Ethiopia announces the launch of its national digital payment strategy
December 11th 2025
Ethiopian authorities want to make the country a key player in Africa’s digital transformation. They are implementing a roadmap to better control digital payments in the country.
Ethiopia launched its National Digital Payment Strategy (NDPS 2026-2030) and an instant payment system on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The announcement was made at the second Digital Payment Conference held in Addis Ababa.
This initiative is a continuation of the “Digital Ethiopia 2025” strategy and marks a further step towards modernizing the Ethiopian financial ecosystem. It aims to accelerate the country’s transition to an inclusive, cashless digital economy by strengthening access to digital financial services and fostering technological innovation.
“ The rapid evolution of technology is stimulating demand for financial services. […] Ethiopia is increasingly recognized as a booming market with immense digital potential ,” said the Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, Eyob Tekalign.
The 2026-2030 strategy plans to strengthen the inclusivity of financial services, create interoperable systems for cross-border payments and develop a national data exchange system, thereby consolidating the foundations of a robust digital market.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, improved access to technology directly contributes to economic growth and improves citizens’ daily lives. He noted that key services, such as utility payments, have migrated to digital platforms. This has been facilitated by the arrival of Safaricom Ethiopia and the strengthening of internet connectivity.
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