Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has officially launched the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy, a national initiative aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s technological capacity and enabling the country to harness the benefits of the digital economy.
The strategy is playing a pivotal role in transforming the Addis Ababa Smart City initiative from vision into reality.
According to the Addis Ababa City Innovation and Technology Development Bureau, the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy is being implemented in close coordination with the capital’s Smart City development plan. This integrated approach is designed to ensure efficient and sustainable digital transformation across the city.
In an interview with AMN Digital, Yonas Demsew, Head of the ICT Standards Preparation and Regulatory Team, explained that the strategy focuses on expanding access to digital infrastructure, promoting citizens’ participation in the digital economy, and strengthening modern interaction systems between the government and the public.
Yonas noted that the modern electric poles installed under Addis Ababa’s corridor development project now integrate internet connectivity, CCTV surveillance, and 5G network services into a unified infrastructure system.
Yonas added that the expansion of Mesob one-stop service centers and the introduction of modern digital payment systems are further accelerating the city’s progress toward becoming a Smart City. To ensure data security and uphold data sovereignty, Yonas said a feasibility study has been completed for the construction of a state-of-the-art data center designed to meet Addis Ababa’s growing data demands.
The facility will enable the efficient collection and use of vast amounts of data generated daily, supporting improved service delivery in key sectors such as health, education, and urban development.
Yonas emphasized that the ongoing digital infrastructure developments are not only critical to realizing Addis Ababa’s Smart City vision but also play a vital role in enhancing public safety, service efficiency, and sustainable urban growth.
By Birhanu Workneh
