Addis Ababa, March 3, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia positioned digital transformation, skills development, and macroeconomic reform as central drivers of economic competitiveness and investment-led growth.
This was asserted during the opening.of the Elevate Africa 2026 forum opened in the Ethiopian capital on Tuesday, bringing global leaders together to explore opportunities in the digital services and outsourcing ecosystem.
The three-day continental forum, convened by CCI Global in collaboration with Ethiopian Investment Holdings and MMCY, gathers more than 150 participants including government officials, corporate executives, investors, and innovation leaders. Discussions are taking place at Minab Spa within Jubilee Palace in Addis Ababa.
Opening the forum, Eyob Tekalign, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, framed Ethiopia’s structural reform agenda and digital transformation as pillars of macroeconomic stability and productivity enhancement.
He noted that the Homegrown Economic Reform Program (HGER) seeks to address structural challenges, strengthen private sector participation, and modernize economic institutions while improving productivity across strategic sectors. A core component of the reform is macroeconomic stabilization, including efforts to enhance fiscal discipline, improve foreign exchange management, and create an investment-friendly environment.
Digital infrastructure and innovation, Governor Eyob said, act as multipliers of growth across services, finance, and industry.
He highlighted the government’s investment in a modern business process outsourcing (BPO) facility designed to host thousands of service delivery sites as evidence of its commitment to job creation and investment readiness.
“We offer global firms more than efficiency. We offer a motivated, trainable workforce ready to serve the world from the heart of Africa,” Eyob said, positioning Ethiopia as a competitive destination for outsourcing and digital services.
For her part, Ms. Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills of Ethiopia stated that her country’s youth demographic represents a strategic advantage when paired with intentional investments in vocational training and labor market alignment.
Ongoing reforms in technical and vocational education aim to elevate skills development as a first-choice pathway and strengthen the connection between training systems and employment opportunities, she noted.
Muferihat highlighted infrastructure investments including a Skills Park and a labor market information system integrated with national digital infrastructure. These initiatives are designed to enhance labor mobility, improve skills-to-job matching, and provide data-driven mechanisms for workforce planning in domestic and international markets.
She also underscored the importance of international partnerships and private sector collaboration in workforce development, noting that investment-led skills initiatives can expand employment opportunities and strengthen Ethiopia’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Digital public infrastructure and institutional modernization were also central themes in remarks by Miriam Said, Digital Lead at the Office of the Prime Minister.
She explained that Ethiopia’s digital transformation began as an operational response to administrative challenges in delivering services at scale.
“Manual systems eventually fail at scale. Digital systems create reliable service environments,” Miriam said.
She noted that initiatives such as the national digital identification system, Fayda, and the MESOB One-Stop Service Center strengthen verification processes and institutional trust while enabling efficient service delivery.
Fayda (Ethiopia’s national digital ID program) allows individuals to verify their identity once and use it across services, reducing administrative friction and supporting scalable operations. The MESOB One-Stop Service Center complements this infrastructure by integrating government services into streamlined digital and physical service points, reducing paperwork and improving accessibility.
These reforms reflect a broader shift toward digital public infrastructure that enhances institutional transparency and operational efficiency—key objectives of the reform agenda.
During a fireside chat under the theme “Building Competitiveness: Ethiopia’s Economic Reset,” Brook Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s growing talent pool, cost competitiveness, and reform momentum as key factors positioning the country as an emerging hub for business process outsourcing and global services. He noted that investment in digital infrastructure and skills development strengthens Ethiopia’s value proposition for international partners seeking scalable and reliable service delivery locations.
Investment opportunities in the outsourcing and digital services sector also featured prominently. Ethiopian Investment Holdings announced a flagship BPO project valued at approximately USD 25.56 million, reflecting its strategy of economic diversification and high-impact investment.
The project is designed to attract international operators, support digital job creation, and position Ethiopia as a regional hub for outsourcing and technology services. A purpose-built BPO facility capable of hosting global service providers forms part of the initiative, underscoring efforts to strengthen foreign direct investment and export-oriented growth.
Forum organizers said discussions throughout Elevate Africa 2026 will focus on practical investment pathways, regulatory alignment, and strategies for scalable job creation in the digital economy. Core themes include the future of work, impact sourcing, artificial intelligence, and the role of digital services in driving sustainable growth.