In the last nine months of this Ethiopian Fiscal Year a transaction of more than 1.2 trillion Birr has been carried out through digital payment system across the country, Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Aseffa said.

While presenting the government’s nine-month performance report of the 2015 fiscal year to state ministers, members of the House of Peoples’ Representative (HPR) and heads of various institutions, Fitusm mentioned that the government is focusing on digital finance to build an inclusive economy.

Work is being done with policy and procedures she said, adding that the number of mobile money transfer technology users has reached more than 60 million.

Accordingly, she pointed out that more than 1.2 trillion Birr has been transferred through digital payment in nine months.

The minister stated that this is a 169 percent increase compared to the 454.31 billion digital money transfer in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Ethio Telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamru on her part said that implementing the strategy of digital Ethiopia is being carried out with due attention.

She mentioned the introduction of targeted fuel subsidies into the technology system and the on going efforts to commence electronic tax payment system.

Frehiwot mentioned that efforts are also being made to expand access to financial services by establishing a wide telecom infrastructure so that the economy can benefit the society more, noting the activities being underway to increase the number of internet users.

The CEO stated that to ensure digital economy and financial inclusion in the future, there should be a consistent, integrated and properly controlled digital implementation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency