Ethiopia Commits to Shaping a Vibrant, Inclusive Digital Landscape for Africa

Ethiopia is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s digital transformation, underscoring its commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive digital ecosystem across the continent. This was reaffirmed by Belete Molla, the Minister of Innovation and Technology, during the opening of the Africa Internet Governance Forum in Addis Ababa. The forum, with the theme “Building Our Multi-Stakeholder Digital Future for Africa,” has attracted a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, technical experts, civil society members, young innovators, and private sector leaders, all of whom are converging to discuss Africa’s digital future. These discussions are centered around finding solutions to challenges and seizing opportunities that can drive Africa’s digital growth.

Minister Molla articulated that this year’s forum theme aligns strongly with Ethiopia’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive digital transformation for the continent. He highlighted that, although Ethiopia has made notable progress in expanding internet access, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering innovation, there is still much work to be done. The Minister stressed that the forum presents an invaluable opportunity for participants to learn from each other, share best practices, and establish partnerships that will accelerate Africa’s digital development. According to Molla, the internet has evolved into an indispensable tool for economic growth, social progress, and technological innovation, all of which are pivotal to the continent’s future.

One of the key points the Minister emphasized was the importance of building a secure and resilient digital infrastructure to protect economies and societies from the escalating threat of cyber-attacks. This is particularly crucial in today’s interconnected world, where digital risks are ever-present. Ethiopia’s commitment to playing a key role in the creation of a vibrant and inclusive digital future for Africa remains steadfast, with the country focused on continuing its support for pan-African digital initiatives. He reiterated that, through collaborative efforts and the unity of African nations, the continent can surmount the challenges it faces and build a more digitally inclusive future that benefits all African nations.

In his address, Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), acknowledged that digital transformation is increasingly recognized as a powerful catalyst for economic development. However, he pointed out that Africa’s digital journey remains one of contrasts. While Africa has witnessed groundbreaking innovations, such as mobile money systems, which collectively process over 919 billion USD annually through 856 million accounts, a significant portion of the population remains disconnected. Over 800 million people across the continent still do not have access to the internet, leaving them excluded from the economic and social opportunities that digital technologies provide. This stark divide underscores the urgent need to scale up digital infrastructure and expand internet access to the most underserved regions.

Gatete also drew attention to persistent challenges that continue to hinder the development of resilient digital ecosystems, particularly in relation to cybersecurity threats and data sovereignty issues. These challenges present significant barriers to ensuring the privacy and security of digital data, a critical factor for fostering trust and enabling further digital growth across the continent. Despite these obstacles, Gatete highlighted that Africa has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with transformative innovations emerging across the continent, particularly in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and mobile technology. However, he stressed that there is still an urgent need to enhance efforts to ensure comprehensive digital transformation, particularly in terms of improving digital governance and infrastructure.

Furthermore, Gatete pointed to the importance of aligning Africa’s digital transformation efforts with global frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact, which aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all. He also referenced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which emphasize the need for greater cooperation and investment in the digital sector to foster economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainable development across the continent.

The Africa Internet Governance Forum, hosted by the ECA in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology, provides an essential platform for discussing critical internet governance issues and policies that affect Africa’s digital future. The forum serves as a space for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue about the challenges and opportunities that come with the digital transformation of Africa. Among the critical topics addressed at this year’s forum are cybersecurity and cybercrime, data governance, digital rights and human rights, sustainability, universal access to digital tools, meaningful connectivity, and the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). These discussions aim to foster greater cooperation among African nations and ensure that Africa’s digital future aligns with the goals of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, as well as contribute to the realization of a shared digital vision for the continent.

Through these deliberations, the forum is expected to help shape the policies, regulations, and frameworks necessary to ensure that Africa’s digital transformation is inclusive, secure, and sustainable. This will ultimately contribute to the building of a digital ecosystem that benefits all African nations, fosters innovation, promotes social progress, and drives economic development across the continent. The event exemplifies the commitment of both Ethiopia and the broader African community to advancing the digital economy and ensuring that Africa plays a leading role in shaping the global digital future.