A Historic Milestone for Ethiopia’s Gaming Sector
Ethiopia has entered a new chapter in its gaming and economic development journey with the official launch of the country’s first government-sanctioned digital lottery. Unveiled during a national ceremony led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the initiative marks a historic milestone, blending cutting-edge technology with a strong social impact agenda.
Inclusive, Tech-Driven Platform
Seven years in development, the lottery system was created in partnership with European gaming technology provider International Lottery Systems. Designed to be widely accessible, the platform supports both smartphone and feature phone users via Android/iOS apps and a USSD shortcode (*#878#), ensuring reach across all demographics. The system is integrated with Telebirr, Ethiopia’s leading mobile money service with over 18 million users, enabling seamless transactions and promoting financial inclusion.
Transparent and Rewarding Gameplay
Prizes range from small instant wins to life-changing progressive jackpots. What sets Ethiopia’s lottery apart, however, is its focus on transparency and impact. A blockchain-based draw verification system ensures fairness, while a publicly accessible dashboard will track how revenues are spent.
Gaming for Growth: A Nation-Building Mandate
Under its “Gaming for Growth” framework, 50% of lottery proceeds will go directly to players, while 30% will fund hospital construction and medical equipment, 15% will support vocational education centers, and 5% will be allocated to problem gambling prevention.
“This isn’t just a lottery—it’s a tool for national development,” said Selamawit Dawit, Director General of the National Lottery Administration. Projections suggest the initiative could generate $28 million for healthcare projects in its first year alone.
Responsible Gaming at the Core
To promote responsible gaming, Ethiopia’s model incorporates biometric KYC verification, age-based spending limits (capped at 500 birr daily for players under 30), and collaborations with UNICEF on addiction prevention.
Looking Ahead: Expansion and Regional Integration
With plans to expand to physical retail terminals, introduce sports prediction games, and develop cross-border jackpot pooling with Djibouti and Sudan by 2025, Ethiopia’s digital lottery sets a new standard for socially responsible gaming across Africa.
