Addis Ababa, December 21, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) highlighted the importance of data sovereignty and noted that the Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy had achieved its intended goals to an almost full extent.
The strategy’s Digital Ethiopia 2025 review and the official launch of Digital Ethiopia 2030 took place yesterday at the Addis International Convention Center, where PM Abiy presided over the event.
The launch brought together senior government officials, federal and regional leaders, and key stakeholders, setting the stage for the country’s next phase of digital transformation.
In his fireside chat, the Prime Minister indicated that Digital Ethiopia 2025 had largely achieved its objectives.
He explained that the newly launched Digital Ethiopia 2030 would build on these achievements, focusing on expanding accessibility, creating equal opportunities for citizens, and strengthening trust between citizens and institutions.
PM Abiy highlighted that significant efforts would be made, particularly in expanding public digital infrastructure, to ensure that these pillars are realized.
He added that these initiatives were intended to create strong capacity for digital technology with a people-centered approach to improve the lives of citizens.
On the topic of sovereignty, the Prime Minister explained that the concept had evolved over time.
He recalled that a century ago, sovereignty was primarily associated with border protection, but in the era of artificial intelligence, it is now centered on data. He stressed that it is necessary for nations to control their data and prevent unauthorized use.
He observed that although Africa is rich in technological resources, the continent struggles to maintain data sovereignty because key technologies, such as chips, are imported.
This dependence, he noted, can result in system shutdowns during disputes with other countries, which hinders national activities.
To address this challenge, PM Abiy highlighted Ethiopia’s initiatives to provide Faida and Telebir technology to other African countries, describing it as the start of a movement to utilize Africa’s technological potential.
He further noted the importance of enabling local private companies and startups to compete in the African market, explaining that this would not only ensure data sovereignty but also enhance the ability to leverage external data effectively.
He called on institutions and officials to support the private sector, particularly startups, by facilitating technical, financial, and market opportunities to enable them to enter the market and achieve profitability.
Reflecting on Digital Ethiopia 2025, PM Abiy noted that there had been initial concerns about the strategy’s success due to limited experience in the digital sector.
He pointed out, however, that the activities carried out across sectors—including agriculture, industry, tourism, mining, and digital services—demonstrated remarkable success, confirming the strategy’s effectiveness.
He encouraged government institutions and academia to examine the strategy, emphasizing that it is not only a long-term plan but also a learning journey that illustrates how capacity to achieve ambitious goals can develop over time.
PM Abiy concluded by noting that Digital Ethiopia 2025 had laid the foundation for the newly launched Digital Ethiopia 2030, which will continue to drive the country’s digital transformation with a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and people-centered technological development, aligned with the goals of the Medemer State.