IMPACT OF PROJECT RISK MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF TELEBIRR (MOBILE MONEY) TRANSFER SERVICES IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Mobile money services have rapidly expanded in Ethiopia, contributing significantly to financial inclusion among unbanked populations. This study investigates the impact of project risk management practices on the performance of Telebirr, a mobile money service operated by Ethio Telecom in Addis Ababa. Specifically, the study evaluates the roles of monitoring, risk management, project leadership skills, and stakeholder participation.

A survey research design was adopted, utilizing structured questionnaires to collect data from 30 Ethio Telecom employees selected through a combination of stratified and non-probability sampling techniques.

The results indicate a statistically significant and positive relationship between the examined project management practices and the performance of Telebirr. Among these, monitoring exhibited the strongest influence, followed by project leadership skills, stakeholder participation, and risk management.

The findings underscore the importance of robust monitoring frameworks and increased employee awareness of operational processes. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for targeted training initiatives to enhance project execution capabilities.

Based on these insights, it is recommended that Ethio Telecom implement regular capacity-building programs and stakeholder engagement strategies to strengthen the performance of mobile money projects.