Zambia has announced plans to adopt Ethiopia’s Fayda digital ID system as a model for its upcoming national digital identity initiative, highlighting Ethiopia’s success in leveraging homegrown technology to drive inclusive development, as reported by TechAfrica News . The decision underscores a growing recognition of Ethiopia’s digital leadership in Africa. 

Speaking at the Africa Innovation Conference in Addis Ababa, Smart Zambia National Coordinator Percy Chinyama expressed admiration for Ethiopia’s approach. “We are keen to replicate what Ethiopia has achieved through its own domestic capabilities,” he remarked. Chinyama emphasized Zambia’s strategic shift towards locally developed solutions to enhance national ownership and sustainability.

Ethiopia’s Fayda system has been instrumental in promoting financial inclusion and social equity. Since its launch, over 12 million Ethiopians have been registered, with the goal of reaching 90 million residents. The system has notably empowered women, refugees, and internally displaced persons by providing them with legal identification, thereby facilitating access to essential services such as banking, healthcare, and education . 

In Zambia, the government is already implementing similar initiatives. The Ministry of Education’s Learning Management Platform, developed locally, is providing equitable access to the national curriculum. Additionally, Smart Zambia has launched a program to solarize all local councils, ensuring uninterrupted digital connectivity for public services across the country.

Dr. Benson Banda, Director of the National Science Centre under the Ministry of Education, reported that more than 5,000 teachers in 84 districts are actively using the Learning Management Platform. He highlighted the platform’s mobile compatibility as critical in supporting the new curriculum rollout.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Rose Sakala, commended Ethiopia’s leadership in digital governance and lauded Smart Zambia’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity within public institutions.