Ethiopia Aims to Lead Africa’s AI-Powered Future

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to leading Africa’s technological transformation, highlighting the vital role of homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Speaking at the AI for Africa program during the Ethiopian Tech Expo 2025 (ETEX 2025), Abiy outlined a vision for a digitally sovereign Africa that develops and controls its own technological platforms. “With a clear strategic vision and bold investment, Africa can shape AI on its own terms—anchored in ethics, inclusion, and sustainability,” he said.

Abiy highlighted key Ethiopian initiatives such as the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Digital ID program, and the “5 Million Coders” campaign as examples of how policy is being translated into impactful innovation. “Africa must not be a passive recipient of foreign AI tools,” he added. “We must become innovators and architects of our own future.”

The session, themed Leveraging AI for Africa’s Prosperity and Collaboration, gathered regional and global stakeholders dedicated to advancing technology-driven development across the continent.

ETEX 2025 opened on May 16 at the Addis International Convention Center, drawing over 10,000 participants. Co-organized by the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) and the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, the three-day event focuses on cybersecurity, AI, fintech, smart cities, and technology education.

A standout moment was a record-breaking drone show featuring 1,500 drones – the largest ever in Africa—illustrating Ethiopia’s digital journey and ambitions as a regional innovation hub.

As African nations increasingly adopt digital technologies across sectors, Ethiopia’s proactive investment in AI positions it as a leader in shaping the continent’s digital future. Abiy called for greater pan-African collaboration to build digital resilience through shared policies, infrastructure, and education, ensuring inclusive progress in the age of AI.