Ethiopian messaging platform AfroMessage says it has powered more than 407.8 million A2P SMS messages for businesses and organizations across Ethiopia since April 2021, highlighting the potential foreign exchange savings generated by locally provided messaging infrastructure.

According to figures shared by AfroMessage, the 407.8 million-plus messages correspond to approximately $139.7 million in potential international SMS expenditure when benchmarked against Twilio’s published Ethiopia SMS rate of $0.3425 per SMS segment.

The company estimates that the activity represents an average annual foreign exchange impact of approximately $26.2 million, based on the volume of messages delivered through its local infrastructure.

AfroMessage described the figures as an example of how locally developed digital infrastructure can contribute to FX substitution, by enabling businesses to meet communication needs domestically rather than relying entirely on international messaging providers.

The platform provides A2P messaging services to a broad range of organizations, including banks, fintech companies, retailers and other institutions. AfroMessage says its services have reached millions of customers through secure and scalable communication solutions.

The company emphasized that beyond SMS delivery, locally operated infrastructure can support Ethiopia’s digital economy by keeping more of the value generated by digital services within the domestic economy.

The figures come as Ethiopia continues to expand its digital infrastructure and seek greater efficiency in foreign exchange utilization, with locally developed technology increasingly positioned as part of the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.