ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS) is set to initiate an E-passport service aimed at combating illegal activities and modernizing the national passport system. This new service is expected to introduce enhanced security features and streamline operations to address the backlog of passport applications currently facing the ICS.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Service, during a media briefing on the institution’s performance over the past fiscal year, there has been a significant push to implement the E-passport. She stated that the digital design for the E-passport has been finalized, highlighting the dual benefits of deterring fake documents and enhancing customer service efficiency.
Selamawit also mentioned that the introduction of E-passports would reduce foreign currency expenditures by minimizing the need to print passports abroad. Additionally, she disclosed that residence permit identification cards for foreign nationals and IDs for Ethiopians residing abroad will be supported electronically.
Deputy Director General of ICS, Gosa Demise, added that over 51,000 IDs have been issued to members of the Ethiopian diaspora, 65 percent of whom returned to the country responding to an invitation from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. In the same period, ICS issued over 34,000 permanent and temporary resident permits to foreign nationals. Furthermore, more than 18,000 foreigners living in Ethiopia without legal documentation have been deported with penalties.