PM Abiy Bets on Mesob: Ethiopia’s New Drive Toward a Paperless Public Sector
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Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) inaugurated the Mesob Center yesterday, a one-stop digital hub that integrates 41 public services under a fully paperless system, with plans to expand across all ministries.
The Mesob Center, a pilot project aimed at broader national digitization, consolidates services from 12 federal government agencies into a seamless digital platform. Highlighted initial services include licensing and digital ID registration, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Addressing parliament last month, Abiy had hinted at the imminent launch of the project, drawing on the symbolism of “Mesob” — a traditional Ethiopian platter where various dishes are served together — to illustrate the integration of services. During his half-year budget address, he confirmed that all ministries would eventually be incorporated into the Mesob system.
The Prime Minister also noted that the project was developed locally by the Civil Service Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Development. He emphasized that the days of making separate trips to the revenue office to pay taxes, the trade ministry to obtain business licenses, and the bank to access funds would soon be a thing of the past.
The digitization of public services has been a major pillar of Ethiopia’s civil service reforms in recent years. Public procurements, various utility payments in Addis Ababa, and even fuel purchases have moved onto digital platforms. As Abiy underscored, these initiatives are crucial in modernizing government operations, enhancing efficiency, and improving customer experience.
Ethiopia’s national digital ID project, Fayda, has so far registered over 13.5 million citizens, with an ambitious target of reaching 70 million by year’s end.
In a related push for digital governance, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology launched the National Business Portal (NBR) last month. The portal offers step-by-step guidance for prospective investors, integrates digital payment systems like Telebirr and CBE Birr, and provides complaint management and case tracking services.
Such initiatives could significantly improve Ethiopia’s ease of doing business ranking, where it currently sits at 159th out of 190 countries, according to the latest World Bank index.
Nonetheless, challenges remain. In last year’s United Nations E-Government Development Report, Ethiopia ranked 24th from the bottom out of 193 countries. Although the country advanced 10 places compared to its previous standing, it remains categorized in the lower-middle tier with a first-level rating.