Addis Ababa, December 6, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia has been working hard to realize digital transformation through establishing reliable and inclusive internet governance, Minister of Innovation and Technology (MInT) Belete Molla said.
The second Ethiopia internet governance forum was held in Addis Ababa on Thursday with a theme “Multi-stakeholder Collaboration for Ethiopia’s Digital Future” which is part of the efforts to realize Digital Ethiopia.
Addressing the forum, Belete noted that the government of Ethiopia considers the internet as the driving force of change, motor of communication and growth.
For the minister, the internet does not only connect trades, individuals, and governments, but also serves as a necessary source of knowledge, capacity and the source of new opportunities.
To realize Ethiopia’s digital transformation, reliable and inclusive internet governance is instrumental, the minister emphasized.
Noting that the government has been undertaking comprehensive Homegrown Economic Reform and Digital Ethiopia 2025 frameworks during the past four years, he said such reform endeavors have brought a fundamental change in the ecosystem of the digital economy of the country in general and internet accessibility in particular.
Various legal frameworks have been implemented to ensure inclusive, healthy and sustainable growth of the digital sector, he affirmed.
The government of Ethiopia is committed to reinforcing ongoing efforts along the journey to realize digital transformation through inclusive and participatory approach, the minister further stated.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Director for Africa Emmanuel Manasseh, for his part, underscored that digital technology is instrumental to tackle the global pressing issues, as called by ENA
“The theme Multi-stakeholder collaboration for Ethiopia’s digital future challenges us to look around and ask how we can collaboratively work together to make use of digital technologies to develop our countries.”
Pertinent internet governance stakeholders, education and research institutions, government institutions, CSOs, representatives of the private sector and the youth attended the forum.
Launched in 2020, Ethiopia’s Digital Transformation Strategy aims to harness technology to drive economic growth and citizen engagement.