1. Background information
Ethio telecom is the leading telecommunications provider in Ethiopia, established to promote nationwide connectivity. It plays a crucial role in advancing the country’s digital transformation by offering a diverse array of services, including mobile, broadband internet, enterprise solutions, and financial services through digital platforms. Ethio telecom aims to be a world-class operator, improving the lives of Ethiopians through technology. Serving millions of customers, it is dedicated to innovation and digital advancement, significantly contributing to connectivity and digital inclusion throughout the nation.
telebirr is Ethio telecom’s flagship mobile money platform launched in 2021. It is designed to empower financial inclusion by offering easy, fast, convenient, and secure platform for accessible financial services to all Ethiopians. telebirr enables users to send and receive money, make different payments, receive remittance, etc. telebirr is interoperability with banks & MFIs and other systems to build a robust digital ecosystem in our country.
telebirr SuperApp is a comprehensive digital platform that enables customers to access different services at one place. Currently, there are many apps that are integrated with telebirr SuperApp to provide different services.
In line with its continuous effort to provide the best service for customers, Ethio telecom is launching a game center in telebirr SuperApp that provide an opportunity to avail and sell their gams to telebirr customers.
Hence, Ethio telecom wants to invite potential digital game providers to submit their technical and commercial proposals. The main objective of the RFP is to call upon prospective partners who are interested in working with Ethio telecom on a revenue-sharing basis based on the contractual agreement set.
2. Project Objectives
The main objective of this RFP is to solicit proposals from experienced and qualified firms select and integrate competent games in telebirr SuperApp game center that will:
o Allow customers to have access for different type of games
o Increase telebirr SuperApp customer engagement & retention
o Build partnership
o Boost revenue for stakeholders
3. Scope of Work
The scope of this Request for Proposal includes:
§ Providing games on telebirr SuperApp Game Center
§ The game should be:
o Engaging
o Visually appealing graphics and art,
o Intuitive user interface and controls,
o Having clear instructions and tutorials,
o Optimized for various mobile devices and screen sizes,
o Capable of providing good user experience
§ The types of games include
o Educational games
o Racing games
o Action Games
o Role playing games
o Casual games
o Simulation games
o Adventure games
o Singl or multi-player games
o eSports
o Memory Games
o Word puzzles
o Sorting quizzes
o Other types of ethical games
§ telebirr shall be the only payment option
§ The games can be played by single or multiple players
§ Targeted game center channel is telebirr SuperApp
§ This Request for Proposals does not commit Ethio telecom to award a contract, or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal.
§ Ethio telecom reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received because of this request, to negotiate with all qualified partners, or to cancel this Request for Proposals if it is in the best interests of Ethio telecom to do so.
4. Project Requirements
4.1. Business and operational requirements
Interested game providers shall fulfill and provide the following engagement requirements when submitting their response proposal:
§ Renewed or new trade license and commercial registration.
§ Related work experience (optional).
§ Partner shall be required to allow Ethio telecom to have information exchange with the reference customer, if necessary.
§ API integration capability and flexibility.
§ Game shall be in line with:
o Ethio telecom brand and image
o Norms and values of society
o Health guidelines of the country
o Rules and regulations of the country
§ Games shall not:
o Having toxicity, bullying and harassment contents
o Include contents that may cause Mental Health Issues
o Promote illegal social movements
o Negatively impact lifestyles and physical health
o Contains contents that may clash with religious or freedom of political convictions.
o Violate equality and rights of nation, nationalities and people’s identity • Contravenes with people’s security, peace, health, education `or people’s morals
o Encourages hatred, violence or discrimination
o Promote violence, hate and exploitation
o Be nudity and sexual activity
o Promote suicide, self-injury or eating disorders
o Promote or sell restricted items
o Be scams or fraud
o Betting related games
o Bitcoin or cryptocurrency-related games
The game provider shall have:
o Proven knowledge in game and game-related contents.
o Ability to integrate the game with Ethio telecom or telebirr’s system.
o Professional staff required for game and related works including the ability to plan and manage the game provisioning implementation.
o For premium games, international telecom operators' recommendation letter (experience letter).
4.2. Integration Requirements
Potential game providers shall comply with the following integration requirements:
Domain | Detail Requirement Description | Remarks |
API | The H5 games provided by game providers shall be compatible with telebirr SuperApp and must be able to run on the Game Center. | |
API | Native app games provided by the game provider shall either be redeveloped using telebirr SuperApp’s Macle MiniApp framework to run inside the SuperApp, or the partner shall integrate the APIs provided by telebirr SuperApp to enable the games to be triggered directly from the device. | |
API | | Game providers shall be capable of adopting telebirr exposed APIs for additional required payments. |
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API | Game providers shall have a staging environment for testing. | |
4.3. Security Requirements
Potential game providers shall comply with the following security requirements:
Ethio Telecom requires that all game providers integrating into the telebirr SuperApp Game Center ensure the security, privacy, and compliance of their applications and services. Partner must respond to each requirement and provide supporting documentation.
Regulatory and Compliance |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP1.1 | The provider must comply with Ethiopian National Data Protection Proclamation and applicable NBE directives. | | |
GP1.2 | The provider must accept periodic security and compliance audits by Ethio Telecom. | | |
Secure Game Application Development |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP2.1 | Games must be developed following Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC) practices. | | |
GP2.2 | Games must not contain malware, spyware, hidden data collection, or backdoors. | | |
Data Protection and User Privacy |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP3.1 | Providers must ensure all user data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3 or higher). | | |
GP3.2 | Games must not store sensitive payment data (PIN, CVV, full card details). | | |
GP3.3 | Providers must comply with Ethio Telecom’s privacy policy and obtain explicit user consent for data collection. | | |
GP3.4 | Providers must implement parental controls and age-appropriate content classification. | | |
Integration and API Security |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP4.1 | All integrations with telebirr APIs must use secure authentication (OAuth 2.0/OpenID Connect). | | |
GP4.2 | Providers must not expose unnecessary APIs or services to the public. | | |
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Financial Transaction Security |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP5.1 | All transactions must be processed via telebirr secure payment APIs only. | | |
Infrastructure and Hosting Security |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP6.1 | For games hosted on a partner environment must comply to secure hosting environment (on premises, local or international cloud with proper certifications). | | |
GP6.2 | Providers must implement regular patching, vulnerability scans, and malware protection. | | |
GP6.3 | Providers must enforce DDoS protection and secure configuration of their hosting environment. | | |
Logging, Monitoring, and Incident Management |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP7.1 | Providers must log all security and transaction events for audit purposes. | | |
GP7.2 | Providers must have a defined incident response plan and notify Ethio Telecom of security incidents within 24 hours. | | |
GP7.3 | Logs must be tamper-resistant and retained as per Ethio Telecom policy. | | |
User Protection and Content Security |
Requirement | Description | Vendor Response (Y/N) | Remark |
GP8.1 | Games must not include harmful, illegal, or culturally inappropriate content. | | |
GP8.2 | Games must clearly disclose permissions requested (camera, microphone, storage, etc.). | | |
GP8.3 | Providers must offer parental/guardian controls where relevant. | | |
5. Confidentiality and Public Disclosure
§ Partners shall treat all information obtained from Ethio telecom that is not generally available to the public as confidential and/or proprietary to Ethio telecom.
§ Partners shall exercise all reasonable precautions to prevent any information derived from the partnership from being disclosed to any other person.
§ Ethio telecom will keep the confidentiality of the documents and will not expose competitive information to a third party.
§ If required, Ethio telecom is subject to state and local public disclosure laws and, in such, it is legally obligated to disclose to the public documents, including proposals, to the extent required by law.
6. Proposal Administration
§ Proposal submission
o Potential partners can submit their proposal starting from October 20, 2025
o Please use the RFP template provided below for your side responses.
o All proposals must be submitted in hard copy to Ethio Telecom, Melaka Tower Building, Churchill Road, seventh floor, and Telebirrgamecenter@ethiotelecom.et
o Moreover, they shall comply with the following requirements during the preparation of the Proposal:
· The proposal and all associated correspondence shall be written in English. Any interlineations, erasures, or overwriting shall be valid only if they are initialed by the authorized person signing on the Proposal.
· Proposals and any other related documents prepared in response to this RFP will not be considered unless they are filed at the correct address.
§ Proposal Review and Discussion.
o Ethio telecom will go into discussion with each applicant regarding the business model, engagement approach, price, or any other term of their proposals, and contractual terms, at any time before execution of a final contract.
RFP Template
The proposals submitted in response to this RFP must include a cover letter signed by the person who authorized a proposal on behalf of the company.
The proposal should also include:
§ A cover letter that summarizes the response, includes areas to which response is made, and indicates if supporting documentation is included in your response.
§ The RFP shall be prepared shall address the following parts but not limited to:
A. General Information
§ Brief introduction of the company.
§ Overview of the proposed Game.
§ Expected impact and benefits for telebirr and its customers
§ Parent company:
o Business Name, address, telephone number, website,
o A primary contact, including name, job title, address, telephone, and email address.
§ Local representative
o Authorization letter
o Agent information
§ Business license and taxpayer identification/payer certification
B. Company Profile
o Legal name, address, and registration details.
o Core business and experience in similar services.
o Key stakeholders and relevant partnerships.
C. Proposed Game Service
o Service Name & Description: Explanation of the game.
o Customer journey from account set up to subscription, payment and usage.
o Target Audience: (Age, gender, …)
o Value Proposition: How the service benefits your company, telebirr users and telebirr.
D. Pricing and its strategy
o Pricing Structure: Subscription-based (Daily, Weekly and Monthly), pay-per-use (on demand) etc.
o Trial period: Describe the trial options if applicable.
o Awards and gifts if applicable.
o Projected Financials: Expected revenue and transaction volumes
E. Technical Integration
o Channel readiness: Current state of the application or website, including readiness for integration.
o Capability of integrating with telebirr SuperApp game center with the requested integration approach.
o System Requirements & security requirements
o Support & Maintenance
F. Marketing & User Acquisition Plan
o Promotion Strategies: How the game will be promoted.
o Customer Support Plan: Handling user inquiries and complaints.
o Partnership Expectations: Any support needed from Ethio telecom.
G. Legal & Compliance Considerations
o Legal Documentation: The partner shall submit the following legal documents:
§ Required business License to perform the service
§ Renewed Trade License
§ Commercial Registration Certificate
§ VAT Certificate (if applicable)
§ INSA Security Authorization Letter/Certificate
§ TIN Certificate
H. Conclusion
o Summary of key points.
o Request for approval and next steps.