Immigration and Citizenship Service Modernizes Operations that Meet Needs, Int’l Standards: Director-General

Addis Ababa, July 14, 2025 (ENA)—The Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) has been modernizing its operations to meet national needs and international standards by introducing reforms in the organization, Director-General Selamawit Dawit said today.

The director-general made the remark at the opening of a two-day Immigration and Citizenship Service performance review meeting in Addis Ababa.

According to Selamawit, the major achievements were made over the last two years.

 The challenges faced by the service included relying on outdated systems that did not meet national needs and international standards, she added.

​​​​However, with the advent of substantial reforms, ICS has witnessed significant improvements across its operations over the last two years.

Streamlining procedures, enhancing technological infrastructure and competency training for staff were some of the achievements made to foster greater accessibility, timeliness, responsiveness and equity, she stated, noting that the service has been transforming the manual system into a digital one which minimizes bureaucratic hurdles and prolonged queues.

The director-general said the service had introduced e-passport, and enhancing its outreach through opening new branches fulfilling material and human resources.

After introducing reforms in the Ethiopian year 2015, the service has enhanced its capacity and efficiency in providing services.

In this regard, Selamawit stated that over the last Ethiopian Fiscal Year (2017) alone, ICS has provided 1.4 million passports, gave services for 7.2 million travelers, and collected over 34 billion Birr in the budget year.

Digital service coverage has increased from 61percent of the previous year to 75 percent and customer satisfaction level jumped from 55 percent to 70.4 percent.

Moreover, Ethiopia’s membership to global system of ICAO’s Public Key Directory has been a great success that helped to secure and speed up electronic passport verification.