Addis Ababa, July 20, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s newly announced Artificial Intelligence University has the potential to position the country as a continental leader in technology-driven education, research and innovation, according to the African Union (AU) Education Division Head Sophia Ashipala.
Ashipala described the establishment of the AI-focused university as a landmark initiative that could inspire similar investments across Africa and strengthen the continent’s capacity to harness emerging technologies.
She said Ethiopia’s move to establish what she described as the first AI university of its kind in Africa represents a significant step forward, calling the institution a “torchbearer” and “frontrunner” in advancing technology-based education and research.
Ashipala said the initiative aligns with the AU’s broader efforts to transform Africa’s education systems and prepare young people to benefit from technological progress.
She emphasized that strengthening foundational learning remains critical to ensuring that future generations can effectively engage with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Referring to findings by UNESCO and the World Bank, Ashipala recalled that during the AU’s 2024 Year of Education, the continental bloc placed strong emphasis on foundational learning after data showed that a large majority of children across Africa lacked basic reading and writing skills.
She noted that the AU introduced various initiatives during the Year of Education aimed at addressing learning poverty, stressing that a strong educational foundation enables students to develop deeper understanding, reasoning abilities and the capacity to engage with more advanced knowledge.
“When the foundation is strong, you empower their knowledge,” she said, adding that stronger foundational education would allow learners to better understand and apply new areas of knowledge as they progress.
The AU official also highlighted the need to strengthen African institutions of higher learning and promote research that advances indigenous knowledge.
She said African universities should be empowered to determine areas of knowledge development that reflect the continent’s priorities, noting that Africa has the necessary human resources, infrastructure and technical expertise to advance research and innovation, as reported by local news agency ENA.
According to Ashipala, with clear frameworks and appropriate guidelines, indigenous knowledge can be preserved, developed and integrated into broader scientific and technological advancement.
She encouraged other African countries to draw lessons from Ethiopia’s experience and pursue similar initiatives based on their own national priorities, saying investments in artificial intelligence, research and higher education would contribute to accelerating innovation and human capital development across the continent.