Ethiopia’s Digital ID Handles $92.8 Billion in Cashless Payments

Ethiopia has handled over 12.5 trillion birr (about $92.8 billion) in digital payments. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shared this news at the ID4Africa 2025 conference in Addis Ababa.

He explained that this progress is thanks to “Fayda,” the country’s digital ID system launched in 2024. So far, over 15 million people use it, and the goal is to reach 90 million users.

Fayda is part of Ethiopia’s Digital 2025 plan. It connects people—especially women, young people, and displaced groups—to services like banking, social support, and government programs. Businesses also use it for secure digital credentials.

By verifying identities during payments, the system builds trust, gives more people access to financial services, and helps Ethiopia join the African Continental Free Trade Area’s growing digital economy.

For the first time, Ethiopia is hosting the ID4Africa conference. Over 2,000 identity and financial technology experts from around the world are attending. The event highlights how reliable ID systems can boost economic growth, improve access to digital services, and support humanitarian efforts. Ethiopia’s Fayda system is a key part of this progress.