Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared that Ethiopia is now in a strong position to safeguard its data transactions, framing the country's digital infrastructure as a vital shield for national sovereignty. Speaking during the launch of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, the prime minister stated that the nation has reached a level of technical "posture" that allows it to actively defend its digital data and financial systems.

Dr. Abiy explained that this defensive capability is a cornerstone of the new strategy, designed to protect the country from international fraud and cyber threats. He warned that without a unified digital database—underpinned by the Fayda National ID—Ethiopia would remain vulnerable. By integrating institutional data, the government aims to better track cross-border identities and protect the nation’s natural resources from exploitation.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the economic strategy behind the shift, noting that moving away from a traditional "cash-heavy" culture would significantly reduce the massive costs the state incurs when printing physical currency. However, he emphasized that technology alone is not enough; the system relies on a "bond of trust" between the government and its citizens regarding data privacy. Without this trust, he remarked, digital tools would be "hollow efforts."

During a fireside chat session on the 2030 vision, the Prime Minister turned his focus to the social impact of the digital age. While he insisted that Ethiopia needs a tech-savvy generation to thrive, he cautioned that this progress must not lead to "cultural erosion." He urged social media influencers to be discerning about the global trends they adopt, ensuring they do not clash with Ethiopian values. Rather than banning applications, Dr. Abiy stated that Ethiopia’s priority is to raise a generation that is "disciplined and conscious" in how it engages with the digital world.