The Ethiopian government has made significant progress in its efforts to realize a "Digital Ethiopia," according to Seyoum Mengesga, CEO of Digital Economy Development at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology.
Appearing on ETV's Addis Ken program, Mengesga emphasized the transformative potential of a well-managed digital economy, stating, "Digital Ethiopia can generate more income for the country than other sectors." He outlined several key initiatives undertaken to build the necessary foundations, focusing on infrastructure, the digital ecosystem, IT enablers, and platforms.
Infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of the Digital Ethiopia vision. Mengesga highlighted the construction of large data centers by both government and private entities. "Within the IT parks, we are seeing international standard (Tier 3) data centers being established. This accomplishment has a significant impact on our digital landscape," he noted.
Furthermore, increased internet connectivity and mobile subscription rates, facilitated by Ethio telecom and Safaricom, have significantly contributed to advancing the digital agenda, according to Mengesga.
The government has also established a relevant policy and regulatory framework, including the implementation of personal data protection measures. "A major achievement is the digitalization of over 700 public services, with the introduction of online one-window services. This has demonstrably improved the daily lives of citizens," Mengesga stated.
In a move to formalize the digital economy, the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, is actively working to bring informal e-commerce operators into the formal sector, Seyoum added.
Highlighting the burgeoning opportunities in online work, Hilina Belachew, Operation Manager of the Labour Market Data System Project Office at the Ministry of Labor and Skills Development, revealed that over 3.2 million Ethiopian citizens have secured online jobs with overseas companies in the past eight months. She affirmed her ministry's commitment to creating a conducive environment for job creation.
Belachew further elaborated on key policy amendments undertaken by the Ministry of Labor and Skills Development, including the design of a labor market-oriented human resource development policy. "In line with this policy, the ministry has unveiled a system called zoning and differentiation," she explained. This system aligns with the government's five priority sectors: agriculture, tourism, technology, manufacturing, and mining, with a focus on implementing a value-chain-based approach to job creation within these sectors.
These concerted efforts across various government bodies signal a strong commitment to building a comprehensive digital ecosystem in Ethiopia, with the aim of driving economic growth, improving public services, and creating new opportunities for its citizens.