Ethiopia’s Youth Turn the Rainy-Season Break into a Launchpad for Digital Transformation

Addis Ababa, August 10, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative is opening a major pathway for young people to use the rainy-season school break to build practical digital skills, as the initiative continues to expand its reach and contribute to the country’s digital transformation.

Following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call to increase the number of participants to 7 million during the current rainy season, the initiative has continued to gain momentum, with the Office of the Prime Minister hosting an experience-sharing program that brought together industry leaders, policymakers, certified graduates and young professionals.

The program featured an exhibition focused on Artificial Intelligence, giving participants an opportunity to explore developments and applications in one of the fastest-evolving areas of technology.

Opening the program, Head of the Press Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister Billene Seyoum described the technical and digital capabilities of young people as a vital national asset.

She also reaffirmed the implementation of the Prime Minister’s call to increase the number of coders to 7 million during the rainy season.

The experience-sharing platform featured inspiring accounts of young people whose journeys demonstrate the opportunities created through digital skills development.

Technology entrepreneur Mahlet Seyoum said learning programming does not necessarily require a background in computer science or another specialized field.

Young people can use internet and technology resources available to them, analyze social and economic challenges in their surroundings and develop practical solutions, she said.

Azmeraw Taddese, who joined the initiative during the final years of his university studies, said his initial effort to learn coding developed into a website connecting coders in Addis Ababa and eventually enabled him to become a full-stack web developer.

Technology entrepreneur Bethlehem Dessie also recalled beginning her technology journey 17 years ago at the age of 10, when digital opportunities were virtually unavailable.

The experiences shared at the program demonstrate how access to digital learning can equip young people with practical capabilities and create pathways into Ethiopia’s expanding technology ecosystem.

The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative is supporting the development of digital skills among Ethiopian youth and contributing to the objectives of Digital Ethiopia 2030 through practical skills development.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also recently reminded Ethiopian youth that the initiative’s courses are available free of charge and that the certification is internationally recognized. Noting that 5 million Ethiopians had already enrolled, he encouraged more young people to seize the opportunity.

With the annual school break coinciding with the main rainy season, the initiative offers young Ethiopians an opportunity to use the period productively by developing digital skills and strengthening their technological capabilities before the new academic year begins.