The official commencement of the first-ever digital lottery in Ethiopia is a landmark that will significantly improve digital transformation in the country. Launched on 12 April 2025 at the Skylight Hotel, this was a watershed moment in modernising lottery operations in the country. Dignitaries who attended the event included senior officials, lottery winners, Ethiopian Lottery Service management, and other stakeholders.
A new era for lottery operations in Ethiopia
During the launch ceremony, ELS Chief Executive Officer Beza Girma explained the rationale for starting the programme as part of a bigger picture to modernise and digitise ELS’s services. “In its six decades as the only regulator and operator of lottery games in Ethiopia, ELS has adopted technology to become more accessible and efficient,” said Beza.
TAMCON Software Solutions, in partnership with ELS, completed the development of a massive digital lottery platform. With a 50 million Birr (USD 374,112) jackpot and support for eight Ethiopian languages, the lottery system deepens its commitment to inclusivity, allowing for more involvement in the lottery.
Beza discussed some challenges experienced in the previous paper-based lottery. According to her, “the traditional paper-based lottery system has hindered growth due to high printing and logistics costs.” Migrations to a digital format will ease these challenges with drastic savings in operational costs and increased access to lottery services. The digital lottery concept is also expected to generate a lot of revenue for the and positively impact Ethiopia’s economy.
Convenience and transparency for users
With the launch of the digital lottery system, users can now purchase tickets online securely using various digital platforms, including mobile phones, computers, websites, and SMS. This innovative approach is expected to be a convenient and transparent experience for millions of Ethiopians who wish to access lottery services.
In her statement, Beza emphasised the implications of digitalisation even more. “This is a significant step toward digital inclusion and economic modernisation,” she underscored, reiterating that the approach supports the government’s vision of nurturing a digital economy. ELS will enable an inclusive financial environment for citizens by extending the reach of lottery services without relying on physical infrastructure.
The new system will improve not only the user experience but also the efficiency of operations in fulfilling Ethiopia’s major digital development goals. With more citizens subscribing to this platform, ELS is committed to creating a culture of transparency and integrity in lottery operations, which ultimately fosters public trust and engagement.
There was a lot of excitement surrounding the launch, and one can clearly say that a move into a digital lottery represents a landmark project in Ethiopia’s quest for being more modern, upscale, and technologically advanced in its economy. With the potential of benefitting millions directly, this development in lottery service will be an important player in shaping the future not only of lotteries but of the digital service ecosystem in the country. This initiative will be carefully monitored in the coming days, providing the basis for Ethiopia to experiment further along its digital path.
