has been re-structured to report to the Prime Minister’s office. This was done considering the inter-sectoral nature of a foundation ID system. The program now aims to deliver digital ID to 95% of the adult population by the end of 2025.

The program was led by the Ministry of Peace (MOP), in cooperation with the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) as well as the Prime Minister's Office. At this time draft ID law was prepared, technology platform selection was made, and a laboratory-based, as well as a field-based soft pilot, was launched.

PM Office re-initiated the program with MoP and MInT, tasking them with carrying out the operation. Strategic documents had been prepared that gave the program the conceptual ground to define the major directions of the National ID program.

The idea of the National ID program was initially considered by the government of Ethiopia back in 2011. It was initiated under National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) in cooperation with the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) and other government bodies having oversight over its status. Furthermore, until early 2018, the former INVEA (currently named INS – Immigration and Nationality Service) had been coordinating the effort of establishing a digital ID platform. However, due to many challenges, previous efforts did not progress as expected and produce practical results.

During this period of time, several discussions were conducted on its advantages and importance for the sustainable development of a country and the conceptual groundwork for the current fast and pragmatic progress and potential.