
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has set to issue digital IDs to 70 million citizens within two years, the Ethiopian National ID Program disclosed.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald the Ethiopian National ID Program Executive Director Yodahe Arayaselassie said that the country is striving to issue digital IDs to four million people during the intensive nationwide rollout phase.
Accessing digital IDs is a key for the overall development of the country that’s why the process has been taking place progressively by expanding stations, he said.
As to him, digitalizing ID system would hugely reduce redundancy of data as well as avoid forgery documents.
The platform also facilitates access to services, reduces fraud, catalyzes economic participation proves individuals’ identity online, Yodahe stressed.
Furthermore, the country has been working to reach 70 million Ethiopians with digital IDs in two years. “Although launching the system lately has challenges, the latecomer advantage has been helping us by enabling to get lessons and experiences from other countries,” he added.
Moreover, issuing the national digital ID is not limited to citizens, but it is also launched recently for refugees to access basic services, according to the Executive Director.
Recently, Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) in partnership with National ID Program (NIDP) and UNHCR launched an initiative in Addis Ababa to include refugees and asylum seekers into the Ethiopian Digital ID system.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 10 MARCH 2024