Addis Ababa – Ethiopia’s State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Baysa Bedada, urged development partners today to strengthen collaboration in the field of innovation and technology to accelerate the country’s development. The call was made during the Science, Technology, Research, Innovation, Digitization, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE-Ethiopia) forum held at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa, marking the conclusion of the week-long STRIDE Ethiopia Expo.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, recent advances in Ethiopia in the domains of innovation and technology underscore the need for enhanced partnerships. The State Minister highlighted the importance of collaboration in a world increasingly shaped by technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. “The Ministry of Innovation and Technology is at a crucial point in its journey towards progress. The combined efforts of our partners and the steadfast commitment of the Ethiopian government have established a strong foundation for growth and transformation,” he stated.
During his speech, Bedada emphasized the ministry’s initiatives in fostering an innovation ecosystem through investments in research and development, promoting entrepreneurship, and developing supportive policies aimed at empowering local talent and cultivating a sustainable, needs-based economy driven by innovation.
Additionally, he pointed to successful collaborations with development partners in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance. Bedada advocated for integrating Ethiopia’s traditional knowledge and cultural heritage with modern technology to ensure development is inclusive and culturally sensitive.
The State Minister also underscored the importance of embracing continuous learning and experimentation with disruptive technologies to remain at the forefront of innovation and drive sustainable development. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to working collaboratively with international partners to harness collective expertise for inclusive and sustainable progress.
Representatives from the European Union Delegation in Ethiopia, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) participated in a panel discussion at the forum, expressing their support for the STRIDE initiative to empower both the private sector and governmental institutions for the benefit of the Ethiopian people.