Ethiopia is testing a new approach to policing with the introduction of unmanned “smart” police stations designed to allow citizens report crimes digitally.

Unlike traditional police stations filled with officers handling paperwork and suspects, the new system relies mainly on touchscreens where visitors can file reports.

At these stations, individuals enter a room equipped with tablets, select the type of issue they want to report — such as a crime, traffic incident, or general concern — and then type in the details of their complaint.

The report is then sent to a police officer at a different location who appears on the screen to continue the conversation and record the statement.

If necessary, patrol officers are dispatched to the location mentioned in the report.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader digital transformation programme known as Digital Ethiopia 2030, which aims to modernise public services by moving many systems from physical offices to digital platforms.

For now, the smart police station project is still in its early stages. Staff are stationed at the facility to assist first-time users, resolve technical issues, and guide people through the reporting process.

In its first week of operation, the station recorded three cases, including a lost passport, a financial fraud report, and a routine complaint.

However, challenges remain. According to UNESCO, nearly 79 percent of people in Ethiopia still lack internet access, particularly older citizens, low-income communities, and residents in rural areas.

Although traditional police stations remain fully operational, authorities are using the project as a pilot to test whether digital reporting could become a practical option for the future.