| Full Title: The proclamation is officially titled “Proclamation No. 1284/2023 Ethiopian Digital Identification Proclamation”. Short Title: It may be cited as “Ethiopian Digital Identification Proclamation No. 1284/2023”. Publication Date: The proclamation was published on 18th April 2023. Effective Date: The proclamation entered into force on the date of its publication in the Federal Negarit Gazeta, which was 18th April 2023. Issuing Authority: It was proclaimed in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, signed it. |
The “Ethiopian Digital Identification Proclamation No. 1284/2023” establishes a comprehensive framework for a Digital Identification System in Ethiopia. This crucial legislation defines the legal standing and evidentiary weight of the Digital Identification, aiming to modernize identity verification across various sectors.
Evidentiary Value of Digital Identification
The Proclamation clearly outlines the significant evidentiary value assigned to the Digital Identification, making it a cornerstone for proving identity within the country.
Legal and Sufficient Evidence
The Proclamation explicitly states that Digital Identification may be taken as legal and sufficient evidence to prove or authenticate a Resident’s identity. This designation means it is legally recognized as adequate and compelling proof of an individual’s identity in various contexts.
Basis for Unique Identity
The Digital Identification System is meticulously designed to be an organized and highly reliable foundational identification system. It achieves this by assigning a Unique Number to each Resident, which is derived from the collection of both Demographic and Biometric Data in a central database. This Unique Number is distinct because it is non-repeating, immutable, irrevocable, and permanent once successfully issued to a Registrant following the registration of their Biometric and Demographic Data.
Components of Identity
The integrity and uniqueness of the Digital Identification rely on two primary types of data:
- Demographic Data: This includes, but is not limited to, essential information such as the first name, father’s name, grandfather’s name, nationality, date of birth, gender, and domicile address. Optionally, additional details like mother’s name, phone number, email address, and postal address may also be collected to enhance identification.
- Biometric Data: This encompasses unique physical attributes such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial photographs, which are utilized for the precise and unique calculation of a person’s identity. In specific situations, such as physical injury preventing other biometric collection, a facial photograph alone may suffice.
Authentication and Trust
The overarching goal of the digital identification system is to significantly enhance an individual’s ability to exercise their rights and improve trust between service providers and residents. By creating a nationwide environment for transparency, accountability, and efficiency, the system facilitates the easy and reliable identification of individuals seeking services across various platforms.
Supporting Services and Relying Parties
Digital Identification serves as a primary source of identification for a wide array of governmental and non-governmental entities. It aims to streamline and facilitate the transition of traditional service-oriented identifications towards a unified Digital Identification System. Individuals are empowered to obtain authentication services from Relying Parties (organizations or individuals that use the digital ID to verify identity) based on their Digital Identification, enabling secure and verified interactions.
Privacy and Consent Safeguards
A fundamental principle enshrined in the Proclamation is that the Registrant is the rightful owner of their personal data collected for the Digital Identification System. Consequently, any authentication processes or access to services must be performed only with the explicit consent of the Registrant. The Proclamation rigorously ensures that the confidentiality of personal data is maintained, generally prohibiting the disclosure or transfer of data without the Registrant’s consent, unless specifically authorized by law or mandated by a court order. This emphasis on privacy aims to build trust and protect individual data rights within the digital identification ecosystem.