Since joining the global Digital Public Good Alliance (DPGA) in 2023, Ethiopia has made significant progress in developing a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). This initiative supports the country’s transformation objectives outlined in the Ethiopian Digital 2025 strategy and the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda.

As part of this effort, the National ID Program (NIDP) has introduced the FaydaPass wallet, a pioneering solution designed towards its first service of enhancing financial inclusion and streamlining digital transactions. This wallet, co-developed by leveraging expertise and product support from TECH5 and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, is designed for a diverse and inclusive user base and addressing the critical need for verified eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) services in both the private and public sectors.

The Fayda Digital ID wallet will revolutionize how residents access digital services. The Fayda wallet streamlines obtaining a digital copy of the Fayda credential by allowing users to simply download the official app and request their digital ID credential through the wallet. This secure credential, generated using data from the robust Fayda ID system, is then delivered directly to the user’s phone as a verifiable credential (VC). The name “Fayda,” meaning “value” in many Ethiopian languages, underscores the wallet’s core purpose: to empower citizens.

NIDP’s Executive Director Yodahe Zemichael said “A credential wallet would be a container for government and private sector issued standardized verifiable credentials. It’s an exciting new way of delivering value to citizens and extending the functionality of Fayda Digital ID.” 

The Verifiable Credential, which adheres to self-sovereign identity (SSI) principles, enables secure online and offline verification for various use cases, including payments and access to e-government services. Once activated, users can open a bank account with Coopbank and receive a virtual Visa card for instant payments.

In a significant step forward, Coopbank becomes the first to leverage the Fayda wallet, enabling seamless new bank account openings through advanced biometric eKYC verification.

The CEO of Coopbank, Mr. Deribie Asfaw, said, “As a bank committed to digitization and financial inclusion-the two core passions of our bank-our collaboration on this remarkable platform enables us to reach financially marginalized communities who have long been excluded from the formal financial system due to the absence of such robust infrastructures. This brings us one step closer to the community and reinforces our commitment to leaving a meaningful mark on the country’s digital transformation journey. As it allows us to live our purpose of Empowering Communities and Transforming Lives, we are truly delighted to take part in this impactful initiative.

TECH5 has worked and co-developed with the mentioned partners the wallet offering and the infrastructure behind it that not only will serve as the credential holder but also a delivery channel for other services. Fayda will serve as the trust anchor, enabling the building of highly secure and privacy-preserving foundational rails, such as payment, data, and communications. TECH5 has also worked with NIDP to build and deploy the necessary trust framework, align with the governance framework, and the rails. This solution will become an enabler for service providers within the country. 

The Fayda ecosystem utilizes several technologies, including:

• KeyShare Digital Wallet: A secure platform for managing digital identities.
• TECH5’s T5-AirSnap: Contactless multi-biometric capture technology.
• TECH5’s T5-OmniMatch: Liveness and matching technologies for eKYC and digital onboarding.

“We are proud to partner on a solution that empowers Ethiopia, unlocking numerous use cases for its citizens,” said Rahul Parthe, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CTO. “This ecosystem is a vital step in the country’s digital transformation.”

Visa, in collaboration with Coopbank, delivers the digital payments infrastructure essential for facilitating transactions within Ethiopia. 

“We are thrilled to support the launch of the Fayda Wallet, a groundbreaking initiative that will significantly enhance financial inclusion and streamline digital transactions in Ethiopia. This collaboration underscores Visa’s commitment to empowering communities through innovative digital payment solutions. By leveraging advanced biometric eKYC verification, we are paving the way for secure and seamless financial services that will benefit millions of Ethiopians.” – Added Yared Endale, Cluster Head, Eastern Africa & Country Manager – Ethiopia.

In addition to smartphone users, the Fayda solution includes virtual or “custodian” wallets accessible through government-appointed agents, ensuring inclusivity for those without smartphones. These agents can securely manage accounts using citizens’ biometrics, maintaining compliance with W3C standards and EU eIDAS frameworks.

The Fayda Digital ID wallet will be officially introduced in the presence of NIDP, TECH5 and VISA at the 2025 ID4Africa conference from May 20-23rd in Addis Ababa.