agricultural products, oilseeds, coffee and food items
- Electronics and technology products, including mobile devices and home appliances
- Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies
- Chemical and construction inputs**, including fertilizers and industrial materials
- Other manufactured goods, such as ceramics and wood products
According to the parties, the digital platform will support end-to-end processes — from product listing and order management to digital payments and logistics coordination — enabling manufacturers to engage the local market more efficiently.
Digital Transformation of Industrial Manufacturing
Beyond product sales, the partnership also focuses on strengthening digital capabilities within Ethiopia’s industrial parks. Planned areas of collaboration include onboarding manufacturers onto digital systems, promoting locally produced goods through the platform, and developing market intelligence and data insights to support production and distribution decisions.
The initiative aligns with Ethio telecom’s “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028” strategy, which prioritises expanding digital services beyond connectivity into e-commerce, fintech, cloud services and enterprise solutions.
About Zemen GEBEYA
Launched in May 2025, Zemen GEBEYA is a national digital marketplace integrated into the telebirr ecosystem. The platform leverages Ethiopia’s expanding mobile and internet infrastructure to connect merchants with consumers in a cashless, data-enabled environment. Since its launch, it has recorded more than 21 million visits, facilitated over 70,000 orders, and engaged more than 460 active merchants, marking one of the country’s fastest-growing e-commerce initiatives.
About Ethio telecom
Ethio telecom is Ethiopia’s state-owned integrated telecom and digital solutions provider and one of Africa’s oldest telecom operators. With more than 86 million subscribers and over 57 million telebirr users, the company operates a nationwide network of over 10,200 mobile sites, delivering services ranging from basic connectivity to fintech, cloud, AI and e-commerce solutions.
About Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC)
Established in 2014, the Industrial Parks Development Corporation is mandated to drive Ethiopia’s industrialisation agenda. The corporation currently manages 11 Special Economic Zones and 2 Industrial Parks, providing infrastructure, production facilities and one-stop services to domestic and foreign investors.