![UAE and Ethiopian Governments Launch ‘5 Million Ethiopian Programmers’ Initiative UAE and Ethiopian Governments Launch ‘5 Million Ethiopian Programmers’ Initiative](https://i3.wp.com/www.emaratalyoum.com/polopoly_fs/1.1870532.1721765745!/image/image.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, witnessed the launch of the “5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative”, as part of initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to build capacities for the future of digital transformation and modernize government work, within the framework of bilateral cooperation in the fields of modernization and government development between the governments of the two countries, which was launched last August, less than a year after the signing of the partnership agreement, within the framework of the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, to Ethiopia.
The launch of the initiative, under the patronage and presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, represents a new milestone in the cooperation process, in addition to various initiatives covered by the axes of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Mohammed Abdullah Al-Gergawi, and the Minister of Cabinet Affairs of Ethiopia, Al-Mahstai Paulus, last August.
Abiy Ahmed stressed that the “5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative” aims to support young people and enable them to implement the ideas of the future on the ground, and builds on the unprecedented prosperity that Ethiopia is experiencing thanks to its promising youth capable of anticipating the future.
He said: “Forward-looking youth represent Ethiopia’s hope for a better future, and the Five Million Ethiopian Programmers initiative represents a great opportunity to build the capacity of youth,” calling for encouraging youth to enroll in the program to acquire skills and earn international certificates that qualify them and enable them to acquire future skills.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Ethiopia commended the partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates, in various fields, and expressed gratitude to the Emirates for its participation in launching the large-scale capacity building project, stressing that the five million programmers who will be trained by the initiative will play a leading role in developing solutions to challenges on the ground, and will represent a symbol of hope for the African continent in general.
Mohammed Al Gergawi stressed that the Emirati-Ethiopian cooperation relations, which saw the launch of the strategic partnership of knowledge between the two friendly countries last year, are witnessing continuous development in various fields, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, followed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Al Gergawi said that the knowledge partnership between the governments of the Emirates and Ethiopia represents a comprehensive development model, based on a forward-looking vision adopted by the leadership of the two friendly countries and led by common orientations aimed at strengthening cooperation, exchanging expertise, and sharing successful experiences, through a series of initiatives covering various areas of government modernization, noting that the partnership embodies the UAE’s approach in sharing innovative government work models with countries and governments around the world, to support development paths, improve government excellence and performance. and efficiency, accelerate innovation in business models and service solutions, and consolidate government flexibility and preparedness for the future, which has a positive impact on the lives and future of societies.
The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative aims to equip young people with the skills needed for the digital age and prepare them for the demands of the 21st century, by providing them with digital skills, to prepare them for the jobs of the future and instilling in them a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The initiative was launched at an event held at the Science Museum in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, with the participation of 700 officials, experts and specialists in government work, presented by Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Al-Mahastai Paulus, members of parliament, ministers and senior government officials.
A delegation from the United Arab Emirates participated in the launch of the initiative during an official visit to the Republic of Ethiopia, and included Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Knowledge Exchange and Competitiveness, Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Executive Vice President and Chairman of Dubai Future Foundation, Abdulaziz Al-Jaziri, and Director of the Government Knowledge Exchange Program at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Manal bin Salem.
For his part, Abdullah Lootah stressed that the launch of the “5 Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative” within the framework of the strategic partnership for government knowledge exchange between the Emirates and Ethiopia reflects the efforts of the two friendly countries to provide development opportunities for young people and empower them to act. equip them with the skills needed to bridge the digital divide, increase the opportunities of the digital economy and benefit from its promising prospects on the scale of the African continent and the world, in light of the rapid development of programming and artificial intelligence capabilities.
The launch activities of the “5 Million Ethiopian Coders” Initiative saw the organization of a dialogue session moderated by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs of Ethiopia, Al-Mahastai Paulus, during which the Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Fitsum Assefa, the Minister of Labor and Skills Development, Muferihat Kamel, and the Minister of Education, Berhanu Nega, the Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belet Mola, the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Mikuriya Haile, and the Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Future Foundation, Abdulaziz Al-Jaziri.
In its theoretical and educational aspects, the initiative covers 4 basic educational courses that support efforts to open horizons and opportunities for the digital economy, the data economy and artificial intelligence applications for young people and talents. It includes the basics of Android development, the basics of data science, the basics of programming and the basics of artificial intelligence.
In its design and strategic objectives, the “5 Million Ethiopian Coders” initiative emulates the “One Million Arab Coders” initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the aim of equipping Arab youth with programming skills, activating their energies, refining their talents, enhancing their competitiveness, stimulating their entrepreneurial culture and translating it into promising creative and economic opportunities that positively reflect development paths and contribute to the development of cutting-edge technological products and useful software worldwide.
Abiy Ahmed:
. We are grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their participation in launching the large-scale capacity building project in Ethiopia.
Muhammad Al-Gergawi:
. Bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Ethiopia has been growing continuously under the leadership of Mohammed bin Zayed and Mohammed bin Rashid.