Ethiopia’s Digital Initiatives Instrumental to Integrate Country with Rest of Continent: Prof. Tsamenyi  

Addis Ababa November 6/2024 (ENA) The policies and initiatives designed by the government of Ethiopia to tap the potential of digital technologies encourage the youth and entrepreneurs to integrate the country into the rest of the continent and beyond, Executive Director at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) of Africa, Professor Matthew Kwame Tsamenyi underscored.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, the Executive Director emphasized that digital integration is critical for Africa as digital space offers a unique opportunity for African countries to think collectively and overcome barriers to trade, such as payment systems.

Africa must prioritize digital integration to accelerate economic growth and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to Professor Tsamenyi.  

He advised that Africa needs to develop robust technological infrastructure,  loosen regulations to foster innovation and entrepreneurship and accelerate digital transformation through collaborating and forming strategic partnerships. 

The establishment of a global digital talent academy in partnership with Alibaba Global Initiatives (AGI) and Digital Transformation Ethiopia Association (DTEA) is a significant step towards developing Africa's digital workforce and driving digital development, the Executive Director underscored. 

African governments must prioritize the development of technological infrastructure and create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship, he urged. 

Professor Tsamenyi further indicated that Ethiopia, as one of Africa's largest and fastest-growing economies, has a crucial role to play in driving digital integration. By implementing innovative policies and initiatives, Ethiopia can lead the way in connecting Africa through digital technologies.  

The policies and initiatives designed by the Ethiopian government can encourage young people and entrepreneurs to develop their skills and contribute to Ethiopia's integration into the African continent, he noted. 

"Africans are known for their creativity. By providing appropriate training, African youth can become valuable assets in the global job market," according to the Executive Director.  

There are numerous opportunities for outsourcing technology work to Africa, but to capitalize on this potential, we need to invest in education and training for our young people, Professor Tsamenyi underscored. 

AfCFTA is a significant initiative of the African Union's Agenda 2063. To accelerate its implementation, African countries must leverage digital technologies, e-commerce platforms, and digital payment systems, he added. 

"The AfCFTA is a significant initiative of the African Union's Agenda 2063.  African countries must leverage digital technologies, e-commerce platforms, and digital payment systems,” he said, adding that “while there are challenges to overcome, the AfCFTA has the potential to significantly boost intra-African trade and economic integration.” 

"We all have challenges currently on the continent in terms of payment, cross border transaction between African countries, even between Ethiopia and Kenya uses US dollars," he mentioned, stressing, the need to  leverage on all these digital platforms to actually enhance our basically connectivity as a continent.

The Executive Director urged the need to bring all countries, for instance, even if some countries like Ethiopia develops a digital space, and other countries are left behind, it is not going to be successful.