Using all its capacities Ethiopia is striving to accelerate digital transformation. The Ethiopian Government has launched the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy to leverage digital opportunities and to boost its economy. Ethiopia is working to harness the digital ecosystem as a driving factor to make its economic development endeavors innovative and knowledge-based. Considering the growing role of the digital sector in the economic development, the Ethiopian Government is laying foundations to build sustainable digital economy.
The Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy is an ambitious strategy to accelerate the economic digitalization. The focus of the strategy is creating conducive environment for business activities, expanding infrastructural development and promoting technological innovations. The strategy and digital reforms being implemented are bringing promising results in transforming the digital sector in Ethiopia. The sector is attracting new market players, thanks to the reforms being taken by the government.
Accelerating the digital transformation and realizing it within the planned period needs financial and technical resources and active participation of the private sector. In addition to the efforts of mobilizing the local resources, digitalization needs strong coordination with development partners, international organizations and technology companies with well-coordinated digital diplomacy. Well-coordinated diplomacy in the digital sector can attract investments in the sector, technical supports and technological transfers that can help in accelerating the digitalization journey.
Transforming the digital sector in Ethiopia aims at building the comparative economic advantages of the country so as to accelerate its economic development towards prosperity. The digital transformation of Ethiopia targets developing the digital infrastructure so as to provide digital services to key sectors like industry, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and supporting the economic activities of the private sector. Through achieving the digital strategy, Ethiopia is working to create inclusive prosperity by leveraging technology that catalyzes the realization of broad development.
As Ethiopia aims transforming its digital sector and the technology in general, creating cooperation with technological companies would facilitate and support the initiatives. It helps to accelerate the transition to digitalization. With this vision, Ethiopia has discussed with Microsoft company leadership to extend partnership so as to accelerate Digital Transformation in Ethiopia.
Parallel to the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Minister of Innovation and Technology (MInT) of Ethiopia, Belete Molla (PhD) discussed with Microsoft Company’s senior leadership in New York, last week. The focus of the two sides’ discussion was on technology collaboration and philanthropy intersects for the mutual benefit between Ethiopia and Microsoft.
During the sidelines of the 78th UNGA in New York, Minister Belete met Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Philanthropies; Justin Spelhaug, Global Head, Tech for Social Impact, MS Philanthropies, and Alexandre Pinho, Global UN International Development at the Microsoft UN office.
During the discussion, the Minister briefed the Microsoft leadership on Ethiopia’s current state in terms of technological advancement, digital transformation and areas of growth, especially the importance of digital literacy and training for Ethiopian youth. Belete highlighted Ethiopia’s potential as a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) destination given its large, young, affordable and trainable workforce, along with the country’s strategic location, time zone advantages and the government’s reforms being undertaken in the digital sector in particular and the technology sector in general, according to the information from MInT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
The Minister also discussed the initiatives and steps taken by Ethiopia to create a conducive environment for BPO, such as infrastructure development, training programs, and policy frameworks. The discussion aims to explore opportunities for Microsoft to consider Ethiopia as a potential BPO hub for its operations. He also explained Ethiopia’s vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to drive growth, innovation, and efficiency across various sectors.
Belete further elaborated Ethiopia’s desire for expanding its digital infrastructure and explore potential partnerships where Microsoft could play a role, such as in providing cloud services, data centers, or other technologies. Ethiopia’s emerging startup ecosystem and the potential for innovations were also among the points highlighted by the Minister the Microsoft leadership during the discussion.
The two sides also discussed ways Microsoft could support Ethiopian startups through funding, mentoring and providing tools and resources, according to the information from MInT. Ethiopia gives due attention to Digital Governance and Cyber-security in its digital transformation strategy, Belete noted. He explained the need for securing digital platforms for government and public services.
During the discussion, Microsoft pinpointed how digital solutions could revolutionize sectors like healthcare and agriculture in Ethiopia. The two parties also discuss potential partnerships, pilot projects, or initiatives where Microsoft’s technology can make a meaningful difference. Both sides reiterated the importance of the partnership during the discussion and Belete expressed his gratitude for Microsoft’s interest to strengthen partnership with Ethiopia.
Then, the two sides mutually agreed to take tangible steps and assigned a working team on both sides that will work on an action plan towards steps ahead. Minister Belete Molla also appreciates Microsoft’s decision for including Ethiopia as one of the top three African countries for Microsoft’s new Digital Development Program.
According to the information from MInT, a follow-up meeting will be conducted in Addis Ababa within a month to further push the partnership and Belete invited Microsoft leadership to visit Ethiopia. Accordingly, the Microsoft leadership is expected to visit Ethiopia in late October 2023.
According to MInT, the meeting between Ethiopia and Microsoft is a significant step forward in the partnership between the two parties. Both parties are committed to working together to leverage the power of technology to drive growth, innovation, and development in Ethiopia. The Microsoft leadership, according to MInT, reiterated how these can serve as foundations for deeper collaborations with Microsoft; explore opportunities for Microsoft to assist in building AI capacities in Ethiopia, whether through educational programs, research partnerships, or investments in AI startups.
Appreciated Ethiopia’s keen interest to partner with Microsoft, the Microsoft leadership reiterated its commitment to strengthen the partnership to work closely with Ethiopia. The multinational computer technology corporation, Microsoft, has included Ethiopia to be one of the top three African countries for its new Digital Development Program.
Finally, MInT Minister Belete has thanked Microsoft for including Ethiopia in the company’s new Digital Development Program. He also appreciated the team’s plan to visit Addis Ababa on the last week of October for the furtherance of the partnership.
Considering the initiatives Ethiopia is taking to transform the digital technology and the investments by the Ethiopian government to realize digital economy, Microsoft leadership visit to Addis Ababa is expected to take the partnership one step forward. Ethiopia’s current reforms and the development endeavors would attract the attention of Microsoft to deepen ties with Ethiopia after observing the promising developments in the sector.
Publiis, se incus bon dum quamplicatam in id ponsima, avolus et ium andum te, tis, quonis morei sena vehebem senatudes etorum omnihilicauc opublicit L. Ahalius, ut verdin sim ut iam di sultum iae et L. Solius intem acta rei postili casdam isses
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER 2023
