Cognizant of the fact that ensuring access to digital services for all Ethiopians via laying the foundation for a digital economy and developing digital infrastructure, the Ethiopian government has recently launched the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy.
Obviously, the digital trek of the country is rapidly evolving and currently the government has developed firm commitment to well foster digitalization with a view to booming the comprehensive economic trajectory.
The government has developed several major digital portals, including promoting e-service and ease-of-doing-business gateways so as to support this transformation. Such a remarkable step would help the nation foster progress in the years to come.
The strategy also aims at increasing the number of mobile, broadband, and internet data users, enhance narrowband internet and fixed telephone services, and expand international link capacity.
Yes, expansion of digital technology is providing Ethiopia with dedicated lines for technology, infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, and consumer use and market assembly. The government also has created provisions for consumer protection, digital payments, digital signatures, and electronic receipts. Ethiopia’s digital financial services sector is also well expanding.
No doubt, successful digitalization in Ethiopia requires strong government support and must be accompanied by appropriate legislation to ensure effective implementation.
True, it is well expected that the private sector investment has to be expanded in the digitalization sector in a bid to alleviate the strain on public funds.
The strategy is a national digital renovation scheme aiming at laying the foundation for an overall digital economy. The goal of this comprehensive strategy is purely to transform Ethiopia in all aspects and providing it with the right place in the regional, continental and even global arena. To this end, flourishing digital infrastructure should come to the forefront as such a noteworthy step is of supreme importance in integrating digital technology across all sectors in the nation.
The strategy is definitely a crucial milestone in transforming digital technology in the country, too. Besides, implementing the strategy and adopting new policies and frameworks play a crucial role in creating a conducive environment and transforming the digital sector to improve service delivery, modernize trade, and create a more inclusive and prosperous society thereby expanding critical digital infrastructure, developing human resources and enhancing digital literacy towards making a great nation.
Specifically, the strategy focuses on creating an apt ecosystem for digital businesses and investments. Here, the measures taken by the government have brought significant changes to the sector. Needless to state, the strategy has helped Ethiopia make great strides in digitalization within a short period of time, with many positive outcomes being attained.
The strategy, once approved and implemented, will play a crucial role in speeding up digital transformation. It is also essential for building a safe, resilient, and robust digital industry as Ethiopia has unveiled an ambitious new strategy—Digital Ethiopia 2025—with a view to proactively embracing the industrial formation and leveraging digital technologies for inclusive progress and prosperity. The transformative potential of all the technologies would help the nation have new models for production, communication and lifestyle. The process of equipping the youth in Ethiopia with new skills, expertise and knowledge must be given due emphasis as it would open all doors for change.
Unequivocally, the strategy has been instrumental in creating an enabling environment for innovation, technology, creativity and even entrepreneurship. Enjoying this lucrative opportunity, the government has been committed to foster the development of new businesses, services, and jobs in the digital sector.
In sum, Digital Ethiopia 2025 marks a momentous step towards placing Ethiopia as a key player in the digital age, with the potential to unravel new boulevards for economic growth and social development. The success of the strategy will depend on the concerted efforts of the government, private sector, development partners and all walks of life in embracing this transformative drive.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 13 MAY 2025
