Ethiopian Government Declares Technological Knowledge, Cybersecurity and Data Sovereignty Essential to the Country’s Future

Addis Ababa, September 10, 2026 (FMC) — The Ethiopian government has placed technological capability, data sovereignty and the preparation of a new generation at the center of its vision for the country’s future, declaring that Ethiopia must build the capacity today to compete and exercise greater sovereignty in an increasingly technology-driven world.

The message, issued by the Government Communication Service (GCS) for the fifth and final day of Pagume, designated the “Day of the Future,” presents digitalization as more than a development tool, framing it as an increasingly important pillar of economic transformation, national preparedness and sovereignty.

The government said the responsibility of the present generation is to connect Ethiopia’s indigenous knowledge and capabilities with contemporary technology, arguing that the country’s future competitiveness will depend increasingly on its ability to create, use and control technology rather than remain dependent on external technological capacity.

It pointed to investments aimed at preparing that generation, including the provision of education and school meals to millions of children, free coding training for millions of young people and the establishment of the country’s first university dedicated to artificial intelligence.

Technology, cybersecurity and control over data were identified as strategic necessities rather than optional components of modernization.

The GCS statement said a future lacking technological knowledge, cybersecurity and information and data sovereignty would expose the country to fundamental risks, making technological preparedness an issue directly connected to national sovereignty.

The message also extends this technological agenda to sectors traditionally viewed as less technology-intensive. Agriculture, for instance, cannot remain viable against the challenges of the future without technological transformation, while digital systems are increasingly important for anticipating and responding to both natural and human-induced disasters.

Public administration is likewise being pushed toward a different model. The government said conventional methods of delivering public services can no longer meet contemporary demands for speed, quality and accessibility, making digital service delivery increasingly central to the relationship between citizens and the state.

The government further linked digital skills to Ethiopia’s effort to produce a globally competitive and entrepreneurial generation, positioning technological competence as a foundation for participation in the emerging global economy.

It said the coming era will require not only technological competitiveness but also data-driven decision-making and digitally enabled research across fields ranging from agriculture to space science. Against this backdrop, the “Day of the Future” was presented as a statement of national direction: Ethiopia is entering a phase in which digital transformation will play a central role in shaping development and safeguarding sovereignty.

The message’s central proposition was summed up by the government as: “Ethiopia is building its tomorrow today.”

The statement comes as Ethiopia concludes the 2018 Ethiopian calendar year on September 10, the final day of Pagume, the calendar’s 13th month. The country will enter 2019 E.C. on September 11.