Desta Hangasa is an eleventh grader. She was one of the participants invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ethiopian Technology Expo (ETEX) 2025. Held under the theme, ‘Shaping Ethiopia’s Digital Future,’ at Addis International Convention Center, the event brought together key stakeholders, innovators, and youth to explore the nation’s technological trajectory.
Seizing the opportunity, this reporter approached Desta to have her views regarding the event and its significance for the younger generation and how it shapes Ethiopia’s digital future.
“Such an appealing scenario inspires students to develop an interest in the digital technology and encourages them to pursue innovation skills. The technological innovations and entrepreneurial aspects displayed here have shown that our country is advancing towards superb technological advancement,” she said.
As to her, all the undertakings the country has been capitalizing on, particularly in digital transformation, are of significantly useful in pushing the country’s steps forward, as digitalization has become a global main concern in the 21st century.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, UAE Cyber Security Council Head, Mohamed Al Kuwaiti (PhD) also offered insights on the most important significance of the digital transformation, especially for African youth.
According to him, digital transformation presents significant opportunities for youth employment in Africa, but gaining these benefits requires a concerted effort to close digital skills gaps and ensure equal access to technology. This includes investing in digital infrastructure, developing relevant curricula, and fostering a supportive environment that nurtures youth entrepreneurship.
Asked about the fundamental digital skills for the future, he said that digital skills are becoming increasingly important in a wide range of sectors, with many jobs requiring some level of digital proficiency. By investing in digital literacy, we can prepare the youth for a future job market where digital competencies are essential.
Mohamed Al Kuwaiti (PhD) exclaimed that the UAE has established bilateral ties with Ethiopia as collaboration is of paramount importance in boosting cyber resilience for digital transformation.
He also stated that the digital economy offers numerous opportunities for youth employment including e-commerce, digital marketing, content creation, and software development. Ensuring reliable and affordable internet access is crucial for digital inclusion and participation. Therefore, investing in infrastructure and ensuring affordable connectivity is essential for unlocking the potential of the digital economy.
He said: “Youth-led startups are playing a crucial role in driving digital innovation and creating jobs. Providing access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities can support the growth of these ventures. Likewise, supportive policy and regulatory framework is needed to encourage digital innovation and investment. This includes addressing issues related to cyber-security, data privacy, and digital inclusion.”
He further stated that initiatives like this [ETEX 2025] are vital in transforming vocational education and training (TVET) systems to better equip young people with relevant digital skills.
As to him, the young people need to be educated about the risks of online scams and cyber-bullying, and online platforms need to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
He also elaborated that with improved infrastructure, and a supportive environment, Africa can unlock the immense potential of its youth and drive digital transformation for inclusive growth and sustainable development by addressing these challenges and investing in digital skills.
Opening the East Africa’s largest ever event, Ethiopian Tech Expo 2025, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said that Ethiopia is committed to playing a meaningful role in Africa’s technological progress, given its strategic location, young workforce and growing digital infrastructure.
The President said that the three-day expo showcased Ethiopia’s tech-driven transformation; highlighting strides in AI, cyber-security, smart city, Finetch, ICT and other related innovation.
This expo is more than an exhibition; it is also a dynamic platform for bold thinking, transformative collaboration and decisive action, embodying Ethiopia’s determination to walk along the path and lead in digital transformation, he added.
He further noted that Ethiopia has made an encouraging stride in building relatively robust, secure and inclusive digital ecosystem in view of supporting Ethiopia’s recent digital initiatives such as national public key infrastructures and secure communication platform.
According to the President, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has been exploring practical application of AI to help address local challenges and strengthen initiatives such as AI assisted agricultural tools and healthcare diagnostic devices being tested to support food security and improve medical services.
The Ethiopian Technology Expo 2025 not only showcased the nation’s digital capabilities but also reaffirmed its resolve to invest in a future led by innovation and empowered youth.
Digital payment systems such as telebirr have markedly enhanced access to financial services, particularly in rural areas, helping in bridging gaps in financial inclusion and fostering wider economic participation, he stated.
Acknowledging the encouraging achievements that have been made in digital transformation of Ethiopia, President Taye stressed the need for recognizing the challenges ahead and empowering the next generation to play an active and meaningful role in this trajectory.
He pointed out that one of the most compelling aspects of the ongoing digital transformation that deeply inspired all of us is the empowerment of the next generation to play an active and meaningful role in this trajectory.
“Recognition of this fact has made technology education a cornerstone of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy. Under this strategy, we have prioritized equipping young Ethiopians with cutting edge skills in coding, artificial intelligence, cyber security and data science. This is being achieved through close collaboration with our universities, technical institutions and private sector tech-ups.”
Information Network Security Administration (INSA) Director-General, Tigist Hamid, on her part emphasized the achievements of Ethiopia in the digital sector stating the country’s progress in building cyber resilient Ethiopia.
She said that Ethiopia has embarked on technology, particularly the digital one, to realize its vision for a digitally empowered future and posterity in the years to come.
Tigist described that the Ethiopian Technology Expo 2025 is East Africa’s largest and most transformative technological showcase.
She said, “It is a pivotal moment in history—a time of remarkable global transformation, driven by technology. Our journey is guided by the “Ethiopia 2030: The Pathway to Prosperity” roadmap—a vision that places technology and digital innovation at the heart of Ethiopia’s progress. The five core pillars of technological advancement through digital transformation are, cyber security, AI, Finetech, smart City and ICT, especially the latter stands out as a transformative force—that empowers every sector it touches.”
She noted that digital engagement platforms designed for adolescents and young people enable the youth to exchange ideas, views, and concerns, among others.
According to her, the launch is a bold step forward in fostering a culture of civic engagement where young citizens are not merely bystanders but also active agents of change.
She further stated that this earth-shattering occasion marks a significant step forward in empowering our nation’s young people as Ethiopia is home to one of the youngest demographics in the world.
In sum, digital transformation, especially centering the youth, could be prettily expanded by investing in education, skill- building, and the creation of an enabling environment, working in collaboration with development partners at home and abroad. Hence, the government and other partners can empower young Ethiopians to unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond. Besides, Ethiopia is scaling up cyber security programs to nurture homegrown expertise and prepare a new generation of defenders of the digital realm, stressing that the national Cloud infrastructures and data centers of the country are safeguarding access to digital services.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2025
