Addis Ababa, February 21, 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopia's introduction of a new electronic passport equipped with advanced security features and cutting-edge technology marks a significant leap forward for the country, President Taye Atskeselassie noted. An electronic passport (e-passport) domestically produced was unveiled at Science Museum today. President Taye said on the occasion the incorporation of cutting-edge travel documents and advanced security features into the new electronic passport are major achievements. The implementation of the e-passport not only enhances the country's positive image but also reflects the value it placed on its citizens, he added.   The president further stated that the passport plays indispensable role in preventing fraud. Modern documents, in addition to facilitating smooth movement of people, promote trade, and are essential for securing legal employment opportunities. Moreover, the e-passport will ensure quality and transparent service delivery to citizens. On her part, Immigration and Citizenship Service Director-General, Selamawit Dawit, explained that the e-passport contains biometric information, including fingerprints, facial recognition data, and electronic chip.   She stated that the e-passport has enhanced security features designed to streamline immigration procedures and prevent fraudulent information and forgery. Furthermore, Selamawit affirmed that this will reduce the risks of producing counterfeit passports or using another person's passport for illegal purposes. The director-general also highlighted the e-passport's significance in effectively controlling Ethiopia's air and land borders and safeguarding national security. The passport's interior pages feature images showcasing Ethiopia's heritage and historical sites, and it differs from the previous passport in color and design. The passport meets international standards and has secured international recognition.   The e-passport was produced domestically by the Ethiopian Investment Holdings and TOPPAN Security Ethiopia Share Company. Present at the inauguration ceremony were high government officials, including House of People's Representatives Speaker Tagesse Chafo, House of Federation Speaker Agegnehu Teshager, Federal Supreme Court President Tewodros Mihret, Deputy President of the Prosperity Party and Head of the Democratic System Building Coordination Center Adem Farah, and others.

Addis Ababa, February 10, 2025 (ENA)—Starting from the early days of this week, France will be the centre of the artificial intelligence (AI) debate, with the official beginning of the third edition of the AI Action Summit. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is co-hosting the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, in an effort to involve more global actors in AI development. The geopolitics of artificial intelligence will be in focus at this major summit in Paris where world leaders, technology executives and experts will try to hammer out agreements on guiding the development of the rapidly advancing technology, it was reported. They are also anticipated to discuss ways of safely embracing artificial intelligence at a time of mounting resistance to heavy-handed red tape that businesses say stifles innovation. It’s the latest in a series of global dialogues around AI governance with two previous editions held in the UK in 2023, and a smaller gathering in Seoul, South Korea, last year.   It also comes amid the meteoric rise in popularity of the low-cost Chinese foundational model DeepSeek, which has shaken up the industry. The Paris Summit aims to achieve three major objectives: Provide access to independent, safe and reliable AI to a wide range of users; develop AI that is more environmentally friendly; and ensure global governance of artificial intelligence that is both effective and inclusive. The Summit will focus on five major themes, including public service AI, future of work, innovation and culture, trust in AI, and global governance of AI. The summit is expected to announce a key outcome—a foundation that will look at AI in the public interest to cater to the needs of the Global South.

Addis Ababa, February 6, 2025 (ENA) -- Mastercard has announced the opening of its first office in Uganda, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across East Africa. This strategic move underscores Mastercard's dedication to fostering financial inclusion and accelerating digital transformation in the region. With Uganda’s economy projected to grow at 6.2 percent by 2025, the country is poised for sustained expansion. Mastercard’s physical presence in Kampala aims to enable deeper collaboration with local stakeholders to deliver tailored solutions that address the unique needs of Ugandan consumers and businesses, contributing to this growth. Mastercard’s efforts align with the government's ‘Digital Uganda Vision,’ a transformative initiative to harness digital technologies for national development. As part of this commitment, Mastercard and the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance have signed an MoU to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions that enhance government services and drive financial inclusion. Last year, in compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, Mastercard was granted a Payment System Operator (PSO) License by the Bank of Uganda. This license endows Mastercard to provide essential services such as settlement and clearing operations within Uganda, further enabling the company to act as a payment system operator for domestic transactions. The opening of the Kampala office is part of Mastercard's broader strategy to expand its footprint across Africa, with existing offices in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Port Louis, and Accra.

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2025 (ENA)—Through the implementation of Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, Ethiopia has reached critical stage to build inclusive digital economy and improve government services, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh stated. Speaking at the official opening of an exhibition and workshop on Ethiopia's digital transformation journey at the Science Museum, Temesgen highlighted the country's ongoing efforts in technological advancements. Since its launch, Digital Ethiopia Strategy has laid a strong foundation for economic growth and digital transformation, the deputy prime minister said. Starting from 2012 Ethiopian fiscal year, Ethiopia has been implementing the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy to seize the opportunities and address the challenges posed by technological growth. The deputy prime Minister emphasized that the government's expansion of critical infrastructure is essential to fostering a digital economy that ensures equitable access for all Ethiopians. He also pointed out the implementation of new legal and operational frameworks that have significantly transformed the digitalization of government services, enabling faster and more efficient services for citizens.   Acknowledging the private sector's proactive role in expanding data centers and introducing new digital services, DPM Temesgen noted the remarkable growth of digital financial services, payments, and electronic commerce during the strategy’s implementation. Temesgen underscored the critical foundational activities that have been carried out to build a robust digital economy. Regarding key digital infrastructures identified in the Digital Ethiopia Strategy, he cited the digital national identity card, implemented since 2014 Ethiopian fiscal year, as one of the most important steps. To this effect, the deputy prime minister revealed that over 1,000 registration sites have been established across the country in recent years, where more than 11.5 million citizens have been successfully registered. The government has established digital transformation council to facilitate the integrated transition of digital transformation ensuring its security, efficiency, citizens’ benefits, protect wastage and fosters rapid progress.   DPM Temesgen highlighted the development of Digital Government Strategy and the Electronic Commerce Strategy to further accelerate the digital transformation. These strategies, which will soon be approved and implemented, are expected to play a pivotal role in improving service delivery, modernizing business practices, and creating a more inclusive digital society. Recalling the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy is nearing to end, the deputy prime minister noted that preparations are already underway for the development of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy.

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2025 (ENA)—African heads of state, business leaders, and development partners have converged today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit. They are anticipated to commit to ambitious reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. Mission 300 is an unprecedented collaboration between the African Development Bank, the World Bank Group, and global partners to address Africa’s electricity access gap using new technology and innovative financing. Nearly 600 million Africans lack electricity, which is crucial for development and job creation, it was learned. Several heads of state and government from Africa are joining more than 1,000 other participants—with strong representation from the private sector—at the January 27-28 summit. Together, they will chart Africa’s course toward universal access to energy. This week’s summit is expected to yield two significant outcomes: the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, outlining commitments and practical actions from African governments to reform the energy sector, and the first set of National Energy Compacts, which will serve as blueprints with country-specific targets and timelines for implementation of critical reforms. In the first phase, 12 countries will present their energy compacts: Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other African countries are expected to develop their compacts in subsequent phases. The partnerships forged and commitments made by the continent’s leaders and changemakers gathering in Dar es Salaam this week will shape the continent’s journey toward achieving universal energy access, transforming millions of lives, and driving sustainable development and job creation

Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025 (ENA) ----Ethiopia has been achieving impressive achievements in digital transformation, according to the Innovation and Technology. A three-day Internet Development Conference (IDC) that aims to address connectivity challenges, enhance regional cooperation, and foster the growth of a robust internet economy among countries of the IGAD region opened today. Opening the conference, Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla said the conference is a testament to the tremendous progress made in advancing the digital landscape in Ethiopia and the broader IGAD region. The internet has become an indispensable tool for economic growth, social development, and communication, he noted, adding that cross border connections empower individuals and drive innovation. According to the minister, Ethiopia is experiencing remarkable progress in digital transformation. “Ethiopia has achieved impressive milestones in expanding telecom infrastructure, though still there are a lot of gaps that needs to be addressed. The 4G coverage is expanded to 34.8% of the population and the 5G services is launched in 14 towns.” The number of mobile subscriber base has topped 80.5 million and broadband users have surpassed 45 million. These and initiatives like Telebirr, with over 51.54 million users, “demonstrate the power of digital innovation to drive financial inclusion and transform how Ethiopians conduct transactions,” he added.   While celebrating achievements, the minister stated that Ethiopia remains aware of the challenges that lie ahead, stressing the need to continue bridging the digital divide by ensuring that all Ethiopians, regardless of their location or background, can reap the benefits of the digital revolution, prioritizing cyber-security, data privacy, and digital literacy to guarantee that the digital future is secure and equitable. At present, Belete revealed that the nation is laying the groundwork for an even more ambitious vision, Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy. The strategy aims at realizing building a truly inclusive and prosperous digital future for Ethiopia on the successes of the current initiatives. The minister further reaffirmed his country’s commitment to work closely with IGAD countries to address internet challenges and to build a more inclusive and interconnected digital future for the IGAD region and beyond by exploring ways to improve Internet infrastructure, enhance digital literacy, and promote responsible use of the internet. On his part, Internet Society Ethiopia Chapter President Asrat Mulatu stressed the importance of regional collaboration and collective commitment in enhancing digital infrastructures to address challenges of unevenly distributed internet access, limited infrastructures and cyber security threats.

Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025 (ENA) ---- The Internet Development Conference (IDC) 2025 Kicked off in Addis Ababa to lay the foundation for a stronger, more integrated Internet ecosystem in the IGAD region, The three-day conference brought together key players to address the region’s connectivity challenges, enhance regional cooperation, and foster the growth of a robust Internet economy. It is anticipated to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking, and collaboration on critical initiatives such as establishing Internet Exchange Points and supporting community networks across the region. The objective of the conference is to lay the foundation for a stronger, more integrated Internet ecosystem in the IGAD region, which includes countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Djibouti. Particularly, the conference would identify key obstacles affecting internet development in various IGAD countries and explore practical solutions. In this regard, the conference is expected to facilitate cross-border learning and exchange of technical expertise to improve internet infrastructure; encourage collaboration among countries in the sub-region to support the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area; and foster the growth of community networks in underserved areas.

Addis Ababa January 9/2025 (ENA)—Youth trainees from Afar, Sidama, and Harari regions have commended the impact of the ‘Five Million Ethiopian Coders’ training in helping them perform better. Recall that the 5 million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, the large-scale capacity-building project for the country’s youth, was launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in July, 2024. The trainees told ENA that Ethiopian coders training is instrumental for youth to quickly adapt to modern technologies emerging in changing circumstances. Shambel Mohammed, an expert at the Ethiopian Electric Utility in Afar region, said the Ethiopian coders training has enabled him to carry out his job better. Stating that working with digital technology is the preferred way at the global level, he added that taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the government enables acquiring skills that allow you to connect with different countries around the world.   Another expert from Sidama Regional State Science and Technology Agency, Robel Daniel said the training is crucial in enabling the generation to quickly adapt to modern technologies in the fast changing world. For Robel, the training is crucial to realize the country's ambitions in its endeavors to build a digital economy by producing a skilled workforce. On his part, Ethiopian Coders Trainer at Harari Regional State Innovation and Technology Agency, Idris Sefa noted that technology has been making life easier. According to him, the training will help the youth to keep pace with the timely demands, especially by understanding and using digital and complex technologies. It is also vital to enable the country to reach the global level in digital technology, he added. The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders initiative aims to provide digital literacy training for 5 million Ethiopian youth, equipping them with essential digital skills for education, life, and work. The program will empower the youth in technology which equips them to seize on economic opportunities. Developing digital literacy among citizens, especially youth, is crucial for competitiveness and inclusive growth. Equipping the youth with digital literacy will enable them to actively contribute to Ethiopia’s development.

Addis Ababa January 5/2025 (POA)—Kagool, a leading global data and analytics group, and Micro Tech London is navigating Ethiopia’s opportunities in the information technology as well as emerging technologies sectors. Kagool also disclosed its plan to open its regional delivery center in Addis Ababa, it was learned A delegation from the group has visited Ethiopia to assess opportunities in these spheres, according to the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. The delegation have had successful meetings with Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Information Technology, Director Generals for Information Network Security Agency, and Artificial Intelligence Institute, CEO for ICT Park, Director General for Ethiopian Diaspora Agency, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Acknowledging Ethiopia’s growing competitiveness and government’s commitment to harness opportunities in the sector, the delegation has decided to continue partnership with the Government in the sector. The decision by Kagool to open its regional delivery center in Addis Ababa is also anticipated to bring the latest digital transformation and AI capabilities into Ethiopia and across Africa using Addis at its gateway.

Addis Ababa January 4|2025 (ENA)—The Ministry of Innovation and Technology and Ethio Telecom have outlined strategies to accelerate Ethiopia's transition to a digital economy. Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Mola visited the Ethio Telecom Experience Center today, where he discussed the nation's digital transformation journey with Ethio Telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamru. Minister Belete emphasized Ethio Telecom’s critical role in the Digital Ethiopia 2025 transformation, commending the company's significant strides in digital services and Telebirr. He also outlined plans to enhance digital skills through initiatives in e-government, e-commerce, innovation, startup creation, research, smartphone infrastructure, and expanding access to digital services for all citizens. The minister also highlighted that the goal is to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of digital services across the country. On her part, Ethio Telecom CEO, Frehiwot Tamru explained Ethio Telecom's ongoing efforts to provide digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas DEthiopia. According to the CEO, Ethio Telecom has been executing numerous initiatives in digital financial services, social responsibility, and Telebirr digital solutions. She also highlighted the company's substantial contributions to improving efficiency in sectors such as agriculture, education, health, industry, mining, transport, finance, and tourism, through projects like the Smart City initiative. Both Ministry of Innovation and Technology and Ethio Telecom reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on a joint platform to accelerate Ethiopia's digital transformation, ensuring that citizens benefit from a more inclusive and accessible digital future.

Addis Ababa January 2/2025 (ENA)— Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla underscored that Ethiopia’s ongoing endeavors in the spheres of space science and geospatial have been contributing to the growth of the national economy. Senior leaders of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology and other relevant institutions visited the Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSG) and the Entoto Observatory Center today. Currently, Ethiopia has been leading in space endeavors in the Horn of Africa by building an astronomical observatory and creating a fully-fledged national space agency. Through its own space programs, the East African nation is employing the programs to accelerate development in various sectors such as in agriculture, industries, and health, it was indicated. Following the visit, Minister Belete stressed the need for Ethiopia exploiting all its capabilities to develop and utilize technology, adding that that would create opportunities for the country to use and control resources not only on Earth but also in space in the future. Noting that the sector has a broad scope that encompasses all activities from Earth to space, the Minister underlined that institutions should work through collaboration to maximize the benefits that Ethiopia is anticipated. According to him, national endeavors in the space science and geospatial sectors are contributing significantly to the growth of the national economy. Particularly, Minister Belete elaborated on the encouraging results that centers for crop monitoring, geodetic infrastructure services, urban development monitoring, water monitoring, rural information monitoring, disaster monitoring, and digital mapping services are bringing about. These centers are providing support for the effectiveness of the nationwide development activities that have been carried out in various sectors, he pointed out. Belete further emphasized the importance of establishing close ties with universities and secondary schools to stimulate Ethiopia's youth and create an educated generation in space science and geospatial fields. On his part, Director General of the Space Science and Geospatial Institute, Abdisa Yilma said that we are successfully implementing our plans as a country.

Addis Ababa December 31/2024 (ENA)—The 5 million Coders initiative aims to build a globally competitive digital workforce, Head of the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Cabinet Affairs Alemtsehay Paulos remarked. The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute held the first-round summary program for its 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative. Graduates of the program included leaders and staff of the Institute, as well as members of AI clubs from various schools who completed their training. The event was attended by prominent officials, including Alemtsehay Paulos, Worku Gachena, Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, and other senior government representatives. During the event, Alemtsehay emphasized the government’s strong commitment to realizing Digital Ethiopia 2025. She highlighted the significant progress being made in empowering human resources, particularly through the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, which is designed to build a workforce capable of competing on a global scale. She also expressed encouragement that the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has made it a priority for all its employees to participate in the training. The Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Worku Gachena also spoke about the benefits of the initiative, noting that all Institute staff have gained valuable skills from the training.   He added that the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is central to achieving the vision of Digital Ethiopia. Among the Institutes employee, who completed the training, said the training enabled them to acquire basic digital skills in web programming, Android development, data science, and artificial intelligence. One of the employees Bezawit Wondmagegn said the training helped her to upgrade skill and knowledge. The other trainer Amanuel Humsa on his part said in this technology world the training would enable us to be competitive in the fields area in software development, web design among others. The initiative aims to equip 5 million Ethiopians with essential digital skills in web programming, Android development, data science, and artificial intelligence over the next three years. The program is driven by the belief that "the generation learns, the generation trains, and competes with the world," fostering technological knowledge and preparing participants to be competitive and competent on the international stage.

Addis Ababa December 20/2024 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla stressed the need for reinforcing collaborations to enhance the Asia-Africa innovation and technology development endeavors. The Ministry of Innovation and Technology held discussion on ways of possible collaborations with the Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI). The discussion aims to further strengthen ties between Asian and African countries in the fields of innovation and technology, it was learned. During the discussion, Minister of Innovation and Technology Belete Molla explained Ethiopia's ongoing endeavors on digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable technology solutions. Ethiopia considered the aforementioned spheres as pillars of the country's growth strategy, the minister revealed. He added his ministry is prioritizing the development of a strong innovation ecosystem by stimulating startups, technology transfer, research and development. He also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment for partnerships with international bodies and private sector actors for further innovation and technology advancement. Belete also stressed the importance of strengthening the sector's ongoing efforts to ensure that Ethiopia remains at the forefront of technological development in the region, as well as collaborating with international organizations such as AACCI. Collaborations to carry out innovation and technology development activities in a coordinated manner among Africans should be supported. On his part, Chairman of the Asian African Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AACCI), Dr. GD Singh, noted that Ethiopia is making commendable progress in innovation and technology sphere. He also expressed his desire to work together to support the East African nation’s endeavors and achieve this goal. Singh further urged Ethiopia to focus on startup development, technology transfer, human resource development and business activities in the sector. The two sides discussed the need for greater cooperation in technology transfer, research and capacity building to boost industrial growth in Ethiopia and across Africa.

Addis Ababa December 14/2024 (ENA)—The Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MoIT) has disclosed that the implementation of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy has led to a significant increase in the number of internet users. The Strategy has already exceeded 42 million internet users. By addressing the existing gaps of the strategy and building an inclusive digital economy, the ministry has revealed that the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy is under preparation. State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Yishurun Alemayehu told ENA that the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, aligned with Homegrown Economic reforms, has accelerated national reform efforts. Over the past four years, substantial progress has been made in the implementation of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, he said. Among the key initiatives that have driven the sector’s growth, the liberalization of the ethio telecom sector, issuing 10 percent of shares to private investors, has helped the digital sector to expand very fast, the state minister said. Accordingly, she said the implementation of Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy has raised internet users from 17 million to 42 million. Furthermore, the strategy also fostered accessibility of electricity, development and number of additional data centers by both the government and the private sector. “When the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy was first launched, there were approximately 17 million telecom and internet users. Today, that number has more than doubled to over 42.5 million. Alongside, access to electricity services has also been significantly improved. The government has built large-scale data centers, and private sector investments have contributed to the construction of three 3-level data centers,” the state minister emphasized. The establishment of high-capacity data centers in the ICT Park has created favorable conditions for both domestic and foreign investors to participate in the sector. He also noted that the activities carried out in the ICT Park over the past four years have fostered a conducive environment for investment, job creation, talent development, and the exchange of knowledge. He added, “Efforts have been made to provide numerous government services online and to date, over 800 government services have been launched and are available for use. In addition, progress has been made in developing electronic commerce with an e-commerce strategy already in place and the government has also prepared digital government and e-government strategies, both of which will soon be approved and implemented”. The government has launched the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders program to build a digitally skilled society, he recalled.

Addis Ababa December 11/2024 (ENA)—Addis Ababa city has been accelerating smart city efforts encompassing expansion of technology and infrastructure, the city administration revealed. The Innovation and Technology Development Office Head of Addis Ababa city administration, Solomon Amare emphasized the critical role of fast network speeds in delivering digital services. To this end, the city administration is collaborating with Ethio Telecom to deliver high-speed network services, given the capital’s importance as a seat of the African Union and the host of numerous international organizations. Currently, there is a national push for 'smart cities' amongst the leadership to incorporate into the country’s urbanization strategies, particularly Addis Ababa city administration is working hard to become a smart city hub in Africa. ​​​​The head noted that a key aspect of this transformation is improving the efficiency and digitalization of service delivery among city institutions. The initiative will be implemented across 58 institutions and 120 districts within the city's 11 sub-cities, with a total investment exceeding 280 million Birr, Solomon said. The “City Net” technology aims to modernize systems for tax collection, vital event registration, and complaint submission, significantly improving the city's service delivery capabilities. "This collaboration has led to the creation of 'City Net,' which connects all government institutions within the city through a unified network infrastructure," Amare stated. He added that this initiative represents a significant advancement, enabling effective sharing of data and resources among institutions. According to him, the ongoing efforts to digitize procedures encourage institutions to render digital services by transitioning from manual to electronic and online services. For instance, the Investment Office has already implemented such changes, allowing citizens to apply for permits and renewals from home, he said.

Addis Ababa December 10/2024 (ENA)—President Taye Atsek-Selassie visited today a newly inaugurated state-of-the-art “Quality Village”, constructed in Addis Ababa at a cost exceeding 5.3 billion Birr. The “Quality Village” is a landmark national quality infrastructure project initiated several years ago during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s tenure as Minister of Science and Technology. The institutions housed within Quality Village include the Ethiopian Standards Institute, Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise, Ethiopian Metrology Institute, Ethiopian Accreditation Service, and Ethiopian Technology Authority. During his tour, the President Taye witnessed facilities equipped with advanced laboratory tools designed to uphold the quality of products and services in health, construction, agriculture, food and beverage, as well as industrial inputs. Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, alongside leaders of the Quality Infrastructure Institutions, briefed the President on the importance of Quality Village that would enhance the quality assurance services by strengthening the country’s overall quality framework. State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Endalew Mekonnen, highlighted the construction of the Quality Village. Moreover, State Minister for Trade and Regional Cooperation, Abdulhakim Mulu (PhD), emphasized the village’s potential to significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth by ensuring the quality of import and export products. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and enhanced capabilities, Quality Village positions Ethiopia to align more effectively with international standards, reducing technical barriers and enabling greater participation in global trade.

Addis Ababa December 10/2024 (ENA)—Some 360,000 youths are taking part in the “Five Million Ethiopian Coders” training program across the country, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) disclosed. This initiative is aimed at equipping the youth with coding skills and fostering digital literacy, with the broader goal of training five million young Ethiopians in coding to boost the country's technology sector and create more opportunities for employment and innovation. The project envisages training five million youth on web programming, developing android, data science, AI and to enable them acquire skills on basic digital technologies over the coming three years. Launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as a collaborative program between Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the ”Five Million Coders" program is highly anticipated to accelerate the country's digital transformation. Most importantly, the project aims to enhance the technological knowledge of young Ethiopians, making them competitive and capable on the global stage, with the slogan: “Let a generation learn, let a generation train, compete with the world.” Approached by ENA, State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Yeshurun Alemayehu said the Five Million Ethiopian Coders program is being closely monitored and evaluated every week, with quotas set for regional and city administrations. ​​He explained that the implementation structure extends from federal levels down to districts, ensuring proper oversight of the training efforts. “Since the launch of the program, 360,000 trainees have registered, and over 78,800 have received certifications,” he underscored. According to him, the project is progressing well under close supervision to accelerate a digitally skilled society, vital for advancing the goal of a “Digital Ethiopia.” These internationally recognized training programs, such as Android programming, are opening up job opportunities both locally and internationally for graduates. Young people trained in Android programming will have access to various job opportunities in this field.

Addis Ababa December 7/2024 (ENA)—Ethiopia has the potential to take the lead in the digital economy, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Director for Africa Emmanuel Manasseh revealed. Recall that Ethiopia has made significant strides in its transition to a digital economy in recent years as the country’s digital transformation strategy is based on a holistic approach, integrating principles of sustainable development, national development goals, and pan-African aspirations for digital transformation. Speaking to ENA, the Regional Director reaffirmed ITU’s support to Ethiopia in its aspiration in the digital sphere as it is the UN agency specialized for ICT to achieve universal connectivity and digital transformation for all. “Ethiopia being our member state, we assist in connectivity, creating enabling policy, and regulatory framework,” Manasseh noted. ITU is well aligned with the work of Africa and the digital framework to make sure it delivers to the member states, the regional director affirmed. According to him, mobile money and digital inclusions are manifestations of Ethiopia’s encouraging endeavors in the digital sector. Essentially, efforts show that there is a big potential when it comes to the use of digital to transform life in the country. “I can see that the digital economy is taking place here and most of the services that the government is implementing are using digital platforms to reach people,” he further revealed. Tele Birr and other bank payment services are some of the manifestations of the digital initiatives undertaken by the government as the country is taking significant strides in transforming its payment system, it was indicated. He also lauded a 5 Million Ethiopian Coders initiative that would greatly accelerate the country’s digital transformation. “I was really fascinated by the 5 million innovators who are doing the coding. This is a really good initiative. As we look forward, we see Africa, especially Ethiopia taking the lead in the digital economy and digital jobs not only in Ethiopia but also across the world.” Ethiopia's Digital Transformation Strategy aims to harness technology to drive economic growth and transform the country into an inclusive, prosperous society by leveraging digital technologies across various sectors, it was learned.

Addis Ababa December 7/2024 (ENA)—The Director-General of the Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute, Pavel Khimchenko, disclosed that the Institute has been offering lectures to Ethiopian students to ignite their passion for Earth sciences. The institute gave lectures for students recently and screened a geological documentary as part of the “Karpinsky Geological Class in Addis Ababa” project. These initiatives aim to inspire young minds, spark interest in Earth sciences, and strengthen cultural ties between Russia and Ethiopia through engaging and interactive presentations by Russian experts. Speaking to ENA, Khimchenko shared that the Karpinsky Geological Class was launched in Ethiopia in 2023. “It’s a platform where students and school communities can come to learn about geology,” he said, emphasizing that these efforts are designed to deepen the interest of young learners in geology and related fields. He added that the lectures incorporate interactive storytelling and presentations by Russian specialists to make complex geological topics more accessible and inspiring for the next generation of Ethiopian scientists. “We have laid the foundation here and have already involved many geologists in our agenda. We are sharing our knowledge in fields such as geophysics, mineralogy, and gemology, which will help address real practical challenges here in Ethiopia,” Khimchenko explained. Stating that there are thousands of talented Ethiopian students eager to learn, he said, “What is important is not that teaching is impossible, but that knowledge is shared. You can gain this knowledge through the professors and experts who are eager to share it." Khimchenko further highlighted that Ethiopia's immense potential in mineral resources, particularly in opals and gemology spheres. “You have good gemologists, labs, and huge potential to succeed in this field, as it is a rapidly growing global industry. It’s important for Ethiopia to be involved in this global market, especially when we see other countries making significant advancements in the geological sector,” he said. He reiterated that the institute is eager to share its advanced technologies and expertise in geology with Ethiopia, fostering knowledge exchange.

Addis Ababa December 6, 2024 (ENA)—Ethiopia has been working hard to realize digital transformation through establishing reliable and inclusive internet governance, Minister of Innovation and Technology (MoIT) Belete Molla said. The second Ethiopia internet governance forum was held in Addis Ababa on Thursday with a theme “Multi-stakeholder Collaboration for Ethiopia’s Digital Future” which is part of the efforts to realize Digital Ethiopia. Addressing the forum, Belete noted that the government of Ethiopia considers the internet as the driving force of change, motor of communication and growth.   For the minister, the internet does not only connect trades, individuals, and governments, but also serves as a necessary source of knowledge, capacity and the source of new opportunities. To realize Ethiopia’s digital transformation, reliable and inclusive internet governance is instrumental, the minister emphasized. Noting that the government has been undertaking comprehensive Homegrown Economic Reform and Digital Ethiopia 2025 frameworks during the past four years, he said such reform endeavors have brought a fundamental change in the ecosystem of the digital economy of the country in general and internet accessibility in particular. Various legal frameworks have been implemented to ensure inclusive, healthy and sustainable growth of the digital sector, he affirmed. The government of Ethiopia is committed to reinforcing ongoing efforts along the journey to realize digital transformation through inclusive and participatory approach, the minister further stated. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Director for Africa Emmanuel Manasseh for his part underscored that digital technology is instrumental to tackle the global pressing issues. “The theme Multi-stakeholder collaboration for Ethiopia’s digital future challenges us to look around and ask how we can collaboratively work together to make use of digital technologies to develop our countries.” Pertinent internet governance stakeholders, education and research institutions, government institutions, CSOs, representatives of the private sector and the youth attended the forum. Launched in 2020, Ethiopia's Digital Transformation Strategy aims to harness technology to drive economic growth and citizen engagement.