️ A new 'smart' police station (SPS) opened in the Bole district of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, represents the latest chapter in the country's bid to catch up with the digital revolution. This pilot project is currently operating in a test mode, with its functioning demonstrated by the police's head of technology expansion department, Commander Demissie Yilma. The station features no traditional front desk or waiting bench, instead having partitioned booths with tablet screens glowing inside.

️ Inside a booth, a user taps a screen, selects the type of incident—such as a crime, traffic report, or general concern—enters details, and presses a button to submit the report. Then, a real police officer working remotely appears on the screen to ask questions and record information. Demissie emphasizes that if there is a problem, officers respond immediately and patrol the area mentioned by the reporter. In its first week last month, the station received just three reports: a lost passport, a financial fraud case, and a routine complaint.

️ The government's initiative is part of a broader move to change how citizens interact with the state. The national strategy 'Digital Ethiopia 2030', launched last year, serves as the government's blueprint for digitizing public services, from identity systems and payments to courts and public administration. However, the proportion of Ethiopians with internet access remains quite low, meaning the country has lagged behind others on the continent in terms of digital transformation.

️ Senior software engineer Birhan Nega Cheru from Addis Ababa expresses pleasure with the shift but also recognizes security and privacy issues, along with the danger that 'those who are not digitally literate can easily be scammed'. He notes that urban users, younger people, businesses, and those with smartphones and skills benefit most, while older people, rural communities, and low-income groups are at risk of being left out. According to a UNESCO report last year, 79% of the country's citizens are not connected to the internet.

️ Technology policy analyst Zelalem Gizachew argues that the government's strategy has been chipping away at the digital divide. He acknowledges that digital literacy remains a challenge but highlights that the 'Digital Ethiopia 2030' strategy emphasizes training and skills, not just technology. Zelalem points to measurable changes over the past five years, including a boom in digital payments with trillions of birr moving through electronic transactions, a sharp expansion in broadband access, and the digitization of more than 130 government services.

Source: www.bbc.com