Editor
“The ID is a unique identifier of a person” – Ato Mefeker Tilahun
By Melesch Zeleke
Our guest this week is Ato Mefeker Tilahun. He is the Direct Channel Sales Manager of the Southern Region at Ethio Telecom. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and has served the organization for more than 20 years. We have invited him to explain the nature, benefits, registration process, and related issues of the National Digital ID. Enjoy reading.
Morning: – On behalf of the preparation department, I would like to thank you for agreeing to our interview.
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – I would also like to thank you for the opportunity given to me.
Morning: – What does digital ID mean?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – Digital ID is a system that uses technology to uniquely identify a person by collecting biometric and demographic information from residents. Residents who have a digital ID number will be able to access services provided by the country by verifying their identity. It is intended to serve as a national and personal identifier for accessing various public services.
The goal is to register all eligible Ethiopian citizens and residents by implementing a biometric digital identification system nationwide.
Ngat: What is the process of registering for ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: The digital ID application, registration and verification services are based on the free consent of the registrants, and in addition, it includes the option if the registrants want to permanently lock their information after registration. Any registrant must fill out a consent form before registering. The consent document states why the information provided by the registrant will be used for the service, and that the registration is based on full consent. Not only when registrants register, but also when receiving verification services, it should be based on their full consent.
Registrants must provide biometric and demographic information during registration. In this regard, ten fingerprints, an eye print and a photo of the registrant are considered biometric information, while full name, date of birth, residential address, nationality and gender are considered demographic information.
After the subscribers enter their information into the central database, a unique 12-digit number is sent to them via text message. Each subscriber has a unique number that is unique to each other. Once used, this number is permanent and can be used for life. It will also be uniquely linked to tax identification numbers (TINs) and similar accounts. In addition to text messages, it is also being made available to citizens and residents through a mobile application and printed ID cards.
Ngat: What is the benefit of ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: Benefit National Digital ID is an identification system that allows individuals to verify their identity and serves as a reliable and fast full-time digital authentication for service providers. Its benefit is: It is an accurate and legal identity verification that provides the fundamental “right to be known”.
It is an identification system that provides equitable access to all areas, including communities at different income levels and in urban areas. With biometric identification, the loss of a person’s card or certificate does not mean the loss of identity. It increases the credibility of transactions between service providers and users; which allows for efficient service delivery. It promotes accountability and transparency in all economic, social and policy-related matters of the country.
Ngat: Who can get a digital ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: All legal residents of Ethiopia are eligible for the Fayeda digital ID. The “draft proclamation” defines a resident as “a natural person legally residing in Ethiopia, whether or not an Ethiopian citizen, and a foreign national residing or working in Ethiopia in accordance with the laws of the country.” This includes children over the age of 5 who can register. We will soon start a special registration program for children under the age of 5. Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians with proof of residency, proof of address or not; people who have proof of residency in Ethiopia “according to the proclamation” and do not have any documentation of where they live, can register by bringing a digital ID as a witness. Any person eligible for registration must provide an acceptable proof of identity as specified on id.et/proof.
Ngat: What information is collected during Fayeda registration?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: Only demographic and biometric data are collected, which are collected only to uniquely identify the individual. For demographic data, full name, date of birth, gender, nationality and current address are collected. For biometric data, fingerprints, irises and facial photographs are collected for complete identification measures. Other information such as phone number and email address are used as an option to provide a unique FIN (Fayda Identification Number) to the registrant.
Ngat: How long does it take to get a Faida Digital ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: If the required prerequisites are met, Faida Digital ID registration takes an average of 5 to 10 minutes.
After successfully registering, the system will process your registration and verification process. After that, your FIN (Faida Unique Number) and FAN (Faida Alternative Number) will be sent to your registered phone number via text message. In some cases, it may take more than a few days for manual and other verifications. You will receive your unique number via text message from “9779 or the National Digital ID Service Center” on your phone or you can also verify it from the National Digital ID website. A person can update their demographic information (full name, phone number, address, etc.) and biometric data at any time online or in person. This service will be available after a certain period of time and is currently not available for updating.
Ngat: What information is required for registration?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: A valid current address and proof of identity are required. If an individual cannot provide valid documents to register, a person with a digital ID can register by providing a witness.
During registration, applicants can register by providing any proof of identity. This includes ID, passport, Ethiopian National Identity Card (Yellow Card), birth certificate, educational certificate, work permit. If applicants are unable to provide a document to verify their identity, they can register based on the testimony of an individual registered for digital ID and with a unique number. Therefore, registration through a witness helps prevent individuals who are unable to provide evidence for various reasons from being excluded from the ID issuance service. In addition, the pre-registration service can be registered online in the program.
Ngat: – How can I recover my FIN if I lose it?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – It is recommended to keep the Fida number carefully so that it does not get lost. If you accidentally lose it or do not receive it by text message, you can use your smartphone to log in to the Fida application on the Telebr Super App and send the unique number to your phone mailbox or you can track the request by sending it to our website id.et/help
Ngat: Is it mandatory to register for Fayida Digital ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: Fayida Digital ID is not a right but an obligation. However, the Digital ID Proclamation states: “With the approval of the relevant supervisory/regulatory institution, any entity may make digital ID a mandatory requirement for providing services.
Ngat: Can foreign nationals obtain a digital ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: Yes; Foreign nationals legally residing in Ethiopia can obtain a digital ID using their resident ID or other related documents.
Since digital ID is provided not only to citizens but also to residents to ensure inclusion, refugees, migrants, foreign workers and asylum seekers have the right to obtain a digital ID. People who have lost their fingerprints or have been physically disabled for various reasons can register by providing an eye print as an alternative, thereby ensuring inclusion.
Ngat: Does Fayida Digital ID have an expiration date?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – A digital ID is a unique lifetime identification number for an individual. However, the card and biometric information must be renewed at a certain time. Currently, the card and biometric information are renewed every 10 years.
Ngat: – How can I get a printed digital ID card?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – To get a card printing service, you can go to the Ethiopian Post Service (Ethio Post) headquarters and complete your payment. Before going for the card printing service, you should make sure that the unique number has been sent to the phone number you registered with. You should also have the phone number you registered for the digital ID with you when you come for card printing and make sure that it is the same as the text message sent. If you do not receive the unique number, you can check our website id.gov.et/help.
Ngat: – What is the relationship between digital ID and Kebele ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – It does not replace; City and regional government resident ID cards are issued by local governments. However, “Faida” digital ID is issued nationwide. Work is underway to make both “Kebele” and “Faida” work hand in hand. Digital ID is used to verify basic identity and access services, while Kebele ID is a practical identification document that shows the residency of a specific area. Digital ID is a unique identifier of a person that can be issued anywhere in the country by an authorized body without any restrictions on the place of residence. On the other hand, Kebele ID can only be issued in the Kebele where they live.
Ngat: – Finally, do you have any message you would like to convey about digital ID?
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: – It is an identification system that ensures the human right of citizens to be identified, protects beneficiaries from fraud and abuse, saves time and resources, and is proven to be reliable. The identification system is based on the full consent of the registrants, and places restrictions and restrictions to protect personal information.
Entities that hold any information about registrants may not transfer the information to any other entity or use it for any purpose other than the purpose for which the registrant was registered and requested the verification service. Registrants may not collect any information other than the information specified in the proclamation. This prevents registrants from being discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, political opinion, or health status. Any entity that collects information other than that necessary for digital identification, as well as any entity that illegally transfers registrant information to a third party, may be held liable by law.
Since digital identification has great benefits for socio-economic and political services, I would like to convey my message that every citizen can benefit from the service.
Ngat: Thank you again for your explanation.
Ato Mefeker Tilahun: Thank you too.
The Ethiopian National ID app can be downloaded from the App Store at
and from the Play Store at
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