Ethiopia is implementing foundational pillars of digitization to enable the realization of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, according to Information Network Security Administration (INSA).
INSA Senior Cyber Security Policy Researcher, Menelik Bekele told ENA that the telecom reform, issuance of national digital identification, and digital finance are the foundational enablers of digital transformation.
The government has allowed competition in the telecom sector by introducing new operator, issued millions of digital identifications, and digital financing has been booming, he added.
“Now the good enablers and the digital foundations like the digital ID and digital finance have come to be implemented.”
Ethiopia has issued over 3 million Digital IDs since the launching of the program in March 2023.
According to him, the digital ID data, which include biometric and demographic data, are vital and foundational enablers for digital functions and services.
“Digital ID prevents fraud by integrating (the system) into the services; and is a vital input in functional services and enabler of digitization,” the researcher elaborated.
Recalling that Africa has also got a digitization strategy to be implemented by the African Union member states, Menelik revealed that Ethiopia has been implementing its strategy for over two years and is a pioneer and exemplary in Africa.
This progress in implementing national digitization strategy has attracted international attention, resulting in hosting continental and global forums in the sector.
“Commitment of the government, the private sector, and all stakeholders are also in a good form to implement this digital strategy. Many enabling situations are created,” he said
Digitization in Ethiopia is crucial to bring service efficiency and foster economic development, Menelik stated, adding that the government is implementing the digital strategy by identifying strategic priority sectors to leverage digital opportunities and propel the country into innovative, emerging technologies, and a knowledge-based digital economy.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency