Ethiopia Pledges Leadership in Africa’s Digital Transformation Efforts.

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia is committed to playing a key role in building a vibrant and inclusive digital future for Africa, said Belete Molla, Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology. The Africa Internet Governance Forum, currently underway in Addis Ababa, is being held under the theme ‘Building Our Multi-Stakeholder Digital Future for Africa’ and has gathered a wide array of stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society representatives, technical experts, and young innovators, to engage in discussions shaping Africa’s digital landscape.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, during the forum’s opening, Minister Molla emphasized that this year’s theme aligns closely with Ethiopia’s vision for an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. He noted that the forum provides a valuable platform for stakeholders to learn from one another, share best practices, and establish partnerships to advance Africa’s digital progress. The minister stated, “We recognize that the internet has become an indispens
able tool for economic growth, social progress, and innovation.” He further stressed the need for secure and resilient digital infrastructure to protect economies and societies from cyber threats.

Ethiopia is dedicated to contributing to Africa’s digital future, as reiterated by Minister Molla. He highlighted the country’s progress in expanding internet access, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering innovation while acknowledging that more efforts are required. He affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to the continent’s advancement, stating, “As a nation invested in the progress of Africa, we will continue to actively contribute to the digital transformation of our continent.” Molla expressed a belief in overcoming challenges through pan-African cooperation and unity to build a digitally inclusive future.

In his speech, Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), stated that digital transformation is widely recognized as a catalyst for development. He pointed out the dual nat
ure of Africa’s digital journey, highlighting innovations such as mobile money systems and the exclusion of over 800 million Africans from the digital economy’s opportunities. Gatete also underscored the ongoing challenges of cybersecurity threats and data sovereignty issues that impede the development of resilient digital ecosystems.

Gatete acknowledged Africa’s remarkable ingenuity and transformative innovations, despite existing challenges. He mentioned the ECA’s contributions to Africa’s digital growth and stressed the urgent need to scale up efforts for a comprehensive digital transformation across the continent. This year’s forum is hosted by the ECA in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology and aims to identify key challenges, emerging trends, and opportunities for Africa’s digital future, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.

The forum’s discussions cover a range of topics, including Cybersecurity and Cybercrime, Data Governan
ce, Digital Rights and Human Rights, Sustainability, Universal Access, Meaningful Connectivity, and Emerging Technologies such as AI.