The World Health Organization (WHO) in Ethiopia has fully digitised its fuel management system by adopting Ethio-Telecom’s TeleBirr e-payment platform to improve accountability.
Monssan Basile Yapo, WHO Ethiopia’s senior operations officer, said the UN health agency’s migration to Ethio-Telecom’s e-payment system for all fuel transactions will boost transparency and efficiency across its nationwide operations.
He stressed that the paperless transition aligns with Ethiopia’s national digital transformation drive and sets a new benchmark for operational transparency within the UN system.
Since April 2024, Ethiopia’s Petroleum and Energy Authority mandated all fuel purchases to shift from paper coupons to digital systems. WHO Ethiopia, which operates a fleet of 89 vehicles supporting public health interventions across both urban centres and remote outposts, embraced the change through a phased rollout.
“This shift represents more than just a change in payment methods. It’s about building a smarter, more responsive operational framework that supports our health teams in the field with minimal disruption and maximum accountability,” said Yapo
TeleBirr’s SMS-based platform proved to be a strategic choice, especially in rural and underserved regions with weak internet connectivity, when the UN health agency serves communities in the Horn of Africa’s rugged and remote areas.
With over 52 million users nationwide, it enables WHO offices to disburse funds via secure e-wallets, track fuel purchases in real-time, and eliminate the risks and inefficiencies associated with manual coupons.
Kalkidan Alemayehu, WHO transport officer, added that staff are now equipped to purchase fuel quickly and securely, without the need for cash or paperwork, directly from the agency’s headquarters in Addis Ababa to distant health outposts.
“The impact is already visible. Fuel transactions are traceable, misuse has been curbed, and administrative burdens reduced,” he stated.
Ayenachew Zewdie, WHO ICT focal person, acknowledged that the digital shift initially came with a few challenges, as some staff unfamiliar with mobile payments required targeted training.
The hitches were quickly ironed out when WHO’s Operations, Finance, ICT, and Transport teams worked closely with field offices to ensure a smooth transition.
“Change is never without its learning curve, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Now, we have a smarter system that puts control and accountability at our fingertips,” he said.
Zewdie highlighted that by adopting TeleBirr, WHO Ethiopia has positioned itself as a model of innovation and demonstrates how digital-first approaches can improve efficiency.
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