A more connected Africa: Zambia and Ethiopia join forces on digital ID
When I first began working with the Government of Zambia through the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) to support the rollout of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), one challenge stood out clearly, the lack of a trusted digital ID system. Without it, citizens struggled to access digital services easily, and many government systems remained fragmented.
This reminded me that digital transformation is not just about technology or connectivity; it is about people. For citizens to truly benefit from digital platforms, they must first be able to prove who they are, securely and conveniently. That realization became the starting point of the government’s journey to strengthen its foundational digital ID system.
On September 29, 2025, the Government of Zambia, through its Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and the Smart Zambia Institute, formalized a partnership with the National ID Program (NIDP) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The cooperation establishes a partnership to co-design and implement secure and inclusive digital identity systems across both countries.
As we witnessed officials from Zambia and Ethiopia signing the cooperation agreement in Addis Ababa, it was clear this was more than a ceremonial handshake, it marked the beginning of a shared digital journey. Two nations, separated by distance but united by purpose, coming together to ensure that every citizen is recognized, included, and empowered through access to a secure digital identity.
“This partnership demonstrates Africa’s commitment to building secure and interoperable identity systems that empower people and enable service delivery across borders,” said Percy Chinyama, National Coordinator at the Smart Zambia Institute.
Working Together, Learning Together
One of the most rewarding aspects of this partnership has been the open exchange of knowledge, from sharing lessons on Zambia’s journey to integrate platforms for e-services, to learning how our Ethiopian colleagues designed Fayda to be inclusive from the start, ensuring it is accessible even in rural areas. This is a reminder that when we design for people first, technology follows naturally.
Over the past few years, the Government of Zambia has made significant progress in laying the foundations of its digital transformation. Through the Government e-services Portal (ZamPortal), citizens can now access a growing range of digital services such as road fitness certificates, immigration services, and land and deeds services, among others. We have seen firsthand how integrating digital payments, data exchange, and identity verification is transforming how government delivers services faster, more transparently and inclusively.
In Ethiopia, the government through the Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project has advanced the Fayda Digital ID, an open, scalable, and interoperable system designed to give citizens a trusted digital identity. We were impressed by how Ethiopia has embedded open standards and vendor neutrality into its approach, ensuring long term sustainability and digital sovereignty.
As we interacted, I realized that experiences from both countries complemented each other. Zambia’s work on digital payments and e-services aligned well with Ethiopia’s deep experience in foundational ID. Both countries have placed digital sovereignty at the center of their strategies and are ensuring they build the right capabilities to manage and sustain the data, technology, and infrastructure needed for these core systems.
Together, we agreed to collaborate and accelerate progress by learning directly from one another, sharing technical expertise, and developing homegrown solutions that respond to our shared challenges such as: ensuring digital ID systems remain interoperable across platforms and expanding access to digital ID for citizens in underserved areas with limited digital literacy and connectivity.
“Through this partnership, Ethiopia and Zambia are reaffirming that Africa’s digital future will be built on collaboration, trust, shared values, and technology ownership,” shared Yodahe Zemichael, Executive Director, National ID Program of Ethiopia.
Digital Identity as a Bridge to Opportunity
Across Africa, the conversation on digital transformation is shifting. We are no longer talking only about connectivity; we are now focusing on building integrated digital systems that make connectivity meaningful.
In both Zambia and Ethiopia, the governments are taking a use case-driven approach, linking ID registration and verification to tangible services such as social protection, mobile money, and civil registration. By demonstrating real life benefits, both countries are building public trust and showing that digital identity can truly make everyday life easier and more equitable.
Looking Ahead
This cooperation also complements Agenda 2063, the African Union’s vision of a digitally connected and integrated continent. Through this partnership, Zambia and Ethiopia are setting a precedent for regional solidarity in digital transformation, lowering implementation costs, accelerating adoption of best practices, and strengthening Africa’s collective capacity to design, own, and govern its digital future.
At the World Bank, we continue to support countries in designing and implementing Digital Public Infrastructure that is open, inclusive, and resilient, while strengthening national capabilities to govern and sustain these systems.
For us, this partnership is more than a milestone. It is a model for South-South Cooperation demonstrating that when we work together, we exchange knowledge and technology, and most importantly, we build confidence, capabilities and empower our communities.
World Bank Support
Both the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) and Ethiopia’s Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project are supported by the World Bank to help build trusted, interoperable, and inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the foundation for a digital economy that works for everyone.
These projects are part of the World Bank’s broader regional agenda to accelerate digital transformation in Africa, helping countries strengthen core systems for digital identity, connectivity, payments, and data exchange, the building blocks of an inclusive digital society.