Kenea Yadeta (PhD), former defence minister and currently national security advisor to the Prime Minister, spoke of Ethiopia’s government continued pressure, claiming a place in the Red Sea geopolitical arena.
The number of registered mobile money accounts, alongside more than 57 million Telebirr subscribers and 9.6 trillion Br in digital transactions during 2024. The “Digital Ethiopia 2030” strategy document puts Ethiopia’s entire population at 130 million. Taken at face value, almost one mobile-money account for every Ethiopian, including infants and people without phones, despite persistent rural, literacy and connectivity gaps. However, one person may hold accounts with Telebirr, M-Pesa and other providers; dormant accounts remain counted; and multiple SIMs can generate multiple registrations. According to the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) data released in March 2025, only about 46pc of adults had access to formal financial services by the end of 2023.
Ethio-Post generated more than 3.8 billion Br in revenue during the 2025/26 fiscal year, up 30pc from the previous year, as the state-owned postal service met key performance targets and concluded its “Deep & Broad” strategy.
The enterprise handled more than six million letters and parcels during the year, delivering 97.2pc on time. It also reported that non-mail business activity exceeded 700 million.
The results were disclosed at the close of a four-day national performance review held earlier this August at the African Leadership Academy of Excellence on Zimbabwe Street, Welo Sefer.
Describing the performance as a foundation for further growth, Ethio-Post has launched a three-year strategy to expand its service offerings and improve operations over the coming years.
Abay Bank and Visa launched the Abay Classic International Prepaid Visa Card, allowing customers to make international payments, withdraw cash from automated teller machines (ATMs), and complete point-of-sale (POS) and e-commerce transactions.
The card was unveiled at the bank’s headquarters on Dej Wolde Mikael Street on August 3, 2026. Abay Bank CEO Yehuala Gessesse said customers can use it to transfer funds and make payments through ATMs and POS terminals worldwide.
Yehuala said the card reflects the bank’s commitment to advancing digital financial services (DFS) and simplifying everyday transactions. It is intended for business owners paying international suppliers, young professionals accessing global digital platforms, and travellers making cross-border payments.
Abay Bank operates 370 ATMs and 400 POS terminals.
Ethiopia’s National ID Program has been re-established as Faydaverse, a state-owned enterprise under Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH). Inaugurated on August 4, 2026, the entity is mandated to develop and operate digital public infrastructure, including biometric identity systems, electronic know your customer (eKYC) services and digital credential wallets.
Faydaverse inherits the programme’s reach of around 50 million residents, more than 150 enterprise eKYC integrations, 190 million secure authentications and more than 15 million digital credentials issued.
EIH CEO Brook Taye said the restructuring would support sustainable growth and partnerships for one of the country’s key digital assets. The move is presented as a step towards stronger governance and long-term sustainability.
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