The new Ethiopian passport will incorporate advanced security measures to prevent counterfeiting, while featuring cultural and historical landmarks such as Aksum, Gondar, the Great Wall of Jegol, and coffee production sites on its internal pages. A key improvement is the transition to domestic production and control, moving away from the previous practice of printing passports abroad.
The modernization effort reflects a broader global trend of countries upgrading their travel documents with biometric capabilities. Similar initiatives have recently been announced by the Dominican Republic and several West African nations.
Deputy Director Ato Biki notes that the new system addresses security vulnerabilities present in the current manual visa issuance process. “The new system ensures that all residency permits, visas, and passports will be processed digitally, enhancing security and efficiency,” he stated.
The Immigration and Citizenship Service has established new passport fees. Standard processing costs 5,000 ETB, while two-day expedited service is 25,000 ETB. Five-day expedited service costs 20,000 ETB, and replacement fees for lost or damaged passports range from 13,000 to 40,000 ETB.
The upgrade addresses security concerns, including reported cases of illegal passport booklet distribution in Uganda and Somaliland. The integration of biometric features aims to make counterfeiting extremely difficult and meets international standards for secure travel documentation.
Sources: Addis Insight, The Reporter Ethiopia
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February 18, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
