CBE Eases Fayda Linking Rules for Ethiopians Living Abroad

June 6, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has introduced temporary procedures allowing Ethiopians living abroad to continue accessing their bank accounts without immediately linking them to the Fayda digital identity system.

The move follows a directive issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia requiring bank account holders in major cities to link their accounts with Fayda identification by May 14, 2026.

CBE said customers whose overseas residency status had already been registered in the bank’s database when opening their accounts would not face account suspensions.

The bank also outlined temporary arrangements for customers living abroad whose residency information had not previously been recorded and whose accounts were subsequently restricted.

Under the new procedures, affected customers can submit documents proving overseas residency through legal representatives to have restrictions lifted temporarily.

Diplomats can also reactivate restricted accounts by presenting diplomatic identification cards or if the account was originally opened using diplomatic credentials.