Ethiopia Charts Its Digital Transformation at ETEX 2025
AI for Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue Held at Ethiopian Tech Expo 2025 in Addis Ababa
East Africa CISSA Meeting Held in Addis Ababa with Focus on Regional Security
Ethiopia Reaffirms Peacekeeping Commitment at UN Ministerial in Berlin
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accompanied by First Lady Zinash Tayachew and a high-level delegation, arrived in Paris, France, on Thursday (May 22). On the next day, PM Abiy and President of France Emmanuel Macron engaged in positive discussions on a wide range of issues that strengthen cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
Addis Ababa became the epicenter of Africa’s digital ambitions this May, as it hosted the largest technology conference and exhibition ever held in the country, the Ethiopian Technology Expo (ETEX 2025). Organized by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) in collaboration with the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), the three-day event brought together global leaders, innovators, policymakers, and investors at the Addis International Convention Center from May 16–18. (See article)
Ethiopia hosted the “AI for Africa” event on Saturday (May 17) as part of the Ethiopian Tech Expo 2025. Held on the second day of the expo, officially opened by Prime Minister Abiy, the event featured a high-level policy dialogue focused on advancing artificial intelligence in Africa on the continent’s own terms. (See article)
The East Africa Regional Meeting of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) was held from May 11-15 in the political and diplomatic capital of Africa, Addis Ababa. The meeting of intelligence chiefs of member states was themed “Enhancing Regional Security Through Intelligence Cooperation” and brought together participants from 13 African countries. (See article)
Prime Minister Abiy inaugurated the ID4Africa Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (May 20), a major continental conference and expo dedicated to advancing Africa’s digital identity for development agenda.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh led Ethiopia’s high-level delegation to the Second Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, the Fight Against Hunger, and Rural Development in Brazil on Tuesday (May 20), emphasizing Africa’s potential to achieve measurable development progress
The biennial United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting was held in Berlin on May 13–14, with the participation of 134 UN Member States. The theme of this year’s ministerial was “The Future of UN Peacekeeping—For More Effective and Safer UN Peace Operations.” Member states and regional organizations in attendance renewed their political commitment and pledged various peacekeeping capabilities, including personnel and equipment. (See article).
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos attended the third AU-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, which was held on Wednesday (May 21), with a thematic focus on current security challenges, multilateralism and prosperity.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera met separately with Chen Hai, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Berk Baran, Turkish Ambassador to Ethiopia, at his office on Thursday (May 22). Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, deepening economic ties, and exchanging views on regional issues.
He also received Endre Stiansen, Norway’s Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, on Wednesday (May 21). They discussed ways to strengthen Ethiopia–Norway relations and promote regional peace and security.
State Minister Hadera also met with a Chinese business delegation led by Wang Xiaohan, Vice President of the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, and encouraged investment in Ethiopia’s liberalizing economy on Monday (May 19).
The 14th Meeting of the Ethio-Russian Intergovernmental Working Group on Military and Technical Cooperation was held in Moscow on Wednesday (May 21). Ethiopia’s State Minister of Defense, Martha Luwigi, described the cooperation as a key pillar of the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa and Speaker of the House Tagese Chafo participated in the 20th ILO Regional Conference for Labour-Based Practitioners on Tuesday (May 20) at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. They highlighted Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform and the need for inclusive, coordinated action to achieve economic stability.
Ethiopia participated in the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting held in Brasília on Thursday (May 22). Ambassador Leul Tadesse affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to industrialization as a core element of its 10-Year Development Plan aimed at driving economic growth and job creation. Earlier, Ethiopia also participated in the 10th BRICS Energy Ministerial Meeting held in Brazil on Tuesday (May 20).
Somalia
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the 34th Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States in Baghdad on Saturday (May 17).
Sudan
On Monday (May 19), Sovereign Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan appointed Kamil al-Tayeb Idris as Prime Minister of Sudan. Idris is a former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and a past presidential candidate.
Africa and the African Union
On Wednesday (May 21), the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, participated the third AU-EU ministerial meetings in Brussels.
In a statement released on Monday (May 19), AUC Chairperson Youssouf welcomed the appointment of Kamil al-Tayeb Idris as Sudan’s Prime Minister, calling it a positive step toward inclusive governance.
Chairperson Youssouf and his delegation were received by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at Al-Salam Palace on Saturday (May 17) during his visit to attend the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad. Discussions focused on strengthening Iraq-Africa relations and exploring strategic cooperation opportunities.
Ethiopia Charts Its Digital Transformation at ETEX 2025
Addis Ababa became the epicenter of Africa’s digital ambitions this May, as it hosted the largest technology conference and exhibition ever held in the country, the Ethiopian Technology Expo (ETEX 2025). Organized by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) in collaboration with the Information Network Security Administration (INSA), the three-day event brought together global leaders, innovators, policymakers, and investors at the Addis International Convention Center from May 16–18.
Held under the theme of “Artificial Intelligence for African Unity and Prosperity,” the expo served not merely as a showcase of technological advances but as a strategic platform for dialogue, policy alignment, and cross-border collaboration. ETEX 2025 reflects Ethiopia’s broader national ambition to lead Africa’s digital transformation, a vision rooted in the country’s Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In his opening address, President Taye Atske Selassie emphasized the importance of purposeful collaboration in building a digitally empowered nation and government. “By working together in the field of technology,” he said, “let us build a digitally empowered nation and government.” The President highlighted Ethiopia’s decade-long investment in digital foundations and encouraged private institutions, regional and city administrations to support innovators. He said, “ETEX 2025 isn’t only an exhibition of technological advancement but a dynamic platform for ideation, foresight, transformative collaboration and implementation.”
He reminded participants that Ethiopia established the EAII more than five years ago, positioning it not as a passive consumer of foreign innovations but as a creator of impact and driver of Africa-led solutions. “To thrive in the digital economy,” he noted, “we must support innovators and build strong digital enablers.”
Worku Gachena, Director General of the EAII, announced that the event drew more than 15,000 attendees, a 20% increase over expectations. Over 100 institutions from both the public and private sectors and from multiple countries participated in exhibitions, panel discussions, and partnership dialogues.
The event featured panels, AI showcases, robotics competitions, and a dazzling 1,500-drone aerial light show, marking Ethiopia’s entry into a new digital era. Programs such as the 5 Million Coder Initiative were spotlighted as national strategies to equip citizens with 21st-century skills.
According to Worku, ETEX 2025 succeeded in positioning Ethiopia at the forefront of Africa’s digital future by catalyzing global cooperation, innovation, and investment. “This expo will catalyze global cooperation and position Ethiopia at the forefront of Africa’s digital future,” he said.
In a notable outcome of the event, the EAII signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four organizations: Learning Management System for Africa, Gas Pro, Elrobika Trading PLC, and Wingu Africa. These agreements target the integration of AI into digital education, the modernization of fuel monitoring, and the development of foundational AI infrastructure.
ETEX 2025 also served as a platform for encouraging African countries to adopt unified AI governance systems, an initiative that supports both digital sovereignty and economic integration on the continent.
Tigist Hamid, Director General of INSA, underscored the role of institutional collaboration in achieving long-term technological goals. She highlighted that innovation is no longer a luxury, but a strategic imperative for national development. INSA’s involvement, she added, exemplifies Ethiopia’s commitment to secure, inclusive, and forward-thinking technology policy.
Organizers, including EAII and INSA confirmed that ETEX will now be an annual event, marking a permanent fixture on the continent’s tech calendar. They thanked stakeholders, institutions, and individuals who helped make ETEX 2025 a resounding success.
In a continent where digital divides and technological challenges still persist, ETEX 2025 has proven that Ethiopia is not only navigating these complexities but actively shaping Africa’s digital future.
AI for Africa High-Level Policy Dialogue Held at Ethiopian Tech Expo 2025 in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia hosted the “AI for Africa” event on Saturday (May 17) as part of the Ethiopian Tech Expo 2025. Held on the second day of the expo, officially opened by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the event featured a high-level policy dialogue focused on advancing artificial intelligence in Africa on the continent’s own terms.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the African Union, and the Institute for Security Studies, opened with welcoming remarks from Worku Gachena, Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute. He highlighted the continent’s historic opportunity to use AI as a driver of transformation and emphasized that ethical development and implementation of AI require collaboration.
In her statement, Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, outlined the African Union’s AI ambitions. She stated that the vision is to harness AI for Africa’s development and prosperity, focusing on making AI accessible for socio-economic growth, fostering homegrown AI capacity, advancing multisectoral and multistakeholder governance, and promoting innovative regulations that enable AI adoption while protecting African people.
Prime Minister Abiy officially opened the high-level dialogue, stating that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a current engine of development across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and governance. He acknowledged risks like job displacement and inequality arising from rapid technological progress, calling for bold, inclusive policies, agile regulation, and a strong commitment to data sovereignty to ensure AI development aligns with African needs and values.
Prime Minister Abiy highlighted Ethiopia’s digital progress over the past five years, including the creation of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, telecom liberalization, renewable energy growth, the issuance of over 15 million digital IDs and local innovation and education through initiatives like the 5 Million Coders program. Looking ahead, he stressed the government’s committed to strengthening digital infrastructure, protecting digital sovereignty, investing in digital literacy and AI education, and building an inclusive digital economy. He urged Africa to lead in shaping a future where technology benefits all.
The first panel of the day, moderated by Billene Seyoum, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, featured key continental and international voices. Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos, AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, UN Under-Secretary-General on Digital and Emerging Technologies Amandeep Gill, and Algeria’s AI Scientific Council Chair, Merouane Debbah, discussed strategies to promote AI adoption across Africa. They emphasized the need for coordinated policies, capacity-building, and regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible and transformative AI integration.
The following two panels featured global experts and focused on responsible AI governance. The first highlighted best practices from the UK, UAE, China, and Brazil, with Fonteh Akum of the Institute for Security Studies moderating and emphasizing mutual learning and partnerships with Africa. The final panel stressed the urgency of addressing the AI divide through inclusive policies, regional coordination, and public-private partnerships to accelerate AI adoption across the continent.
The Communiqué issued at the event’s conclusion declared Artificial Intelligence a strategic priority for Africa and committed to collaboratively developing the digital infrastructure, high-quality datasets, compute capabilities, skills, and research capacity necessary to support ethical and responsible AI development. This commitment aims to drive sustainable development while mitigating risks associated with AI.
The Communiqué further pledged to harness AI’s vast potential to accelerate the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, ensuring AI development and governance are integral to Africa’s long-term strategic vision for inclusive economic growth, social progress, and sustainable development. It was also agreed to maintain momentum; the next Dialogue edition is scheduled during the AU Summit in February 2026 in Addis Ababa.
East Africa CISSA Meeting Held in Addis Ababa with Focus on Regional Security
The East Africa Regional Meeting of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) was held from May 11-15 in the political and diplomatic capital of Africa, Addis Ababa. The meeting of intelligence chiefs of member states was themed “Enhancing Regional Security Through Intelligence Cooperation” and brought together participants from 13 African countries.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said the Eastern African region faces hard truths as violence continues to erupt, crime spills across borders, and armed groups exploit division and instability. “Ethiopia,” DPM Temesgen stated, “has long stood for solidarity—for regional peace—and for the conviction that no country can thrive in isolation while its neighbors grapple with insecurity.” Notwithstanding the manifold challenges the region continues to grapple with, we have also witnessed what is possible when nations choose collaboration over confrontation, he told participants. Among others, the DPM mentioned the fact that joint operations have disrupted criminal networks and intelligence sharing has saved countless lives.
Speaking of the need for ensuring lasting peace and security in the region and Africa at large, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored that it requires more than that: “They demand initiative, cooperation, unwavering commitment, and the strengthening of institutions dedicated to safety and stability.” Doing so is a guarantee that “a peaceful and prosperous Africa is within our reach—when we craft African solutions to African challenges, embrace modern technologies, and work together to prevent cross-border crime,” he added.
The Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Redwan Hussien, on his part stated that,
“Over the last decade, East Africa has encountered a multifaceted evolving security landscape. The region has grappled with political instability, internal disputes, external interventions, escalating threats of organized crime, cyber-attacks, transnational terrorism, piracy, and climate-induced conflicts. Our region is undeniably confronting some of the most intricate security challenges in the world.”
The Director General noted these regional traits do not recognize borders, nor do they respect the sovereignty of each state. They, as such, are naturally transnational, necessitating a consolidated effort from all CISA member countries, he said.
In light of these complex, volatile and ever-evolving challenges, Redwan unequivocally stressed the importance of cooperation that cannot be overstated. He told participants that “We must work together to effectively combat such intricate security threats. We must also join forces and forge ahead effectively to combat such complex security challenges, establishing a united front on cooperation, mutual respect, and shared intelligence that fortifies our collective resilience.”
He added that leaders and experts in African intelligence and security services have a duty not only to safeguard their own nations but also to ensure the security of the broader Eastern African region.
He also said that “the era in which nations could insulate themselves from regional security challenges on their own has long passed.” He further stated that commendable strides in such aspects of fostering intelligence cooperation among East African countries were made possible through seamless cooperation while being cognizant of the fact that much is yet to be desired. In addressing the gaps and leveraging the advantages offered by shared security and intelligence resources, he noted, “Implementing effective intelligence-sharing mechanisms is essential to pre-empt potential crises before they escalate.” To quote,
“The challenges we encounter in East African region are indeed formidable. However, the path to overcoming these regional issues lies in enhancing multifaceted cooperation among the intelligence services of our member countries and our partners.”
In practical terms, he mentioned that these collaborative efforts have been instrumental in mitigating the impact of terrorism, cross-border crimes, illegal arms trafficking, and illicit financial flows and human trafficking.
It is to be recalled that the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) was established on August 26, 2004, in Abuja to help the African Union tackle pressing security challenges. Its headquarters was inaugurated in Addis Ababa on February 9, 2020, to provide the AU with timely intelligence and serve as a platform for member states to share expertise and address common threats.
Ethiopia Reaffirms Peacekeeping Commitment at UN Ministerial in Berlin
The biennial United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting was held in Berlin on May 13–14, with the participation of 134 UN Member States. The theme of this year’s ministerial was “The Future of UN Peacekeeping—For More Effective and Safer UN Peace Operations.” Member states and regional organizations in attendance renewed their political commitment and pledged various peacekeeping capabilities, including personnel and equipment.
In her statement, Minister of Defense, Aisha Mohammed, recalled the country’s longstanding support for UN peacekeeping since its inception and announced new pledges. She emphasized that the ongoing dialogue on reform must address the erosion of trust by host countries and ensure that force capabilities are commensurate with mission mandates. The Minister also highlighted the credibility gap faced by the Security Council due to its lack of representativeness and decision-making structure.
Furthermore, she underscored the critical importance of cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, specifically the African Union, in peacekeeping. To this end, she called for the immediate implementation of Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023).
In his remarks, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described peacekeeping as a clear demonstration of the power of multilateralism to maintain, achieve, and sustain peace. He outlined cases where UN peacekeeping had helped bring about durable peace and urged unified support from all member states for the ongoing review of UN peace operations. The review aims to make peacekeeping more effective, adaptable, flexible, and resilient.
UN peacekeeping today faces interlocking challenges, including geopolitical divisions, shifting conflict dynamics, inadequate funding and capabilities, and increasing risks to peacekeepers’ safety and security. If successful, the reform process could galvanize the political will needed to address these challenges.
On the recurring issue of peacekeeping financing, Ethiopia underscored the obligation of all UN Member States to pay their duly apportioned contributions. It also stressed that cost-saving measures must not undermine mandate implementation or jeopardize the safety and security of troops. Ethiopia paid the highest tribute to its men and women in uniform who have served the cause of peace and protected civilians in some of the world’s most precarious security environments.
Ethiopia has served as one of the thirteen co-chairs of the Peacekeeping Ministerial process since its inception in London in 2016.
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