The Internet Society says it is partnering with the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology to advance the country’s digital economy and transform the economy.
Ethiopia had launched digital transformation strategy last year with the goal of leveraging digital technologies to foster development for its citizens.
In a statement on Thursday, the society said it was aimed to support the country in the implementation of ‘Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy’ to develop digital services and advance key sectors that drive economic growth such as agriculture, manufacturing, services and tourism.
It would also help expand connectivity to rural areas, build Internet infrastructure, and strengthen Internet governance.
Its Regional Vice President for Africa, Dr Dawit Bekele, said, “This collaboration comes at a time Ethiopia is liberalising its telecommunications sector, which is in line with the increasing the infrastructure.
“We sign this agreement to increase rural connectivity and make sure that everyone in Ethiopia benefits from the digital transformation.”
The statement quoted the State Minister for Innovation and Technology, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr Ahmedin Mohammed, as saying, “The Ethiopian Government has set the Digital Transformation of the national economy as one of its strategic priorities. For the realisation of this, the government introduced the first ever Digital transformation strategy, which is a visionary umbrella strategy from which sectors and institutions can then design or align their efforts.
“The Digital 2025 strategy has a goal to see digital transformation playing a key role for inclusive prosperity; innovating and applying the culture, practices, processes and technologies of the digital era to respond to citizens raised expectations.”
The minister added that the strategy demands aggressive commitment to increase infrastructure, enabling systems, digital applications, and enabling ecosystem.
