Winning the War Within: Ethiopia’s quest for progress amid chaos

Ethiopia, a landlocked East African nation, is at a critical inflection point in its path to growth and stability. The country is going full throttle with its arsenal of policies, digital transformation, and strategic tie-ups, determined to beat all development barriers – weak infrastructure, political instability, high population growth rate, poverty, heavy dependability on rain-fed agriculture, low education levels, and a lack of access to finance. However, strategic reforms and stable governance are crucial for its sustained growth. Here is an account of the country’s recent efforts and wins.

Economic Growth and Emerging Markets

Ethiopia’s economy is projected to grow at a rate of 6.7% in 2024–25, reflecting its potential as a key player in Africa’s emerging markets. It can do well by leveraging the current focus on Africa as an emerging market for consumer goods and the Internet of Things (IoT) market.

Digital Transformation and Telecom Expansion

The information and communications sector has experienced significant growth, driven by telecom market liberalization. In 2020, the Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) opened the telecom market to private players, drawing an international consortium to the local market. Mobile telecommunications ushered in the digital economy, accounting for almost 2% of the country’s GDP today. The government’s Digital Ethiopia 2025 initiative aims to digitise the economy and integrate technology into mainstream public life. Several verticals such as e-trade, e-services, etc., since then have been under the ambit of digital transformation.

IoT and Energy Access

The nation’s IoT market is expected to generate over USD 1 billion, particularly in the automotive sector. However, energy accessibility remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas. The Ethiopia Electrification Program (ELEAP) has significantly improved lives by expanding electricity access. With initiatives like Mission 300, which aims to provide electricity to sub-Saharan Africa, Ethiopia is set to empower its digital and e-commerce sectors in the coming years.

Ethiopia’s economy is projected to grow at a rate of 6.7% in 2024–25, reflecting its potential as a key player in Africa’s emerging markets

Talent Development

Ethiopia, the country in the Horn of Africa, leads the way with the Ethiopia Education Transformation Operation for Learning (ETOL). The initiative aims to increase education accessibility to 19.6 million children in primary and pre-primary schools. With support from the World Bank, UNICEF, and other international organizations, this initiative aims to accelerate literacy and skill development, ensuring a well-educated workforce for the future.

Women’s Financial Inclusion

Women led financial initiatives are key to sustainable economic welfare, especially in countries with low per-capita income. To create accessible, impact-driven financial reach, the country has unveiled Fayda, a new digital ID system that enables women to obtain bank accounts, access social benefits and protection programs, and become an integral part of the economy.

Though robust macroeconomic policies and political stability are still much needed, this East African nation has the potential to become a net exporter of goods, commodities, and skilled talent, aligning itself with the demands of the global economy. That being said, Ethiopia still recovering from one of the deadliest civil wars (2000-2022) that took 600,000 lives; the shadow of another war breaking out with Eritrea looms large. How the nation will continue on its path to progress is a thing to watch.