KOICA commends Ethiopia’s digital transformation efforts, pledges support

Addis Ababa, October 29, 2024 (FBC) – The Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Han Deog Cho has praised Ethiopia’s ongoing digitization efforts to expedite its development.

In an exclusive interview with local newswire service ENA, the country director highlighted the significant impact of the government’s digital initiatives on the country’s overall development.

KOICA, a key partner in Ethiopia’s digital transformation, is actively supporting e-government initiatives, particularly in the area of single-window digitalization for trade and commerce.

The agency is also committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by supporting ICT startups and providing capacity-building programs.

The director emphasized the importance of human capital development in driving digital transformation.

KOICA is actively involved in supporting technical and vocational education and training centers, encouraging young people to develop digital skills and launch their own startups.

“We are actively supporting e-government initiatives, such as single-window digitalization for trade and commerce. These are important projects that we are undertaking in partnership with the Ethiopian government,” the director stated.

The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently, is a crucial step towards digital transformation.

The director emphasized that this initiative will empower individuals with digital skills, driving economic growth and societal development.

KOICA is committed to human capital development and supports technical and vocational education and training centers. By encouraging young people to develop digital ideas and launch startups, KOICA aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We are supporting human resource development by training individuals in technical and vocational education and training centers. We encourage them to develop innovative digital ideas and support their startups,” Cho explained.

KOICA will continue to prioritize key areas of cooperation, including the dairy sector. The agency is implementing a top-down approach to support both large-scale dairy producers and smallholder farmers.

As KOICA continues its partnership with the Ethiopian government, it aims to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and contribute to the country’s sustainable development.