
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is set to host the 10th African Public Service Day (APSD) and the Africa Regional Forum on Governance Innovation.
Both high-level events are expected to highlight the country’s ongoing public service reform efforts, according to the Ethiopian Public Service Commission.
The Commission Commissioner Mekuria Haile (PhD) told journalists yesterday that the conferences offer Ethiopia a platform to showcase its reform achievements while learning from the experiences and innovations of other African nations.
The APSD celebration, to be held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, will convene leaders from AU member states for in-depth discussions on resolving historical challenges in public service delivery.
The Commissioner stated that this year’s theme, “Enhancing the Agility and Resilience of Public Institutions to Achieve Equitable Governance and Rapidly Address Historical Service Delivery Gaps,” reflects the continent’s growing focus on inclusive and rights-based service models.
He emphasized the importance of addressing disparities in access to public services across different population groups. “Africa’s human capital is a key to future development, but effective policies and innovative strategies are needed to close the service delivery gap,” he said. Technological advancements in public service delivery will also be a major focus during the discussions.
Regarding the second event, the Africa Regional Forum on Governance Innovation, Mekuria explained that it is being held under the broader framework of the APSD.
The forum is part of a global initiative titled “Innovating Public Service Delivery to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the Transfer and Adaptation of Omnichannel Approaches,” implemented by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG).
Both gatherings are expected to attract ministers and senior public officials from across the continent, including permanent secretaries, directors, agency heads, and board chairpersons responsible for public policy execution.
While the APSD will focus on strengthening institutional agility and addressing service delivery gaps, the Africa Regional Forum on Governance Innovation will be held under the theme: “Advancing Agile, Inclusive, and People-Centered Service for All.”
The events reaffirm Ethiopia’s commitment to improving public governance and embracing innovative practices in public service to support sustainable development.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2025