The Ethiopian Bankers Association has handed over 2,000 biometric registration kits to 31 commercial banks to support the Fayda National Digital ID program. Commercial banks contributed 17 million dollars for a total of 6,000 kits, aimed at registering 40 million citizens. The initiative, in collaboration with the Ethiopian National ID Program, seeks to accelerate the government's digital identification drive.
On November 8, 2025, the Ethiopian Bankers Association (EBA) announced the handover of biometric registration kits purchased on behalf of commercial banks. The event supports the rollout of the Fayda National Digital ID system, a key government initiative to provide digital identification to citizens.
During a ceremony at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia headquarters on Churchill Avenue last Monday, 2,000 kits were distributed to 31 commercial banks in the first phase. Demissew Kassa, secretary general of the EBA, stated that the initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Ethiopian National ID Program (NIDP). He noted, 'The equipment will accelerate the government’s plan to register 40 million citizens under the national digital ID system.'
The commercial banks collectively contributed 17 million dollars to acquire 6,000 kits, with amounts proportionate to each bank's capacity and branch network. Each kit includes a laptop, fingerprint and iris scanners, and a facial recognition camera equipped with LED lighting. These tools are designed to facilitate efficient biometric enrollment at bank branches nationwide.
The remaining 4,000 kits are currently being procured and will be distributed upon arrival. This effort underscores the banking sector's role in enhancing Ethiopia's digital infrastructure and promoting financial inclusion through secure identification processes.