Funded by IPA's Displaced Livelihoods Initiative and in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia's Refugees and Returnees Service, researchers are conducting a randomized evaluation to measure whether receiving a digital national ID called Fayda improves economic well-being and social inclusion for refugees.

Globally, approximately 850 million people lack official, government-issued identification documents, with populations living in fragile and conflict-affected contexts disproportionately affected. This ‘identity gap’ perpetuates cycles of poverty and exclusion by preventing access to formal employment, financial services, education, healthcare, and government services. 

Researchers are partnering with the Government of Ethiopia's Refugees and Returnees Services to conduct a randomized evaluation to examine the impact of integrating refugees into Ethiopia’s national digital ID program ‘Fayda.’ Fayda, which provides refugees with a form of government ID that is valid and well-known across the country, will be gradually rolled out. Capitalizing on this rollout, the researchers will assess the impact of receiving a Fayda ID on economic wellbeing and social inclusion across 2,800 refugee households. This research will contribute to a growing literature on the impact of the formal documentation and inclusion of refugees, with global implications for national refugee policy.

Project ongoing.

Implementing Partner