The Ministry of Innovation and Technology announced plans to develop a national digital addressing system aimed at reducing Ethiopia’s reliance on Google’s GPS services. The initiative, still in the planning stage, is led by the Space Science and Geospatial Institute and forms part of a broader effort to modernize urban infrastructure and geospatial data management.

Currently, Ethio Telecom pays Google between 20,000 and 25,000 US dollars annually to access GPS and location-based services. Officials said the planned digital address network will eventually provide a local alternative for navigation, support public service delivery, and strengthen national control over geospatial data.

The programme is expected to roll out over the next decade, covering 73 cities, with initial implementation planned for 18 cities by the 2027 fiscal year. Authorities highlighted that the system could support urban planning, e-commerce, emergency response, and reduce economic and national security risks associated with dependence on foreign GPS providers.