ADDIS ABABA - Over 95,000 Ethiopian youths have commenced training in digital technologies under the ambitious 'Five Million Ethiopian Coders' program, according to the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. This initiative, spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aims to significantly enhance the digital skills of young Ethiopians.

According to the Ethiopian News Agency, the program is designed to impart skills in web programming, Android development, data science, and artificial intelligence, preparing participants for technology roles domestically and abroad. The project, part of the broader Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, seeks to transform Ethiopia into a digitally empowered society and economy over the next three years.

State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Yishrun Alemayehu, emphasized the critical need for such training, noting that Ethiopia's digital skill levels are currently lower than many other African nations. The partnership with the UAE will ensure that the training concludes with an internationally accredited certificate after a six-week course, delivered online by the UDTC, an organization specializing in digital skills education.

Yishrun also highlighted logistical plans to facilitate training across the country, including provisions for regions with limited power and internet access. He called on trainees to fully engage with the program, which is set to expand its reach significantly over the next three years, ensuring all regional quotas are met and supported.