By 2026, Ethiopia will require its Fayda digital ID for all banking, building on PKI to modernize finance, enhance security, and boost financial inclusion nationwide.
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Ethiopia mandates its Fayda digital ID for all banking by 2026, building on PKI and a successful pilot. The move aims to modernize finance, enhance security, and boost inclusion.
Ethiopia is implementing a nationwide policy requiring the use of its national digital ID system, Fayda, for all banking transactions. This ambitious initiative, part of a broader digital government strategy, follows the recent launch of the country's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). The implementation will occur in phases, starting with an Addis Ababa pilot in January 2025, expanding to major cities by July 2025, and reaching nationwide coverage by January 2026. All bank account holders must link their accounts to Fayda IDs by the end of 2026.
The Fayda digital ID system has already seen significant adoption, with over 11 million Ethiopians registered. This growth follows the initial pilot phase where TECH5 provided biometric and digital ID solutions. Registration centers are operational nationwide, including the Tigray region. The government is also developing supporting infrastructure, such as the EthioConnect data exchange system, with support from DT Global through an EU-funded project focused on digital skills, cybersecurity, connectivity, and improved government services.