Ethio Telecom Launches Tila Digital Finance Platform with Awash Bank
Ethio Telecom introduced Tila, a digital finance and device financing service developed in partnership with Awash Bank, Ethiopia’s first private bank. The platform offers non-collateral microcredit and device financing, allowing customers to acquire smartphones through long-term payment options. The service forms part of Ethio Telecom’s “Next Horizon: Digital and Beyond 2028 Strategy” promoting wider access to digital financial services.
Credit Services Target Multiple User Segments
Tila targets users in rural and urban areas, including private and government employees with salaries processed through telebirr and Awash Bank. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and merchants can access the platform. The service utilizes an AI-assisted credit scoring model, enabling access simply by being an active telebirr or Ethio Telecom user.
Digital financial services are backed by annual credit supply exceeding $130 million including micro saving, personal microcredit, salary loans and SME loan services. Individual microloans range from $325 to $1,040 while employees can access up to $65,000 repayable over 16 months. MSMEs and merchants access unsecured loans from $3,250 to $9,750 for business growth.
Device Financing Addresses Digital Divide
The Device Financing Service enables citizens in rural agricultural and pastoralist communities to acquire smartphones on flexible payment plans. The initiative bridges the digital divide and increases participation in the digital economy. Ethio Telecom’s telebirr platform serves over 57.59 million subscribers, pioneering non-collateral digital microcredit and savings services.
In collaboration with partner banks, telebirr disbursed over $2 billion in digital loans to 15 million customers. Over 4.71 million customers collectively saved more than $1.97 billion through the platform. Ethio Telecom and Awash Bank piloted Cardless ATM and School Pay services, recording over 92,600 transactions totaling more than $6.3 million during testing phases.
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