Techbytes: Ethio Telecom launches Znexus to bridge smartphone gap and drive digital inclusion (TechAfrica)

Ethio Telecom has unveiled Znexus, a new line of affordable, cloud-based smart devices designed to address one of Africa’s most persistent challenges — the smartphone usage gap.

According to TechAfrica, the launch marks a major milestone in the company’s efforts to expand digital access and empower citizens across Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Having achieved 71 percent 4G population coverage and rolled out 5G in 26 towns, Ethio Telecom’s earlier strategies successfully tackled network availability.

Under its new “Next Horizon: Digital & Beyond 2028 Strategy,” the company is shifting focus to the usage gap — the divide that prevents millions from accessing digital services due to high smartphone costs and limited digital literacy.

While mobile infrastructure across Africa has improved significantly, more than 60 percent of mobile users in Sub-Saharan Africa remain offline. Most are hindered not by lack of coverage, but by the unaffordability of devices and low digital awareness. Ethio Telecom’s Znexus initiative aims to close this gap.

Znexus: Cloud-Powered Affordability
Znexus devices redefine mobile accessibility by integrating cloud computing technology into low-cost feature phones.

By offloading processing power to the cloud through teleCloud, the devices cut costs, extend battery life, and eliminate storage constraints via teleStorage — a personal cloud service.

Each device comes preloaded with essential applications such as telebirr, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and local entertainment platforms, offering users a “smartphone-lite” experience without the expense of traditional smartphones.

All models feature a hybrid keypad and touchscreen interface, intuitive navigation, and 4G LTE connectivity — making them ideal for students, rural communities, and first-time digital users.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.