By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
Ethiopia’s Minister of
Innovation and Technology, Frehiwot Tamiru, has called for stronger
coordination among institutions under his ministry to accelerate digital
transformation, promote digital inclusion and support the country’s development
ambitions.
The minister made the call
during a meeting with the heads of six executive institutions responsible to
the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, held at his office in accordance
with Article 32 of Proclamation No. 1440/2019, which defines the names, organisation,
powers and duties of the executive bodies of the federal government.
The institutions are the
Ethiopian Technology Authority, Ethiopian Communications Authority, Space
Science and Geospatial Institute, Institute of Innovation and Technology Talent
Development, Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority, and the National Research
Fund and Council.
During the meeting, Frehiwot
noted that the institutions had been established with new duties and
responsibilities under the new proclamation, with some transferred to the
ministry from other sectors and their mandates reassigned.
He emphasised the need to
create an enabling environment across the sector to implement digitalisation at
the desired pace and achieve the objectives of Ethiopia’s Grand Strategy.
Noting that the meeting was
intended to assess the current status of the institutions, support their future
missions and identify areas requiring coordination, the minister expressed
confidence in the country's digital transformation agenda.
“I am confident that the
country will be stimulated by digital transformation and we will make a big
difference,” he said.
He added that the
institutions must work together with accountable bodies and local and foreign
partners to build a “digital Ethiopia” that responds to the country’s needs,
adds value and promotes digital inclusion.
The heads of the
institutions presented their respective organisations’ main activities,
achievements, identified challenges and future plans. They also discussed ways
to strengthen coordination, improve information exchange and use their
institutional capacities in an integrated manner for common objectives.
The minister directed the
management of the institutions to prepare documents detailing their status in
accordance with the relevant guideline. He also announced plans to conduct
field observations and visit each institution in person.
Concluding the meeting,
Frehiwot outlined further directions for the institutions, including
maintaining strengths, addressing gaps, strengthening coordination mechanisms,
creating an enabling environment, aligning their vision with the Grand Strategy
and improving areas requiring attention.
