The recent United Nations’ E-Government Survey 2024 revealed that Ethiopia has made significant progress in its digital government landscape, climbing 10 positions in the rankings among Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). This improvement is part of Ethiopia’s broader efforts to modernize its governance and economy through digital transformation, a move that has been guided by the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy.
The survey, compiled by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), highlights the advancements of countries in digital governance over the past two years. Ethiopia’s steady progress in e-governance is evident, reflecting the country’s commitment to utilizing technology for improved governance, economic development, and social inclusion.
The E-Government Development Index (EGDI) is a biennial assessment that ranks countries on their e-governance capabilities through analyzing their digital infrastructure, public service delivery, and citizen participation. Ethiopia’s rise by 10 positions within the LLDC group, as highlighted in the report, underscores the country’s substantial efforts to enhance its digital governance infrastructure.
The global survey, unveiled during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, marked the thirteenth edition of the EGDI. The 2024 report noted that the global average value of the EGDI had risen, with a significant decrease in the proportion of the population lagging in digital government development, from 45% in 2022 to 22.4% in 2024. However, despite these positive trends, the EGDI averages for the African region and other developing groups remain below the global average, highlighting ongoing challenges in digital adoption across these regions.
Ethiopia’s achievements in e-governance are deeply rooted in its Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, a comprehensive plan to drive digital transformation across key sectors of the economy. The strategy recognizes the potential of digital technologies to not only modernize the economy, but also improve governance and service delivery.
The strategy emphasizes the importance of building a knowledge-based economy capable of addressing the needs of the country’s growing population. Key sectors targeted for digitization include agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The integration of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), block chain and the Internet of Things (IoT) plays a vital role in boosting productivity, reducing costs, and promoting transparency in these sectors.
Ethiopia has made significant strides in enhancing its digital infrastructure, which forms the backbone of its e-governance initiatives. As of 2024, nearly 30 million Ethiopians were using the internet, representing an internet penetration rate of approximately 19.4%. While this figure is relatively low compared to global standards, it reflects a steady growth in connectivity, particularly in urban areas.
To support this expansion, the Ethiopian government has partnered with the private sector to launch a robust telecommunications network. Ethio Telecom, the state-owned telecom provider, has played a pivotal role in expanding access to digital services. In recent years, it has introduced 5G services across major cities and is in the process of rolling out such technology, which promises to revolutionize digital service delivery through offering high-speed internet access in both urban and rural regions.
This investment in digital infrastructure is seen as a critical enabler of Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey, facilitating the delivery of online services to citizens and businesses alike. Moreover, the Ethiopian government’s focus on developing smart cities and industrial parks equipped with high-speed internet has attracted foreign investment and boosted the country’s manufacturing sector.
According to some documents from Ethiopian Electronic Services portal, currently, E-governance is becoming a central pillar of Ethiopia’s digital transformation agenda. By leveraging digital platforms, the government aims to streamline public services, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and enhance transparency. This portal, developed as part of this initiative, allows citizens, non-citizens, businesses, and organizations to access various public services online.
To date, over 587 digital government and trade platforms have been launched as part of Ethiopia’s digital transformation efforts, covering sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and e-commerce. Moreover, while there are more than 526,001 processed customer applications registered in the portal, the document further indicated that there are also about 266,654 registered customers. These platforms not only enhance service delivery but also contribute to economic modernization by promoting transparency and ease of doing business.
Ethiopia’s digital transformation extends beyond governance to encompass economic modernization. In the agricultural sector, which employs the majority of the country’s workforce, digital tools such as mobile apps and remote sensing technologies are being used to provide farmers with real-time information on weather conditions, soil health, and market prices. These innovations are helping farmers make more informed decisions, increase yields, and reduce costs.
In the manufacturing sector, the Ethiopian government’s focus on developing industrial parks with advanced digital infrastructure has attracted foreign investment, created jobs, and boosted exports. These parks are equipped with high-speed internet and other digital facilities that support modern manufacturing processes, making Ethiopia more competitive in the global market.
Public-private partnerships have also played a key role in Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey. For example, collaborations between the government and tech companies have resulted in the creation of digital solutions that enhance public services and drive economic growth. The Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Africa 2024 exhibition, held in Marrakech, Morocco, showcased Ethiopia’s achievements in this regard, highlighting groundbreaking digital solutions emerging from various sectors.
The 2024 United Nations E-Government Survey also introduced a Digital Government Model Framework, providing countries with a roadmap for effective digital government planning and implementation. A key component of this framework is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into digital government systems.
In Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has been a key player in the country’s digital transformation, contributing to research and infrastructure development. According to the information gained from the AI Institute, AI-driven initiatives are being used to enhance governance, with the potential to improve decision-making processes, streamline service delivery, and promote innovation.
In addition, the government has introduced the National ID Program, a major initiative aimed at providing each Ethiopian citizen with a unique digital identity. This system is designed to make it easier for individuals to access government services in a secure and efficient manner. Through digitizing the identification process, Ethiopia hopes to reduce bureaucratic delays, curb corruption, and promote social inclusion.
The Fayda Digital ID, which is part of the National ID Program, has been praised by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) for its role in driving the country’s digital transformation. The digital ID system allows for more efficient access to government services, reducing the burden of bureaucracy and fostering social inclusion. The Premier has highlighted the importance of supporting innovators and creating digital enablers to ensure that Ethiopia’s digital transformation is inclusive and sustainable.
Despite Ethiopia’s progress in digital governance, challenges remain, particularly in bridging the digital rift between urban and rural areas. While internet penetration is growing, a significant portion of the population still lacks access to digital services, particularly in remote regions. This highlights the need for continued investment in digital literacy and infrastructure to ensure that all citizens can benefit from Ethiopia’s digital transformation.
Moreover, while Ethiopia has made great strides at the national level, disparities between national and local e-government performance persist. The Local Online Services Index (LOSI), part of the UN E-Government Survey, assesses city portals and highlights these differences. To address this, Ethiopia must continue to focus on strengthening digital governance at the municipal level, ensuring that local governments are equipped with the resources and technology needed to serve their communities effectively.
In a nutshell, Ethiopia’s achievements in e-governance and digital transformation reflect the country’s commitment to modernizing its economy, improving public service delivery, and promoting transparency. Through initiatives like the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, significant investments in digital infrastructure, and the adoption of emerging technologies, Ethiopia is well on its way to becoming a digitally empowered nation.
However, to fully realize its potential, Ethiopia must continue to invest in digital skills, infrastructure, and inclusivity. Through doing so, the country can unlock the full benefits of digital technologies and drive economic growth. It is also possible to enhance good governance and ultimately improve the quality of life for citizens, it was learned.
BY HIZKEL HAILU
The Ethiopian Herald September 29/2024
