Ethiopia’s National ID Program has been reestablished as Faydaverse, a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) under Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), marking a significant step in the country’s digital transformation agenda and the expansion of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

The new entity will be responsible for developing, operating, and scaling trusted digital public infrastructure that supports citizens, businesses, and public institutions. By joining the EIH portfolio, Faydaverse is expected to benefit from enhanced corporate governance, strategic investment, and operational support aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of Ethiopia’s digital identity ecosystem.

The transition represents an evolution of Ethiopia’s National ID Program into a dedicated institution focused on delivering secure, interoperable, and citizen-centered digital services while maintaining its public mandate.

Building on the achievements of the National ID Program, Faydaverse begins operations with a substantial digital footprint. The Fayda Digital ID ecosystem has reached nearly 50 million residents, enabled more than 150 enterprise eKYC integrations, facilitated 190 million secure authentications, deployed over 12,000 registration kits, and issued more than 15 million digital identity credentials.

The organization plans to expand a range of digital public infrastructure services, including biometric digital identity platforms based on the principle of “one person, one identity,” electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) solutions, Single Sign-On (SSO) services, trusted digital credential wallets, and broader digital public infrastructure integrating identity, payments, and consent-based data sharing. It also intends to provide advisory and implementation services to institutions undertaking digital transformation initiatives.

Faydaverse also aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s position in Africa’s digital economy by sharing expertise in large-scale digital identity systems and supporting digital public infrastructure initiatives across the continent. The organization plans to collaborate with governments and technology partners in support of continental initiatives such as Smart Africa and African Continental Free Trade Area.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Chief Executive Officer of Faydaverse said the organization builds on the bold decisions made during the early stages of the Fayda Digital ID program, noting that its inclusive approach and early focus on authentication helped position Ethiopia as an international reference point for digital public infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, Dr. Brook Taye, said digital public infrastructure has become a key driver of economic growth, financial inclusion, and efficient public service delivery. He added that bringing Faydaverse into the EIH portfolio would strengthen governance, attract strategic partnerships, and support the organization’s long-term growth.

The establishment of Faydaverse marks a new phase in Ethiopia’s efforts to build secure and inclusive digital infrastructure, reinforcing the role of digital identity as a foundation for economic participation, public service delivery, and the country’s broader digital economy.