Ethiopia Hits 5 Million Coders Milestone as Part of Digital Transformation Drive
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday (June 15) officially launched Ethiopia’s 2026 Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) in Bishoftu, setting a target of planting eight billion seedlings. (See article)
Ethiopia has surpassed five million enrollments under the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, reaching 5,005,146 participants in less than two years since the program’s launch. This was announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who noted that the initiative, launched in 2024, has so far registered participants in Programming, Data Analysis, Android Development, and Artificial Intelligence fundamentals. (See article)
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera met with IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary General Mohamed Abdi Ware on Friday (June 19) to discuss strengthening IGAD’s role in advancing regional peace, stability, integration, and sustainable development.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera met on Thursday (June 18) with Julia Duncan, Vice President and Global Head of Development Finance at Bayer, and highlighted Ethiopia’s investment opportunities, macroeconomic reforms, strategic location, and market potential while encouraging the expansion of the company’s operations in the agriculture and health sectors.
Ambassador Hadera held discussions with Chen Hai, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, on Wednesday (June 17) on advancing Ethiopia–China relations and deepening bilateral cooperation. Their discussions focused on emerging technologies, particularly AI governance, as well as green development and climate priorities, including support for COP32 logistics.
On Tuesday (June 16), Ambassador Hadera bid farewell to Olivia Leslie, Ambassador of Ireland to Ethiopia, and expressed appreciation for her dedicated service and engagement throughout her tenure. The State Minister noted that her contributions had played an important role in further strengthening the longstanding relations between Ethiopia and Ireland.
State Minister Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye held discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with private transport investors, focusing on establishing adequate, reliable, and high-quality transport services during major events hosted in Addis Ababa. The meeting aimed to enhance private sector participation in international and continental summits and conferences to be hosted in Ethiopia.
Africa and the African Union
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was received by President Évariste Ndayishimiye at the Presidential Palace in Bujumbura on Monday (June 15) for the AU Summit on Ebola in Burundi.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Launches This Year’s Green Legacy Initiative With 8 Billion Seedling Target
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Monday (June 15) officially launched Ethiopia’s 2026 Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) in Bishoftu, setting a target of planting 8 billion seedlings.
Announcing the launch, the Prime Minister said the country is steadily advancing toward its broader goal of planting 65 billion trees. “Today, we officially launched this year’s Green Legacy Initiative. With a target of planting 8 billion seedlings this year, we are steadily advancing toward our larger set goal of 65 billion trees. Join the movement and leave your green legacy for future generations,” he stated.
He called on citizens across the country to actively participate in the initiative and contribute to building a greener and more climate-resilient future.
Launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Green Legacy Initiative was conceived as a nationwide effort to restore degraded ecosystems, combat deforestation and soil erosion, expand forest cover, improve air and water quality, and create green employment opportunities. Over the years, it has evolved into a major environmental campaign that mobilizes millions of Ethiopians from all walks of life.
Since its inception, more than 48 billion seedlings have been planted across the country. Conducted annually during the rainy season, the campaign has grown into one of the world’s largest tree-planting programs, reflecting Ethiopia’s commitment to environmental restoration and climate resilience.
The initiative promotes a diverse range of seedlings, including fruit trees, fodder plants, fuel wood, and ornamental species, helping to support livelihoods while enhancing urban and rural landscapes. Its impact has also extended beyond Ethiopia’s borders, earning international recognition as a model for climate action. As part of regional efforts to combat desertification and environmental degradation, Ethiopia has supplied multipurpose seedlings to neighboring countries, including Djibouti.
Ethiopia Hits 5 Million Coders Milestone as Part of Digital Transformation Drive
Ethiopia has surpassed five million enrollments under the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative, reaching 5,005,146 participants in less than two years since the program’s launch. This was announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. He noted that the initiative, launched in 2024, has so far registered participants in Programming, Data Analysis, Android Development, and Artificial Intelligence fundamentals.
He further stated that this milestone represents an important step in the country’s broader digital transformation agenda, while emphasizing that Ethiopia is now setting its sights on reaching seven million enrollments by August 2026.
The Prime Minister also called on Ethiopians to actively engage with the program, encouraging citizens, particularly students, to make use of the summer break to enroll in the free training opportunities and obtain internationally recognized certifications.
The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative is a joint digital capacity-building program launched by the Government of Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. It is designed to provide free, internationally certified online training in key technology fields.
Ethiopia is currently advancing its broader Digital Ethiopia strategy, which combines large-scale investment in physical digital infrastructure such as national data centers, tech parks, and the liberalization of the telecommunications sector with major human capital development programs aimed at expanding digital skills across the population.
Within this framework, the coding initiative serves as a pipeline for emerging local tech companies by equipping young people with practical skills and institutional support to develop and scale innovative solutions that address local challenges.
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