In the digital age the skills for operating digital devices is becoming not only necessary but also compulsory to equip citizens with the needed skills and knowledge. Thus, countries around the world are working to facilitating infrastructure development to lay a strong foundation for digital transformation.
Ethiopia is also working to build the capacity of its human capital, drive innovation, solve societal issues, and promote economic development by seizing the possible benefits that the digital economy holds.
To this end, it launched the ‘Digital Ethiopia 2025’ initiative and is also working persistently to accelerate its progress to digital transformation and push Ethiopia towards an innovative and sustainable economy by creating a favorable digital ecosystem.
As part of this effort, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently launched the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative to familiarize the generation with digital skills.
In this respect, The Ethiopian Herald talked with Stem Synergy Ethiopia Country Director Asegedech Shawl over the phone to share her insights on the return of the initiatives mainly in advancing and familiarizing the generation with digital competency.
Asegedech said that the initiative is a redeeming act because unless the generation has foundational digital literacy skills; and is ready to use the digital services appropriately through digital technologies, it will be excluded from the ongoing development.
Its return is great. For instance, in terms of economic affairs and job opportunities, it could let youth access jobs supported by online platforms. Ethiopia can also attract international tech firms. Moreover, the opportunity could increase the number of youth entrepreneurs that could compete in the global market.
Once Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had remarked that the youth are Ethiopia’s prospects for tomorrow. Thus, they should be trained to be entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who can compete globally.
“I do agree with his conviction. Educated citizens are the hope of the country. Thus, as the Premier underlined, Ethiopian youth should take advantage of this great opportunity and become the hope of tomorrow for Ethiopia. They should make the most of this opportunity and become entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders who can drive Ethiopia’s development”
While responding to how the education system and stakeholders should discharge their duties and responsibilities in harnessing the digital return in making the nation progressive, she said that each academic institution should invest in building facilities and infrastructure and encouraging the students to build digital skills.
According to her, the rapid growth of digital technologies over the past two-plus decades has transformed the way we access and receive essential services. That is from healthcare services to agriculture, education, and administrating business among others. The integration of digital platforms and tools has opened up new possibilities for delivering services more efficiently, conveniently, and equitably, which saves time, cost, and energy. To maintain the momentum, stakeholders should work in harmony because the bedrock for development is a skilled workforce.
“In my view, digital literacy should be nurtured appropriately because it helps to familiarize the posterity with skills and lets the nation build accessibility, reliable service, and building transparency of health, finance, and education services. At the same time, it ensures international competitiveness in the global market.”
In this respect, coding is the epicenter of digital literacy, because it lets develop applications, software, and websites among others.
While talking about the role the government can play, she underlined the government should back the efforts by infrastructure development and supporting private and public institutions to apply digital services as well as ensuring the provision of persistent power. Likewise, development partners should provide technical and financial assistance to advance the initiative constructively.
Stem Synergy Ethiopia has been working along with higher education institutions for the past eight years to promote digital competency. “We gave support for the establishment of 22 STEM centers and provided short-term coding training along with universities,” she remarked.
The organization is engaged in promoting STEM education, technology transfer, and social enterprises that benefit youth and women through hands-on technologies and innovation, she underlined.
She finally said that families and learning institutions should encourage students to register for the 5 Million Coder’s initiative. If pertinent stakeholders act accordingly, Ethiopia will become a hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.
Ibex Technologies and Promotion Founder and CEO Ezedin Kamil for his part said that the initiative is a wonderful opportunity for the generation. It is an eye-opener in developing coding skills and creating an easy step to join the digital platform. It has significant importance in materializing the nation’s digital transformation plan to the ground, he underlined.
Digital transformation demands a huge workforce and skill competency, and the contents selected for the courses confirm the government’s high desire to empower the youth with digital skills.
“We have been promoting the initiative through our various platforms to allow the youth to be informed and get firsthand information.”
According to the Ministry of Education, consorted efforts are underway to harness the opportunity by letting citizens involved in the initiative. The Ministry has been working at the grassroots level to promote and strengthen higher education in e-learning. As a result, while 50 public universities are engaged in online education, over 35,000 students are utilizing the e-learning platform. More than 40,000 instructors are also trained in digital content development and delivery.
Of late, on his social media page, Prime Minister Abiy also emphasized the importance of equipping self with the skills and knowledge on demand in the market.
The Premier said that, in today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning and skills development are more important than ever. Hence, he invited all students on break, young professionals, and those eager for personal growth and making a positive impact locally and beyond to participate in the“5 Million Ethiopian Coders” initiative.
“The 5 Million Coders initiative has been launched to help you stay ahead, regardless of your career stage or goals. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current skills, learn something new, or prepare for future opportunities, this initiative is designed for you,” the Premier elaborated.
He also strongly encouraged everyone involved in skill-building in Ethiopia—incubators, accelerators, universities, and others—to fully embrace this initiative.
“Our nation’s strength lies in your growth,” Abiy stressed.
It is to be recalled that the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative is implemented in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and aims to provide digital technology training to 5 million citizens. The initiative is designed to transfer the time of Ethiopian youth and equip them with the skills needed to succeed in the digital age.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 16 AUGUST 2024
