A new digital citation system for traffic enforcement in Addis Ababa has led to frustration among drivers due to lack of notifications and unexpected fines. The Addis Ababa Traffic Management Agency's initiative, aimed at improving efficiency, has instead created confusion for the city's 1.4 million licensed drivers. Reports highlight patchy communications and an opaque process in the rollout.
Addis Ababa's traffic management has entered a new era with the introduction of a digital ticketing system by the Addis Ababa Traffic Management Agency (AATMA). Launched to digitize enforcement and enhance transparency, the system targets the city's notoriously congested roads. However, the rollout has backfired, leaving drivers facing ballooning fines without prior warnings.
The initiative promises efficiency but has turned into a challenging experience for the 1.4 million licensed drivers in the capital. Many report receiving no text messages or notifications about violations, only discovering fines later through bills that arrive unexpectedly. This lack of communication, combined with bureaucratic opacity, has blindsided motorists navigating the morning rush amid thin mist and engine growls.
Critics describe the process as disjointed, morphing from a modern solution into an ordeal reminiscent of bureaucratic nightmares. The system's patchy implementation underscores ongoing struggles to modernize urban services in Ethiopia's capital. As of December 2025, the agency has not addressed these concerns publicly, leaving drivers to grapple with the unintended consequences of this digital push.