In a significant move to overhaul public service delivery, the Addis Ababa City Administration Revenues Bureau and the Trade Bureau have officially prohibited over 7,000 employees from using personal mobile phones during regular working hours. The directive, which took effect on March 30, 2026 (Megabit 21, 2018 E.C.), follows extensive discussions between management and staff at both headquarters and branch offices.
The Revenues Bureau justified the strict measure by citing systemic delays in service delivery. Officials noted that employees were frequently observed engaging with their phones or using office computers for personal matters while taxpayers waited for assistance. By removing these distractions, the bureau aims to ensure that civil servants remain fully dedicated to their professional duties during the workday.
Similarly, the Addis Ababa Trade Bureau has implemented a locker system for its staff. According to Mr. Ashenafi Berhanu, the bureau’s Communications Director, the department has undergone a massive digital transformation, reducing its workforce from 1,500 to just 40 specialized professionals who manage online trade registrations. Despite this automation, customers reported that staff members were often distracted by social media platforms like TikTok or lengthy private calls when issues required manual intervention. Under the new rules, employees must lock their phones and personal bags in designated lockers before starting their shifts.
While the city administration frames this as a necessary step toward professionalism and digital efficiency, the decision has sparked a debate regarding workplace ethics and employee rights. Critics argue that a blanket ban on mobile phones is an “analogue solution to a digital problem.” Opponents of the policy suggest that in the modern era, total restriction may be impractical, especially for parents or caregivers who may need to be reachable for family emergencies.
Furthermore, some labor analysts suggest that the focus should be on performance-based monitoring and output quality rather than physical restrictions. There are concerns that such a rigid environment could negatively impact staff morale and lead to a “command-and-control” culture that stifles employee autonomy. Skeptics also point out that if the underlying digital infrastructure (the “system”) is slow or prone to downtime, removing phones will do little to improve the actual speed of service.
The city administration remains firm, however, stating that the policy has already shown positive results during a two-month trial period. Officials maintain that the priority is the taxpayer’s time and the successful implementation of Ethiopia’s broader “Digital 2025” strategy.