Ethiopia’s digital identity initiative “Fayda” has officially registered 15 million users, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing push toward digital governance and service delivery.
The announcement was made by Yodahe Zemichael, Executive Director of Ethiopia’s National ID Program, during the opening ceremony of the ID4Africa 2025 Annual Meeting, currently underway in Addis Ababa. The high-level continental forum brings together over 2,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, including representatives from 35 African nations, to discuss innovations and collaboration in digital identity systems.
“This milestone is not just about the numbers,” Yodahe emphasized. “It reflects Ethiopia’s accelerating progress in establishing a reliable digital infrastructure that is foundational to our broader digital transformation agenda.”
Fayda, the national digital ID system, has become a critical tool in formalizing access to services. As of December 31, 2024, possession of the digital ID has been made mandatory for opening bank accounts in Addis Ababa. The Ministry of Justice has also announced plans to make it a requirement for accessing legal services. More institutions are expected to follow suit in the coming months.
The initiative is part of Ethiopia’s strategy to enhance transparency, inclusion, and efficiency across public and private sectors. With rapid adoption and continued integration into essential services, Fayda is positioned to play a key role in improving digital access and governance nationwide.
Organized in partnership with ID4Africa, the ongoing summit highlights the continent’s growing momentum toward digital identity systems, with Ethiopia emerging as a notable case of scalable implementation.