Alibaba to Establish First Africa Training Center in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa October 29/2024 (ENA)Alibaba Global Initiatives (AGI) and Digital Transformation Ethiopia Association (DTEA) have announced plan to establish a training center in Addis Ababa in the first half of 2025.

The planned training center, which is the first for AGI in Africa, will offer programs designed to nurture local digital talent capable of delivering tailored training within their communities.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, Senior Advisor at Alibaba Global Initiatives, Dan Liu said Ethiopian young population and strong governmental support position as a dynamic hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, fostering tremendous potential for businesses to excel in the global market.

As digitalization becomes essential in today’s business landscape, we remain committed to fostering a digital mindset among Ethiopian entrepreneurs, the    Senior Advisor underscored. 

“we are thrilled to establish a physical presence in Africa with the launch of our first training center in Ethiopia. Adopting a 'Train the Trainer' approach, the center will serve as a hub for us to effectively reach the burgeoning entrepreneurial community in Ethiopia and across the African continent, equipping local business with the latest offering of digital economy.

 

President of the Digital Transformation Ethiopia Association, Fikir Andargachew on her part said we are delighted to partner with AGI on this transformative summit and masterclass.

According to the president, initiative like this one is vital to enabling Ethiopian entrepreneurs to recognize and harness the power of digitalization and expand their presence in the global market. 

By fostering their skills and connections, we are nurturing the key drivers of economic growth in our country, she added.  

AGI has also held today discussion with young Ethiopians engaged in electronic trade.  The two-day event, co-hosted by AGI and DTEA aims to cultivate forward- thinking Ethiopian business for the sustained success in international market. 

 

State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Yeshurun Alemayehu on the occasion said to realize digital economy various activities are being carried out interims of policy, digital skill, infrastructures among others in Ethiopia.  

In this regard, cooperation with international organizations, including Alibaba, has a vital role in order to benefit the young people in creation job opportunities in the transition of the digital economy, he underlined. 

He mentioned about the 5 Million Coders initiative implemented by the government to encourage entrepreneurship by promoting digital skills. 

The state minister also stressed the need for Ethiopian youth to do their part in the effort to realize digital economy in leveraging their experience they take from Alibaba and other international institutions into action.  

AGI delivers training and educational programs to encourage public sector organizations to support and to nurture the development of a vibrant e-commerec  ecosystem in their local markets.

It also provides support to inspire new economy entrepreneurs to be the catalyst to motivate others to build a thriving ecosystem that integrates e-commerce, payment, logistics, and big data.