Ethiopia pushes indigenous knowledge-driven startups to strengthen digital economy

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology has announced plans to roll out new programmes aimed at increasing the number of globally competitive startups and strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem.

The initiative is designed to elevate the role of startup entrepreneurs in building Ethiopia’s digital economy while creating a more conducive environment for creativity and innovation.

Speaking on the development, Minister of Innovation and Technology Baisa Beda emphasized the importance of leveraging indigenous knowledge as a foundation for startup growth. He noted that accelerating Ethiopia’s economic transformation requires not only increasing the number of startups but also equipping them with the necessary support, training, and modern technological capabilities.

According to the Minister, integrating local knowledge systems with contemporary innovation will enable entrepreneurs to develop solutions tailored to domestic challenges, strengthening the country’s capacity to build a sustainable and competitive digital economy.

The Ministry indicated that ongoing efforts to develop Ethiopia’s startup ecosystem are already yielding positive results, with increased participation and growing interest from young innovators. It added that continued investment in capacity-building initiatives, including training on regulatory frameworks and technical skills, will remain a priority.

Officials further called on stakeholders across the public and private sectors to support the growth of the startup ecosystem, noting that a well-developed innovation landscape will play a critical role in driving economic expansion and long-term national development.