-Nat’l ID rollout planned for Diaspora communities
– Remittance climbs to 5.1 million USD
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is stepping up efforts to harness digital technologies to ease foreign currency transfers from its Diaspora and increase remittance inflows, according to the Ethiopian Diaspora Service (EDS).
In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), EDS Executive Director Ambassador Fitsum Arega said the government is working closely with the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) to address persistent challenges faced by Diaspora members in transferring and saving hard currency.
A key part of this strategy is the introduction of Unite.et, a new mobile application developed by the NBE to help Diaspora members open and operate foreign currency accounts from abroad. The app aims to simplify the process of saving and investing in Ethiopia and is part of a broader push to integrate more digital financial services into Diaspora engagement.
“Many Ethiopians abroad want to contribute to national development projects like Abbay Dam or invest in the country, but face difficulties opening dollar accounts,” Ambassador Fitsum said. “This app is a solution to break those barriers.”
Despite the launch of Unite.et, awareness remains a challenge. Promotional events were recently held in Washington D.C. and London to demonstrate how the app works and build trust among users.
As part of ongoing modernization efforts, the EMS is also preparing to launch National ID registration for Diaspora communities, starting in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Training teams will soon be deployed, with plans to expand to other global cities based on implementation success.
The government’s campaign to finance the Abbay dam has also gained momentum, with 1.2 million USD raised in less than two months toward a 3-million-USD target through bond sales and donations.
For regions with limited access to banks or embassies, digital channels—such as FinTake and other NBE-licensed money transfer companies—are being deployed to facilitate contributions and remittances. Active participation has been noted in Saudi Arabia, Rome, and Kenya, while efforts are underway to scale up engagement in areas like North America, London, and Canada.
The renewed push appears to be paying off. Ambassador Fitsum revealed that remittance inflows reached 5.1 million USD over the past nine months, a sharp rise from 4.4 million USD during the same period last year. “This increase is substantial—particularly when compared to other export revenues like gold,” he added.
As Ethiopia navigates economic recovery and development financing challenges, mobilizing Diaspora resources through digital transformation is emerging as a vital component of the national strategy.
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025
