ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN ETHIOPIAN-TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR: THE CASE OF MOBILE MONEY PROJECTS
Keywords:
Mobile Money (Telebirr), project risk management, risk assessment process, risk mitigation, Ethio Telecom.Abstract
This research critically explores the risk management strategies utilized in Ethio Telecom’s Mobile Money initiative, with particular emphasis on the systematic processes of risk planning, identification, analysis, response, monitoring, and control. Primary data were obtained from 184 purposively selected respondents and analyzed using SPSS software, applying descriptive statistical methods to present the quantitative results. In addition, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with four project managers and triangulated with secondary sources, such as project documentation and internal reports from Ethio Telecom.
The findings reveal that although the project adopts a structured, phased approach to risk management, there is a significant shortfall in the involvement of specialized risk management professionals. Moreover, the risk assessment practices are predominantly centered on time, schedule, cost, and deliverable-related risks, which may lead to the neglect of broader, more strategic risk factors. Despite this, the project demonstrates consistent practices in risk monitoring and control throughout its implementation phase.
In light of these results, the study recommends the enhanced integration of comprehensive risk management principles, aligned with established theoretical frameworks, to strengthen the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies. Such alignment is crucial to bolstering the project’s resilience to uncertainty and ensuring sustainable operational performance within Ethiopia’s evolving mobile financial services landscape.
