Tech Entrepreneurs Urge Youth to Develop Practical Solutions within Ethiopia’s Digital Ecosystem

Addis Ababa, August 10, 2026 (ENA) — Tech entrepreneurs have urged Ethiopian youth to continuously develop their digital skills, create practical solutions and contribute to growth and innovation within the country’s digital ecosystem.

The call was made during an experience-sharing program on the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s call for Ethiopian youth to join the initiative and expand its reach to 7 million participants by the end of this rainy season.

The program brought together certified graduates, industry leaders, policymakers, and young professionals to share experiences and insights and contribute to the advancement of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 agenda through practical digital skills development.

The panel featured Dr. Abiyot Bayou, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Innovation and Technology; Bethlehem Dessie, CEO of Gheero , Azimeraw Taddese initiative alumni and Mahlet Seyoum, a tech entrepreneur.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the panelists encouraged participants to continuously improve their skills, develop practical solutions and contribute to growth and innovation within Ethiopia’s digital ecosystem.

Bethlehem Dessie shared her personal experience, saying her career in technology began 17 years ago at the age of 10 despite having no access to digital technology at the time.

Comparing her experience with the opportunities available to young people today, she said the growing accessibility of technology has created a much easier pathway for youth to pursue their ambitions.

However, she stressed that access to technology alone is not enough and called for immediate action.

Bethlehem urged university students to stop waiting for opportunities, start driving change and proactively upgrade their skills to keep pace with technological advancements.

Azimeraw Taddese, an alumnus of the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, said he joined the program during his final years at university.

What began as an effort to learn coding eventually led him to develop a website connecting coders in Addis Ababa. He has since become a full stack developer.

“Don't stop at certification. Apply what you learn, then keep practicing. That's where real growth happens,” Azimeraw said.

He added that the initiative provided him with the foundation he needed to pursue his professional goals.

Mahlet Seyoum, another alumna of the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative and a tech entrepreneur, said programming does not require a specialized academic background.

She explained that individuals can develop solutions to meaningful problems by making use of available resources and examining challenges in their immediate surroundings.

Mahlet noted that the growing accessibility of educational tools and digital resources means young people can now address major challenges through technology.

She urged youth to continuously update their skills, enroll in targeted courses and equip themselves with modern technologies.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Abiyot Bayou, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Innovation and Technology, on his part emphasized that developing advanced platforms and achieving digital transformation would have limited impact without people possessing the skills required to use them effectively.

The objectives of Digital Ethiopia 2030, which include empowering citizens, building inclusive digital ecosystems, expanding digital accessibility and positioning Ethiopia as a digital hub, ultimately depend on the country’s human capacity, he added.

He also called on young professionals to actively develop their skills and pursue excellence in their respective fields.