Ethiopia has launched Africa’s first “smart” police station operating without permanent on-site staff, marking a major step in the country’s push to modernize law enforcement through digital technology.
The facility is made up of individual booths equipped with digital tablets instead of traditional service counters or waiting rooms, allowing citizens to file reports and interact with officers remotely.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to integrate technology into security services and improve efficiency in police operations.
During the pilot phase, uniformed officers remain present at the location to guide visitors and demonstrate how the system works.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the project as part of a wider digital transformation agenda aimed at building a more responsive and effective police service under the Digital Ethiopia 2030 initiative.
Authorities say the system is designed to simplify access to police services, shorten complaint processing times and expand coverage in areas where staffing traditional stations is difficult.
In its first week of operation, the station handled only three reports, including a lost passport, a financial fraud case and a routine complaint, highlighting the early testing phase of the technology-driven model that aims to strengthen public service delivery.
