Addis ababa: Ethiopia is making significant strides in resolving historical barriers that have restricted women's access to markets and financial services driven by the digital economy, Women and Social Affairs State Minister Hikma Keyeradin said. Opening the 15th COMESA Technical Committee Meeting on Gender and Women's Affairs, the state minister noted that true and inclusive development is impossible without the full participation of women.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the state minister emphasized that Ethiopia's national strategy is aligned with regional frameworks, and efforts are underway to revise the national policy on gender equality to strengthen legal and institutional foundations. She highlighted the importance of innovation in the 21st century, pointing to the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy as central to the country's progress.
Hikma Keyeradin stated that technology acts as an equalizer, with digitization breaking down historical barriers to women's access to markets and financial services. A key element of this digital revolution is the Digital National ID (Fayda), which provides a secure digital identity, simplifying access to credit, land ownership, and government services for women and youth.
The Mesob Digital e-Service platform is another initiative enhancing citizen-state interactions by making administrative operations simple and transparent, benefiting women entrepreneurs who juggle businesses and households. The state minister also mentioned the need for physical infrastructure alongside digital advancements, citing Ethiopia's commitment to regional electric integration as evidence of the country's belief in shared prosperity.
Hikma underscored that connecting power grids facilitates goods and services movement and reduces production costs for small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which are led by women and youth. Reliable and affordable energy is crucial for the next generation of African female-led industries.
COMESA Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Kadah commended Ethiopia for its leadership in promoting gender equality and women empowerment. He noted that gender equality and women's economic empowerment are central to sustainable development and regional integration, with COMESA committed to supporting gender-responsive policies and programs.
Kadah emphasized COMESA's dedication to strengthening institutional capacity for gender-responsive economic development, drawing encouragement from progress across the region.