Over 95,000 Youth Attending ‘Five Million Ethiopian Coders’ Training Program

Addis Ababa: More than 95,000 youth across the country are participating in the training on coding which is part of the 'Five Million Ethiopian Coders' training program, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology disclosed.The 'Five Million Coders' program launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently is being implemented in partnership with United Arab Emirates (UAE) to boost digital technology capability among the youth.The project is aimed at improving the technological knowledge of the youth to enable them to work in various countries too.The project envisages training to five million youth on web programing, developing android, data science, AI and to enable them acquire skills on basic digital technologies over the coming three years.State Minister of Innovation and Technology, Yishrun Alemayehu told ENA that developing digital skills is of paramount importance in developing digital economy in the country.He added that compared to other African countries, the development of digital skills in E thiopia is at rather lower level and demands more practical action, adding that the training is important to upgrading and developing digital skills.Creating a society with digital skills is one of the major goals of Digital Ethiopia 2025 and trainings on coding will be instrumental to realizing one of the objectives of the policy, he added.The 'Five Million Coders' program which is being conducted in partnership with UAE will provide a training package of six weeks at the end of which the participants will be awarded with internationally accredited certificate, he further added.The State Minister further noted that the training will be conducted by UDTC, an international organization that provides online trainings on data science, android development and programing.The trainings will help to create a society that is well equipped with digital skills and now more than 95,000 youth have already started taking the training upon registration in the first round, he revealed.Yishrun further noted that th e training will be conducted over a period of 3 years and every region and city administrations have been allotted training quota they can use, adding that necessary support will be provided for areas with shortage of power and internet connections.He said that the government will do everything to ensure the completion of the program and called upon the trainees to make all the necessary preparations to complete the skills training.Source: Ethiopian News Agency