Ethiopia Takes Steps to Lead Africa’s Digital Inclusion and Innovation

Addis Ababa — Ethiopia is firmly committed to playing an integral role in shaping a vibrant and inclusive digital future for the African continent. This commitment was underscored by Belete Molla, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, during the opening of the Africa Internet Governance Forum, which is taking place in Addis Ababa. The forum, which brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, operates under the theme “Building Our Multi-Stakeholder Digital Future for Africa,” and serves as a platform for open dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, civil society, technical experts, and young innovators from across the continent. These discussions are designed to shape Africa’s digital landscape and pave the way for future development across various sectors.

In his remarks, Minister Molla expressed that the forum’s theme resonates deeply with Ethiopia’s vision for a digital transformation that is not only sustainable but also inclusive, ensuring that all Africans can benefit from the opportunities the digital world provides. He emphasized the critical importance of cooperation and mutual learning among the different stakeholders present, highlighting that such a gathering is a valuable opportunity for exchanging best practices, forging new partnerships, and accelerating the continent’s digital progress.

The Minister went on to affirm that the internet has become an indispensable tool for economic growth, social development, and innovation, playing a key role in reshaping economies and empowering individuals. As such, it is crucial for Africa to leverage digital technologies to address its unique challenges, from poverty and inequality to access to education and healthcare. He further stressed that building a secure and resilient digital infrastructure is fundamental to safeguarding the continent’s economies and societies against the growing threat of cyberattacks and other digital security risks. Ethiopia, he emphasized, has made notable strides in expanding internet access, enhancing digital literacy, and promoting innovation within the country, yet he acknowledged that much work remains to be done to fully realize the potential of the digital economy.

Minister Molla also highlighted Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a key player in the broader African digital transformation. He pointed out that while progress has been made, Ethiopia recognizes the need to continue its efforts in building a more digitally inclusive society. This involves not only increasing internet connectivity but also ensuring that the necessary skills and infrastructure are in place to fully utilize the opportunities that digital technologies offer. Ethiopia is therefore committed to playing an active role in Africa’s digital transformation, working alongside other nations to address common challenges and achieve the shared goal of a digitally empowered continent.

Ethiopia’s vision aligns with the broader African objective of fostering pan-African cooperation. Minister Molla emphasized that, through a spirit of unity and collaboration, Africa can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and ensure that the continent’s digital future is one that is inclusive, sustainable, and beneficial to all. This cooperative approach, he argued, will be key in overcoming digital divides and enabling Africa to fully tap into the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the internet of things (IoT).

In his address, Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), also underscored the centrality of digital transformation to Africa’s development agenda. He noted that while digital technologies have opened up significant opportunities, Africa’s digital journey remains one of contrasts. On one hand, the continent has witnessed groundbreaking innovations, such as mobile money, which processes billions of dollars annually and has connected millions of people to financial services for the first time. On the other hand, he pointed out that more than 800 million Africans remain offline, thus missing out on the vast potential of the digital economy.

Gatete further highlighted the persistent challenges that continue to hold back Africa’s digital transformation, such as cybersecurity threats and data sovereignty issues. These challenges pose significant risks to the development of robust and secure digital ecosystems across the continent. Despite these obstacles, Gatete expressed optimism, citing the incredible ingenuity and transformative innovations that have emerged from across the continent. However, he stressed that there is an urgent need for Africa to scale up its efforts to ensure that digital transformation reaches all corners of the continent and that no one is left behind in this critical process.

Moreover, Gatete emphasized that the ECA, as part of its mission, is working to contribute to Africa’s digital growth. However, achieving a truly transformative digital future requires greater investment in infrastructure, capacity-building, and policy development. He called for increased efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that Africa’s digital transformation is inclusive and equitable, enabling all countries and communities to fully participate in and benefit from the digital economy.

This year’s Africa Internet Governance Forum is being hosted by the ECA in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology. The event provides a platform for stakeholders to engage in in-depth discussions on the key issues surrounding internet governance and digital policies. Topics under discussion include cybersecurity, data governance, digital rights, sustainability, universal access, meaningful connectivity, and emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. These discussions aim to identify the challenges, opportunities, and trends that will shape Africa’s digital future, with a focus on ensuring that digital transformation aligns with the continent’s broader development goals, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a prosperous and integrated Africa.

By focusing on these key areas, the forum aims to foster collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders, both within Africa and internationally, to create a shared vision for Africa’s digital future. This vision emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that digital technologies drive growth, development, and social progress across the continent.

As Africa continues to navigate its digital journey, forums like this are crucial for forging partnerships, sharing knowledge, and addressing the complex challenges of digital transformation. With strong cooperation, a commitment to innovation, and a shared vision for the future, Africa can overcome its digital challenges and build a more prosperous and digitally empowered continent. Through collaborative efforts, Africa can unlock the full potential of the digital age, creating a brighter future for all its people.