African Ambassadors Visit MESOB Headquarters, Observe Ethiopia’s Digital Government Services

Addis ababa: African ambassadors and delegates from various embassies are visiting the headquarters of Ethiopia's integrated government service platform, MESOB Center, to learn about the country's progress in digital public service delivery. During the visit, MESOB CEO Yonas Alemayehu briefed the diplomats on the platform's achievements during its first year of operation, including the integration of government institutions, expansion of one-stop service centers, and introduction of digital and mobile services.According to Ethiopian News Agency, MESOB currently operates more than 100 branches and provides over 100 government services to thousands of citizens, Yonas said, adding the centers were developed using local expertise and resources and are designed to provide inclusive services, including for people with disabilities. He explained that volunteers, supervisors and facilitators assist citizens in accessing services, while digital systems allow users to obtain information, receive queue notifications, and submit complaints and feedback.Yonas noted that integrating government institutions has been among MESOB's major achievements, helping create a more transparent and accountable system for public service delivery. He also emphasized the role of human resources and technology, noting that employees undergo recruitment examinations and specialized training, while the digital systems have been developed by Ethiopian engineers using open-source technologies.Beyond its physical service centers, MESOB has introduced a mobile bus service that provides door-to-door services to citizens who face difficulties traveling to service centers, including elderly people. The organization has also launched Unified MESOB, an online platform that enables citizens to access government services through mobile phones.The CEO said the organization is increasingly focusing on rural communities, with plans to establish community service centers that will bring government services closer to rural residents while improving digi tal literacy. He said MESOB is expected to become a major gateway for government services, allowing institutions to deliver their services through a single integrated platform.The organization is also preparing to introduce Smart MESOB, a self-service model that will enable citizens to access services independently. A new MESOB center is under development at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport to provide government services to travelers and other users.Yonas further said Ethiopia intends to share its experience in digital government with other African countries. Plans are underway to strengthen digital cooperation with neighboring countries, including Djibouti, South Sudan, and Kenya, as part of broader efforts to contribute to the development of a continental digital ecosystem.Meanwhile, construction is underway on a major government service complex in Addis Ababa, which is expected to accommodate more than 480 service counters and bring services provided by various ministries and government institu tions together under one roof. The visit is providing the African diplomats with an opportunity to observe Ethiopia's progress in integrated digital government services and learn about its efforts to expand access, improve efficiency, and promote digital cooperation across the continent.