Ethio Telecom has appointed Frehiwot Tamiru as the company's new CEO to replace Dr. Andualem Admassie who is leaving after five years at the helm.

Tamiru previously worked as deputy CEO for Internal Support Services at the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation, Ethio Telecom's predecessor, before setting up her own IT services and solution company Doxa IT Technology Plc.

Her appointment is the latest in a series of changes to Ethio Telecom since the election of Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed in April 2018.

Over a month ago the company's Chief Operating Officer Esayas Dagnew was replaced by Chief Technology Officer Amare Essefa.

Ahmed is considering splitting the firm into two silos - mobile and fixed-line services and confirmed that domestic and foreign investors will have the opportunity to buy shares.

Ethio Telecom's currently has 62 million mobile phone subscribers and 3 million fixed line users, with estimated mobile phone coverage of 85%.

In June 2018 ITWeb Africa reported that MTN and Vodacom expressed interest in entering the Ethiopian market, Africa's second largest telecom market after Nigeria with a population of 100 million people.

"I will announce my plans for Ethio Telecom when I take up the role next week," Tamiru said.