• Ethiopia launched the MESOB digital platform on June 20 to centralize access to more than 185 public services through a single government application.

• The platform uses the national digital identity system Fayda and connects multiple government databases to streamline administrative processes.

• The government positions MESOB as a cornerstone of its 2025-2030 digitalization strategy and plans to expand the platform across all ministries and public agencies.

Ethiopia officially launched the unified digital platform MESOB on Saturday, June 20. The government designed the initiative to centralize access to public services and accelerate administrative modernization. Officials unveiled the application during the “Digital for Excellence” summit. The platform seeks to simplify administrative procedures for citizens and accelerate the digital transformation of the public sector.

The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute developed MESOB as a government super app. The platform allows users to access more than 185 public services through a single account linked to the national digital identity system, Fayda. Users can obtain identification documents, complete tax procedures, apply for business licenses, secure work permits and carry out investment-related formalities through the platform.

Moreover, the platform connects databases across multiple government agencies. This integration eliminates the need for citizens to submit the same information repeatedly and reduces physical visits to public offices. According to government authorities, the integrated system will shorten processing times, improve administrative transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption associated with manual procedures.

The launch of MESOB aligns with a broader global push to develop Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Governments typically build these systems around three pillars: digital identity, data-sharing platforms between public institutions and online service delivery.

Across Africa, several countries, including Rwanda, Kenya and Morocco, continue to invest in digital public infrastructure. These investments aim to improve access to public services and support the digital transformation of national economies.

MESOB represents one of the pillars of Ethiopia’s 2025-2030 government digitalization strategy. The platform relies heavily on Fayda, Ethiopia’s national digital identity system. Fayda had registered more than 20 million users as of July 2025 and had already connected 55 institutions.

During its pilot phase, which began in April 2025, MESOB brought together 12 federal institutions and 41 public services. The government now plans to expand the platform progressively across all ministries and public agencies in the country.

Samira Njoya