Japan reaffirms support for AI development in Ethiopia and Africa
Date: 2026-03-17
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence
Institute (EAII) has welcomed Hashimoto Yasuhiro,
representing Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), to
reaffirm the country’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence
development in Ethiopia and across Africa.
During the visit, EAII Director General Worku Gachena briefed the delegation on the
Institute’s initiatives, including the UNIPOD programme, which supports AI
startups, promotes innovation, and develops AI solutions for societal
challenges. Hashimoto highlighted the creativity and potential of the startups
at EAII and emphasized Japan’s focus on empowering young innovators and
integrating them into the global technology ecosystem.
The
discussions underscored Japan’s commitment to fostering AI technologies,
supporting local innovation, and collaborating with African partners to address
social and economic challenges through technology-driven solutions.
