ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the STRIDE Ethiopia Expo 2024 at the ICT Park on Friday, signaling a new phase for the nation’s ICT sector and its integration with global technological trends.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the expo embodies Ethiopia’s commitment to technological innovation and its potential to drive the country’s digital transformation. The event, which will run from May 19-26, is hosted at the Science Museum and aims to catalyze collaboration across various sectors, including startups, academia, and government.

During his remarks, Ahmed pointed out the strategic role of the ICT Park in housing cutting-edge projects that are set to modernize Ethiopia’s agricultural sector and support the construction of smart cities. He emphasized the importance of utilizing local world-class data centers for effective data management and reducing energy waste.

The Prime Minister also announced a government initiative to train five million Ethiopians in technology and computer programming, targeting individuals with aptitudes in mathematics and science. This move is aimed at aligning Ethiopia’s workforce with the demands of a technology-driven global market.

Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, described STRIDE Ethiopia as a pivotal event for achieving the nation’s ambitions in science, technology, and innovation. The expo, themed ‘Science Unlocks, Technology Connects, Innovation Drives’, is designed to be an annual event fostering growth and collaboration in the fields of Science, Technology, Research, Innovation, Digitalization, and Entrepreneurship.