By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Safaricom Ethiopia has
signed a Joint Venture Agreement with the National ID Program and Africom
Technologies PLC to support the implementation of Ethiopia’s National Fayda
Digital ID Registration Project, covering Lots 3 and 4 as part of the country’s
broader digital transformation agenda.
The partnership is aimed at
accelerating the rollout of Ethiopia’s national digital identity system and
expanding registration coverage across multiple regions, including Afar,
Amhara, Tigray, Sidama, South West Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia and South Ethiopia.
Through the initiative, the
partners will support large-scale citizen registration efforts intended to
strengthen access to digital identity services and enable wider participation
in both public and private sector systems that rely on verified identification.
Safaricom Ethiopia Chief
Executive Officer Wim Vanhelleputte said the project is expected to deliver
significant national benefits by advancing digital inclusion, expanding access
to essential services and strengthening the foundations of Ethiopia’s emerging
digital economy.
He noted that the initiative
will also generate employment opportunities for thousands of Ethiopians
involved in the registration process, contributing to short-term job creation
alongside long-term digital infrastructure development.
Executive Director of the
National ID Program, Yodahe Zemichael, said the Fayda Digital ID initiative is
a key component of Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia strategy. He added that the
program will play an important role in promoting financial inclusion, improving
public service delivery, strengthening governance systems and supporting
broader economic growth.
The partnership is expected
to enhance the pace and scale of digital identity registration across the
country, supporting Ethiopia’s efforts to build a more connected and inclusive
digital ecosystem.
