Ethiopia's Nat'l ID Program Transforming Service Accessibility: Legal & Policy Director

Addis Ababa July 13, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia's National ID Program, Fayda, is rapidly transforming the landscape of identity and access to services, with 19.1 million residents registered as of 10 July 2025, according to Gabriella Abrham, Legal and Policy Director at the National ID Program.

"We have registration centers all over Ethiopia," Gabriella affirmed.

She also said this expansive outreach lies in crucial partnerships with Ethio Telecom and EthioPost, whose extensive physical presence across the nation have been instrumental in providing in-person registration services.

Fayda is not just a concept, but a tangible reality for communities in every corner of Ethiopia, she noted.

The program's architects have made deliberate choices to maximize physical access, she said.

"We have leveraged existing resources of shops, offices, centers of Ethio Telecom and Ethio Post, as well as other government entities, including regional offices of Ministry of Revenue bureaus," she explained.

This ingenious approach minimizes the need for new infrastructure, making registration convenient and accessible to diverse populations, regardless of their proximity to major urban centers.

At the heart of Fayda's design is its profound commitment to legal and social inclusion, she said, citing the Ethiopian Digital Identification Proclamation 1284, as a testament to this principle.

Gabriella stressed that the proclamation entitles eligibility beyond citizens.

"Residents in Ethiopia are eligible to have Fayda ID," she emphasized. "This would mean that it's not only citizens who are entitled to have access to Fayda ID, but also legal residents, including refugees, expats, diplomats, people working in this country in a legal manner who have permits," she elaborated.

She also noted this inclusive policy sets Fayda as a pioneering initiative, particularly for often-marginalized groups like refugees.

"By providing them with a formal digital identity, Fayda opens doors to essential services and opportunities, fostering a sense of belonging and empowering those in vulnerable situations," she stated.

According to her, Fayda’s transformative power lies in its seamless integration with over 55 public and private institutions, making it a gateway to vital financial services like bank account opening and transactions.

In sectors requiring digital ID, Fayda simplifies processes, reducing bureaucracy and boosting efficiency, serving students and professionals alike, ensuring widespread physical registration access and practical service use, she explained.