Addis Ababa, May 18, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has reaffirmed its strategic push toward strengthening data sovereignty and evidence-based policymaking as a summit session focusing on statistical development and policy autonomy convened in Addis Ababa today in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and senior government officials.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the session—held under the theme “Data Sovereignty for Policy Autonomy”—reflects Ethiopia’s firm shift toward documenting its development ambitions and achievements through data and statistical evidence.
The Office stated that Ethiopia has “firmly embarked on documenting its development ambitions and achievements through data and statistical evidence,” describing this as a major step in reducing reliance on fragmented and externally supported data systems.
It further emphasized that strengthening national data sovereignty is enabling Ethiopia to make development decisions based on its own data sources and to chart an independent development pathway grounded in domestically owned statistical systems.
The statement highlighted that this transition is part of a broader effort to institutionalize policy autonomy through improved data governance, integrated statistical systems, and strengthened national information infrastructure.
The summit session is expected to review progress made in Ethiopia’s statistical development journey and outline future directions for consolidating data sovereignty and enhancing integrated development management systems that support national planning and policy formulation.
The session is taking place within the framework of the National Summit on Statistical Sovereignty and Integrated Development Management (SSIDM), which brings together policymakers, experts, development partners, and institutions engaged in statistics, economic monitoring, and digital governance.
An exhibition showcasing innovations in statistical systems, digital planning platforms, and development monitoring tools is also running alongside the summit proceedings.