Opera, a global web innovator, has partnered with Safaricom, a mobile network operator in Ethiopia, to offer free data. The campaign is part of Opera’s Free Data campaign, which was launched in 2017 to bring more people online in Africa.
So far, Opera has invested over $100 million in the Free Data campaign, and it has helped nearly 40 million people across five countries to benefit from up to 3 GB of free browsing each month.
In Ethiopia, Opera users will be able to enjoy up to 50 MB of free browsing every day when using Opera Mini or Opera for Android on the Safaricom network. The deal excludes video streaming and file downloads, and is valid for the latest versions of Opera Mini and Opera for Android.
“Ethiopia is a large and growing country in which we see a great deal of potential,” said Jørgen Arnesen, Executive VP Mobile at Opera. “But at this point, the internet penetration rate is only around 16.7 per cent nationwide. So we’re excited to join forces with long-time partner Safaricom to help expand Ethiopia’s digital economy.”
This is not the first time that Opera and Safaricom have partnered on a free data campaign. In Kenya, the two companies have worked together to bring free data to over 10 million people.
The free data campaign in Ethiopia is a major step forward in Opera’s mission to bring more people online in Africa. It is also a sign of the growing importance of the African internet economy.
The campaign is expected to help people in Ethiopia to establish businesses, connect with loved ones, and access educational resources. It is also expected to boost the country’s digital economy.
The free data campaign is a win-win for both Opera and Safaricom. Opera will be able to reach a new audience of potential users in Ethiopia, and Safaricom will be able to attract new customers.
The campaign is also a good example of how the private sector can play a role in promoting economic development in Africa. By providing free data, Opera and Safaricom are helping to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for Ethiopia.
