Ethiopia Brings Digital Identity, Payments and Financial Inclusion to UNGA 81 Spotlight
Addis Ababa, September 24, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has highlighted its progress in digital financial inclusion, digital identity and digital payments at a high-level side event held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The event, convened by the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations in collaboration […]
Black News 
Addis Ababa, September 24, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has highlighted its progress in digital financial inclusion, digital identity and digital payments at a high-level side event held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The event, convened by the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), brought together ministers, development partners and private-sector representatives to examine how digital financial inclusion can accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The gathering highlighted Ethiopia’s expanding innovation ecosystem, the Fayda national digital identity system, the country’s rapid transition toward digital payments and the development of digital public infrastructure, underscoring their growing role in creating new pathways for economic opportunity, productivity, enterprise development and improved livelihoods.
Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, highlighted the country’s digital transformation journey and the milestones achieved in building the foundations for digital payments, digital identity and digitally enabled public services.
Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum Assefa Adela, delivering the keynote address, emphasized Ethiopia’s policy frameworks and progress in digital financial inclusion as important drivers of SDG implementation.
She underscored a shift from treating digital finance simply as a financial product toward developing it as national infrastructure, supported by Digital Ethiopia 2030, the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, Fayda, interoperable payment systems and BRIDGE 2030.
Prime Minister’s Advisor on East African Affairs Getachew Reda highlighted the broader economic significance of digital financial inclusion, noting its potential to strengthen economic dynamism, inclusivity and productivity.
UNCDF Executive Secretary Pradeep Kurukulasuriya emphasized the importance of capital for small businesses and emerging enterprises to invest, expand and create jobs, particularly as financing constraints continue to affect businesses in developing markets.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development Navid Hanif commended Ethiopia’s progress and highlighted the broader significance of digital transformation and financial inclusion for inclusive and sustainable development.
The discussions emphasized the need to move beyond expanding access toward ensuring the productive use of digital financial services, while scaling successful national innovations through stronger investment, partnerships, South-South cooperation and regional integration.
