It can be recalled that Ethio telecom has been successfully addressing the coverage gap in its past strategies through the expansion of its 4G and 5G networks, achieving a significant milestone of 71% 4G population coverage.
Building on this success, our company is now focusing its “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 strategy“ on the usage gap, which is primarily caused by the high cost of smart devices. To resolve this affordability issue and leverage its robust network infrastructure, Ethio telecom is launching znexus, a line of low-cost, cloud-based smart devices, to drive digital inclusion and empower more citizens to participate in the digital economy.
Addressing the Smartphone Usage Gap in Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa
Despite the significant expansion of telecom infrastructure across Africa, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), millions remain digitally excluded due to two main barriers: the high cost of smartphones and limited digital literacy and device familiarity.
In Ethiopia, while 4G and 5G networks are now widely deployed, a large portion of the population still relies on basic 2G/3G feature phones, unable to fully benefit from the opportunities the digital world offers. According to recent data, over 60% of mobile users in SSA remain offline not because coverage is unavailable, but because devices are unaffordable, or users are unfamiliar with how to engage with digital services.
This “usage gap” is one of the most pressing digital challenges of our time. It prevents access to critical services like digital payments, e-learning, health apps, agriculture platforms, and e-governance tools that can drive inclusive growth.
Znexus: Purpose-Built to Bridge the Usage Gap
Ethio telecom’s znexus brand was created specifically to bridge this usage gap. It offers a human-centered, cloud-powered solution that:
- Reduces device costs by shifting processing power to the teleCloud
- Simplifies the user experience with intuitive interfaces (keypad + touchscreen)
- Extends battery life essential for rural and low-power areas
- Eliminates storage limitations through built-in teleStorage
- Provides preloaded services like telebirr, educational content, apps, and media
- And most importantly, supports first-time users with accessible, low-friction onboarding
By offering smartphone-like services at a fraction of the cost, znexus helps Ethiopia and Africa leapfrog traditional barriers to digital inclusion and accelerates the realization of Digital-First societies.
Znexus Purpose
To empower nations, communities, businesses, and individuals by making smart, cloud-powered devices affordable and accessible, bringing the world closer to a Digital-First reality where no one is left behind.
Znexus Promise
We promise to make digital inclusion real through innovative, cloud-based devices that seamlessly integrate hardware, software, cloud infrastructure, and nationwide connectivity.
Znexus powers every sector; education, agriculture, health, trade, and beyond by providing affordable access to connectivity, cloud services, and applications that drive learning, productivity, and progress.
Znexus: Powering Inclusion. Redefining Access. Inspiring the Future!
Ethio telecom recognizes that bridging the digital divide can stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for Ethiopians. We are dedicated to making digital and cloud technologies accessible, affordable, and sustainable for everyone. We have made significant infrastructure investments, connecting 936 towns with 4G and achieving 71% population coverage. With 5G already deployed in 26 towns, Ethio telecom envisions 99% 4G LTE Advanced coverage by the end of its “Next Horizon: Digital and Beyond 2028 Strategy.” However, the affordability of smartphones remains a barrier for many individuals in the covered areas.
Ethio telecom’s znexus exemplifies this commitment and offers essential services without the high costs associated with standard smartphones. To further this commitment and foster financial inclusion for all Ethiopians, Ethio telecom has successfully launched cloud and telebirr services on znexus.
These initiatives aim to increase inclusion by bridging the digital divide and addressing the usage gap, reducing entry barriers to internet access, increasing access to devices, enhancing customers’ data usage experience, cloud services usage, enhancing productivity, and ensuring secure digital experiences for all Ethiopians, ranging from individuals to enterprises, in line with the “Next Horizon: Digital and Beyond 2028 Strategy.” Ethio telecom’s znexus and Cloud Workspace solutions are set to revolutionize the way individuals and organizations connect and operate in the digital age.
Znexus is a cloud-based entry-level smart handset that redefines mobile accessibility by embedding cloud computing capabilities into an affordable and durable feature phone. This innovative device empowers users to access essential tools, telebirr services, telecloud storage, and lifestyle applications, mitigating the need for high-end smartphones and reducing the digital divide.
The znexus lineup includes the znexus 127 Lite, znexus 131 Lite, and znexus 2028 Lite models, pre-loaded with cloud-accessed applications such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Games, short drama and news. This provides users with a “smartphone-lite” experience, expanding accessibility to a broader customer base.
Znexus is a cloud-based phone that delivers smartphone-like functionality to existing and new Feature phone users, telebirr customers, students, rural communities, elderly customers, and anyone seeking an affordable, simple, integrated, secured, and durable mobile handset. It combines 4G LTE connectivity, extended battery life, cloud computing, telecloud storage, and a consolidated homepage with single-touch access to all services via 9-grid navigation.
TeleStorage is a personal cloud storage service built into znexus, designed to securely store images, files, videos, audio, to easily create new folders, categorize files, and access them using a User-friendly interface anytime. telestorage gives znexus users confidence by enabling them to keep their files safe in the telecloud, alleviating concerns about phone storage limits, phone loss, or damage and at the same time providing reliable, and convenient access to their digital content through their basic feature phone.
Znexus Cloud Workspace Solution: Secure, Scalable, and Flexible
The Cloud Workspace solution empowers businesses, government and non-government organizations to securely access virtual desktops and applications from any device, enhancing productivity while minimizing IT overhead. This solution is delivered via znexus PADs, laptops, and thin clients, specifically the znexus R2025 Rise-Cloud Tab, znexus E2025 pro cloud laptop, znexus E131 Pro Cloud laptop, and znexus E2025 ultra thin client.
Key Benefits:
- Data Safety: Secure storage and processing in the cloud.
- Scalable Resources: Easily expand resources as organizations grow.
- Cost Efficiency: Pay-as-you-go model reduces capital expenses.
- Automatic Updates & Backup: Simplifies IT management and ensures business continuity.
- Robust Security: Multi-layer encryption and access control for maximum protection.
Ethio telecom provides bundled packages that combine devices, internet access, telebirr, cloud storage, and solutions into a unified, cost-effective offering for both individuals and enterprises. This integrated package enables customers to enjoy a seamless, managed experience without concerns about hardware, connectivity, or data safety, fundamentally transforming how users and organizations experience digital services.
From personal communication to enterprise-grade computing, Ethio telecom delivers a comprehensive suite of services through a single, secure, and affordable cloud ecosystem. These solutions represent a substantial advancement in Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey, providing affordable devices, cloud-powered computing, and secure data access across key sectors, exemplifying Ethio telecom’s commitment to delivering affordable and trusted digital solutions to customers.
Ethio telecom, with the launch of znexus and Cloud Workspace solutions, reaffirms its strategic commitment to driving digital accessibility and economic growth across Ethiopia and beyond. We promise a future where affordable devices empower individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive in the global digital economy.
October 16, 2025
Ethio telecom
