In a staggering display of fintech growth, Ethio Telecom’s mobile money platform, telebirr, has officially crossed the 6.88 trillion birr mark in cumulative transaction value since its launch. The figures, released by CEO Frehiwot Tamru on January 29, 2026, reveal that the platform has evolved from a simple payment tool into the undisputed backbone of Ethiopia’s digital economy.
A Surge in Users and Activity
The platform’s adoption rate continues to outpace expectations. Telebirr now serves a massive base of 58.61 million users, having successfully added 4.69 million new customers in the last six months alone.
This isn’t just passive growth; the intensity of usage has reached historic levels. In the first half of the 2018 fiscal year (ending January 2026), telebirr processed 1.94 trillion birr in transactions a massive 94% increase compared to the same period last year.
Beyond Payments: Digital Credit and Savings
The CEO highlighted that telebirr’s true impact lies in its ability to provide financial services to the unbanked. Through strategic partnerships with major banks like CBE and Dashen, the platform has become a vital lending hub:
“Telebirr has become a key pillar of Ethiopia’s digital finance ecosystem… more than 16 million customers have now accessed credit services through our digital platform.”
In addition to credit, telebirr has mobilized significant capital, with total savings through the platform reaching 34.41 billion birr.
Key Performance Stats (July 2025 – Jan 2026)
- Active User Base: 58.61 Million.
- 6-Month Transaction Value: 1.94 Trillion Birr.
- Cumulative Transactions Since Launch: 6.88 Trillion Birr.
- Digital Credit Users: 16.19 Million.
- Direct Revenue from Telebirr: 4.1 Billion Birr (exceeding targets by 10%).
As the platform scales toward its goal of 75 million users by 2028, it remains the primary catalyst for the “Digital Ethiopia” agenda, proving that mobile-first finance is no longer a luxury, but a national necessity.
