Ethiopia Prioritizes Digital Sector to Boost Job Creation Capacity

Addis Ababa, October 17, 2025 (ENA) – Ethiopia’s Ministry of Labor and Skills announced that strong attention is given to the digital sector in a bid to enhance the country’s capacity for job creation.

In collaboration with local and international partners, the ministry has organized the “2025 Future of Work Summit,” which kicked off today in Addis Ababa and will continue through October 18, 2025.

The summit brings together employers, employees, and digital job platform operators to discuss strategies for connecting job seekers and employers through digital means.

In his opening remarks, Solomon Soka, Labor and Skills State Minister, emphasized that the government has been giving significant attention to the development of the digital economy, noting that the sector plays a key role in the country’s employment generation efforts.

“Globally, the digital economy is receiving great attention, and Ethiopia is no exception,” he said, adding that around 2 million Ethiopians have annually joined the digital labor market.

 

The government, he noted, is undertaking various initiatives to expand job opportunities in the sector.

According to the state minister, the ministry has been implementing a wide range of activities to build the digital economy, including policy interventions, skills development, and technology enhancement programs, all aimed at increasing annual job creation.

He also underlined that the digital sector is one of the five main pillars of Ethiopia’s economy, and the government is giving it special priority.

Semegn Tadesse,  CEO of Afriwork, a job search platform in Ethiopia, also noted that his platform has successfully connected a large number of employers and employees.

 

Afriwork has planned to expand its services nationwide as the government’s growing attention to the digital sector presents a great opportunity for private platforms.

“As Ethiopia has a rapidly growing population, the increasing attention given by the government and stakeholders will enable more young people to access job opportunities in the digital sector,” Semegn noted.

Hampus Holmer, Deputy Head for Trade and Policy at the Embassy of Sweden, on his part, reaffirmed Sweden’s strong commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s journey toward a dynamic and inclusive labor market.

In this regard, he mentioned that the Ethiopia-Sweden Business Forum will be held in Addis Ababa after two months, bringing together companies and investors from both countries to explore partnerships in digitalization, green transition, and skills development.

Holmer further emphasized that the future of work is not only about technology but also about people, equity, inclusion, and opportunity.