Over 31,000 Ethiopians Certified as Coders Through National Training Initiative

ADDIS ABABA: Over 31,000 Ethiopians have been certified as coders through the "Five Million Ethiopian Coders" training initiative, a program aimed at enhancing digital skills across the nation. This achievement was announced by Belete Mola, the Minister of Innovation and Technology, during a 100-day performance review of the 2017 fiscal year, attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the training program has seen participation from over 246,000 citizens nationwide. The initiative is part of a broader macroeconomic reform in Ethiopia that has been attracting significant investment in the innovation and technology sector. Minister Belete Mola highlighted that the reform has led to the strengthening of market openings and a revival across all economic sectors, particularly in information and technology.The increased interest from both foreign and domestic investors in the digitalization sector is a testament to the successful implementation of these reforms. The "Five Million Ethiopian Coders" initiative, launched in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aims to boost digital technology capabilities among Ethiopian youth. The program's focus is on providing skills in web programming, Android development, data science, AI, and other basic digital technologies over the next three years.The initiative is designed not only to improve technological knowledge within Ethiopia but also to prepare its youth for opportunities in various countries. Belete Mola emphasized the importance of supporting young coders and startups with creative potential, as well as focusing on developing indigenous technologies to reduce reliance on imports.