Empowering Africa through digital transformation key to networking, learning, and co-creating across the continent: PM Abiy

Addis Ababa, October 4, 2022 (FBC) – The opening of the AfriCon AI2022 conference, inauguration of Ethiopia’s Museum of Arts and Science, and launching of technology exhibition are essential for networking, learning and co-creating across Africa to empower the continent through digital transformation, stated the FDRE Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed.

On Tuesday October 4, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated Ethiopia’s Museum of Arts and Science, opened the first ever PanAfriCon AI 2022 conference and launched technology startups and public/private institution exhibition that will be on display and open to the public for the next several weeks.

PM Abiy, on his opening speech, remarked that Ethiopia’s Science and Arts Museum, where the conference and exhibition are being held, is a demonstration of Ethiopia’s strategy to science and technology.

The Prime Minister believes that the newly inaugurated museum contributes in encouraging innovative citizens and it will be a breeding ground for creative ideas.

According to the Prime Minister, since technology is strongly interconnected to every bit of the society’s day-to-day activities, the museum is a cornerstone for Ethiopia’s development strategy.

He indicated that Ethiopia’s digital economy strategy which was designed and implemented two years ago is the basis for this outcome.

The Premier praised the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute as one of the governmental institutions that assumed responsibility to achieve this national strategy, further commending it as an institution that has great promise for Ethiopia with its problem-solving research.

Research and development activities in agriculture, natural language processing, health, finance and other service sectors have made the institute a model for Africa, added PM Abiy.

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister called on Africans to work together in artificial intelligence since it offers great potential in solving Africa’s challenges.