Ethio Coders Graduates Drive Digital Transformation in Public Institutions

Addis ababa: Young Ethiopians trained under the national Five Million Ethio Coders program are developing homegrown digital systems that are beginning to modernize public institutions and improve service delivery across sectors.According to Ethiopian News Agency, trainees in Addis Ababa say the program has equipped them with practical expertise in software development, data science, and artificial intelligence, enabling them to design solutions that directly respond to institutional challenges. The Addis Ababa City Administration Innovation and Technology Development Bureau confirmed that the initiative is shaping a new generation of digitally skilled youth capable of enhancing efficiency through technology-driven solutions.Launched on July 16, 2024, under the initiative of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Five Million Ethio Coders program aims to equip citizens nationwide with advanced digital knowledge and practical skills. At its launch, the Prime Minister described the initiative as a strategic platform to nurture a capable workforce that will drive Ethiopia's technological advancement and national development.The program continues to attract young participants seeking internationally recognized certification while expanding their expertise in key digital fields. Thousands of trainees are already gaining hands-on skills in web development, Android application development, data science, and artificial intelligence, with many developing locally relevant technologies that have broader applications across Africa.Speaking to ENA, participants said the training has enabled them to build practical systems focused on solving real institutional and societal problems. Getasew Abebe, an ICT specialist at the Addis Ababa City Environmental Protection Authority, said he completed all four training modules within a short period. 'The training gave me the practical skills to develop Android applications and other digital systems,' he said. He added that nine technology systems he developed through the program have been recognized by the city administration and are now operational.Another trainee, Azmeraw Tadesse, an Information Technology graduate of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, said the initiative significantly strengthened his technical capacity. He noted that he developed a digital platform called Addis Ababa Coders, which tracks and displays Ethio Coders training activities across all sub-cities of the capital.Deputy Head of the Addis Ababa City Innovation and Technology Development Bureau, Tulu Tilahun, said the program is playing a key role in building a digitally competent society. 'The program is creating opportunities to produce citizens equipped with the digital knowledge and skills needed for the country's technological transformation,' he said. He added that graduates are already contributing to systems that promote modern, efficient, and reliable public service delivery.According to the bureau, Addis Ababa initially set a target to train more than 809,000 citizens under the program. So f ar, over 900,000 people have registered, while about 678,000 have completed the training. Officials emphasized that equal focus is being given to all four digital skills pathways to ensure the development of competent and globally competitive professionals.