Addis Ababa: Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh emphasized the necessity for Africa to not only participate in the global digital economy but to lead in innovation. He delivered a keynote speech at the 9th Session of the Statistical Commission for Africa, which convened experts from across the continent, united by the objective of unlocking African innovation in statistical development.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Temesgen highlighted the significance of adopting new technologies to enhance planning and decision-making processes within the public sector. He noted the rapid advancement of technology, citing examples such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and digital innovations that are transforming various fields, including statistics. These innovations provide Africa with an opportunity to accelerate progress towards the goals outlined in Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Temesgen stressed the need for Africa to embrace new technologies to improve public sector planning and
decision-making. He declared Ethiopia’s commitment to this transformation by adopting innovative approaches, including community-based data collection and advanced digital methods, to ensure statistics remain relevant, timely, and actionable. The Deputy Prime Minister also referenced the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2020-2030, highlighting its urgency.
He pointed out that Africa’s future hinges on its ability to innovate, underscoring the importance of building a statistical ecosystem that supports development and fosters inclusion. He mentioned Ethiopia’s utilization of geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance decision-making and ensure no one is left behind.
Temesgen acknowledged the contributions of universities like Addis Ababa University, which collaborates on projects reflecting the unique socio-economic landscape and trains the next generation of statisticians and data scientists. He also mentioned Ethiopia’s embrace of artificial intelligence and mac
hine learning to analyze vast data quickly and accurately, with the potential to predict economic trends or health outcomes in real-time.
Ethiopia’s 10-Year Development Plan outlines a path for sustainable growth supported by robust data systems. The nation is conducting national surveys to gather critical data for planning and monitoring and is modernizing its statistical services by moving towards a fully digital Population and Housing Census. This aligns with the outcomes of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly of the Future, where global leaders committed to utilizing emerging technologies for the common good.