Ethiopia Introduces Telebirr-Powered Digital Toll Payments on Key Expressway
The initiative forms part of Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation agenda and reflects the growing convergence of fintech and smart mobility infrastructure.
Ethio telecom, in partnership with the Ethiopian Toll Roads Enterprise (ETRE), has launched an RFID-powered digital toll payment system and service management platform powered by telebirr, enabling seamless “non-stop” travel on the Addis Ababa–Adama Expressway.
The integrated solution introduces automatic toll collection through RFID tags linked to telebirr accounts, allowing vehicles to pass toll gates without stopping. The system also enables digital payment of road service fees, penalties, and instant TOLO account top-ups within the telebirr SuperApp.
The rollout replaces manual cash-based workflows with a centralized digital platform that automates tolling, violation payments, and operational reporting. The new system is expected to reduce congestion at toll gates, improve revenue transparency, and enhance logistics efficiency along one of Ethiopia’s busiest transport corridors.
Drivers can register vehicles using RFID tags, link them to telebirr accounts, and maintain balances for automatic toll deductions. The platform also supports multi-vehicle management, enabling fleet operators to digitally manage expressway usage and payments.
The initiative forms part of Ethiopia’s broader digital transformation agenda and reflects the growing convergence of fintech and smart mobility infrastructure. The Addis Ababa–Adama Expressway serves as a key logistics artery, making the deployment a significant step in modernizing toll road operations and enabling intelligent transport services.
