Indian industrialist Bhavesh Chandaria praised Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy as a historic chance to leapfrog trade development stages. With 70 million mobile users and a youthful population, Ethiopia can build a transparent digital economy. Challenges remain, but the initiative positions Ethiopia as a future hub for digital innovation.
Ethiopia’s ambitious Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy has drawn international praise, with Indian industry leader Bhavesh Chandaria, General Manager of Ethiopian Steel PLC, describing it as a historic opportunity for the country to bypass traditional trade development stages and accelerate into a modern, technology-driven economy.
In an interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Chandaria emphasized that Ethiopia’s late entry into digitalization is actually a strategic advantage. By adopting the latest technologies directly, the country can “take the elevator to the top floor” rather than climbing the conventional ladder of incremental development.
Key Highlights
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Youth Demographics: With 70% of Ethiopia’s population under 30 and over 70 million mobile users, the nation has a strong foundation to embrace digital transformation.
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Global Best Practices: Chandaria urged Ethiopia to learn from international experiences and adapt them to local needs, ensuring that reforms are both innovative and culturally relevant.
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Cultural Promotion: He highlighted opportunities in digital arts, sports analytics, and cultural exports, suggesting Ethiopia could showcase its rich heritage globally through digital platforms.
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Economic Potential: The strategy aims to build a transparent, citizen-centric digital economy, enhancing productivity, trade efficiency, and governance.
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Leapfrogging Development: Unlike countries that had to evolve through slower industrial stages, Ethiopia can skip directly to advanced digital systems, positioning itself as a competitive player in global trade.
Context and Impact
The Digital Ethiopia 2030 initiative, launched by the Ethiopian government, is designed to embed digital transformation across society, from governance and trade to education and healthcare. By prioritizing inclusivity and sovereignty, the strategy seeks to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital revolution.
Chandaria’s remarks underscore the optimism among foreign investors and industrialists who see Ethiopia as a rising hub for digital innovation. The combination of a youthful population, expanding mobile connectivity, and government commitment creates fertile ground for startups, fintech solutions, and e-commerce platforms.
Risks and Challenges
While the vision is promising, experts caution that Ethiopia must address:
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Infrastructure Gaps: Reliable internet connectivity and power supply remain critical challenges.
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Policy Frameworks: Strong regulatory systems are needed to ensure data security, privacy, and fair competition.
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Skill Development: Large-scale training programs will be essential to equip the youth with digital skills.
Despite these hurdles, the momentum behind Digital Ethiopia 2030 suggests that the country is poised to transform its trade and development trajectory in the coming decade.
Sources:ENA , PMO Ethiopia
