Addis Ababa, October 2, 2025 — At the launch of the Ethiopia Human Capital Forum 2025 in Addis Ababa, House of People’s Representatives (HPR) Speaker Tagesse Chafo underscored the critical importance of developing human capital to secure Ethiopia’s long-term growth and prosperity.
The two-day forum, hosted in collaboration with the government and the World Bank, convenes senior officials, international partners, policymakers, and development experts under the theme “Building Skills, Fueling Jobs, Driving Development.” Its goal is to forge innovative strategies for accelerating human capital development across the nation.
In his opening remarks, Speaker Tagesse asserted that a nation’s greatest asset lies not in its natural resources or infrastructure, but in the knowledge, health, creativity, and potential of its people. He pointed to recent national programs—such as Bounty of the Basket, Made in Ethiopia, and the Green Legacy initiative—as examples of tangible progress in education, health, nutrition, and social protection. These programs, he said, have advanced human capital while ensuring inclusive benefits for communities.
Tagesse called for enhanced collaboration to sustain and deepen these gains, emphasizing that Ethiopia remains committed to working with regional and international partners in its human capital journey.
Echoing this, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide described human capital development as a core pathway to prosperity and poverty eradication. He highlighted the government’s efforts to expand educational access, improve health services, and strengthen social safety nets. Hosting the forum at the historic Adwa Memorial Hall, he said, symbolizes Ethiopia’s resolve—“to win the fight against poverty and inequality through investing in our people.”
“Our population is our greatest strength and hope,” Ahmed remarked. “The future success of Ethiopia depends on how well we equip young people with skills, opportunities, and pathways to participate meaningfully in the economy.”
From the development partner side, Maryam Salim, World Bank Division Director for Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan, affirmed that no country can realize inclusive growth without sustained investment in its citizenry. She praised Ethiopia’s advances in school enrollment, healthcare coverage, and social protection, noting that these strides reflect the positive outcomes possible when investments are made wisely and strategically. She also pledged continued World Bank support for Ethiopia’s human capital agenda.
Over the next day, the forum will feature sessions aimed at diagnosing challenges, showcasing evidence and best practices, and charting collaborative, actionable pathways to strengthen human capital and unlock Ethiopia’s development potential.