By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Ethiopian Prime Minister
Abiy Ahmed has announced plans to establish the Medemer University of
Artificial Intelligence in Addis Ababa and invited Russian universities and
research institutions to collaborate with Ethiopia in teaching and scientific
research.
Abiy made the announcement
during his address at the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit, where he highlighted
artificial intelligence, local expertise and African data sovereignty as key
priorities for the continent’s technological future.
He emphasised that
international cooperation should go beyond establishing technological
facilities to developing local professionals capable of operating, managing and
regulating them.
The Prime Minister noted
that artificial intelligence is increasingly central to national knowledge and
technological capability, stressing that the way AI systems are developed will
determine which languages are supported and whose experiences are represented.
“African researchers should
be able to create tools in the languages of our people,” Abiy said,
underscoring the importance of developing AI systems that reflect Africa’s
linguistic and cultural diversity.
He also stressed that
innovation must extend beyond research laboratories into production and trade,
positioning technological development as part of Africa’s broader economic
transformation.
The proposed Medemer
University of Artificial Intelligence is expected to form part of Ethiopia’s
efforts to strengthen local AI expertise and expand scientific research through
international partnerships.
Abiy’s remarks placed local
AI development, African-language technology, responsible data governance and
international research cooperation at the centre of Ethiopia’s emerging
artificial intelligence ambitions.
