Ethiopia Launches Fayda National ID Mobile App

A mobile application was launched by the Ethiopian National ID Project (Fayda) that looks to fast-track the efficiency and accessibility of related services.

Unveiled today, at the project’s headquarters in the Welo Sefer area of Addis Ababa, the app also allows offline access to verify registration information and looks to streamline access to national ID services.

“Accessible in both Google Play and App Store, the app is developed entirely in-house. The Fayda app offers several key features aimed at improving accessibility and efficiency,”  says Selamawit Habtamu, Product Manager of the Fayda ID app. 

Users can retrieve lost or undelivered Fayda ID numbers and download their digital ID directly through the app. It also allows residents to correct errors in demographic information such as registration errors and update personal details like addresses or email through their phone. 

Additionally, individuals can request a printed copy of their Fayda ID card for after they have registered. A customer support feature allows users to provide feedback, submit complaints, or ask for additional information

The Product Manager described the application as a significant step toward digitizing civic services and streamlining national ID management.   

To date the national ID program has registered 12,215,891 users across the country, with a 34.8% and 65.2% male-to-female ratio.

In late March 2023, the House of People’s Representatives approved the Digital Identity Proclamation. The following year, the World Bank approved a 350-million-dollar package to help realize the ambitious target of registering 90 million Ethiopians.  The digital biometric ID includes an individual’s name and gender, an iris scan, and fingerprints.   

Fayda registration has become mandatory to access most public services in the capital and it is set to become a precondition to open bank accounts nationally next year.