Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has signed service-level agreements with eight digital financial service (DFS) providers, marking a significant step in the country’s national digital health strategy. Facilitated with support from the Finance Ministry, the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Health Insurance Service, and the Better Than Cash Alliance, this initiative aims to establish a coordinated digital payment system across the health sector.
The agreements pave the way for digital payment integration in all public hospitals, with plans to expand to health service centers. Key players include telebirr, M-Pesa, and major banks such as the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Tsedey Bank, Oromia Bank, and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia.
Health Minister Mekdes Daba (M.D.) emphasized that digitization will enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in healthcare services. Industry leaders, including Nael Hailemariam, CEO of Chapa Financial Technologies, highlighted the potential for broader digital transformation, including the introduction of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to streamline medical records and administrative processes.
This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s Digital Health Blueprint, which envisions improved service delivery through technology, including remote healthcare, digital health payments, and system-wide data exchange. As Ethiopia accelerates its digital transition, collaboration across sectors will be key to ensuring a seamless and inclusive health payment ecosystem.
Source: Shega Media
