Compiled from reports by Fana Media Corporation and Birr Metrics. See the original articles linked below.
Ethiopia wants to bring private capital into AI and digital skills training, according to remarks by National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Eyob Tekalign reported on October 19 by Fana Media Corporation and Birr Metrics. Both outlets said he spoke at the Human Capital Ministerial Conclave on Private Capital for Skills, which is convened by the World Bank Group's Human Capital Project. They reported that Ethiopia has taken part in the conclave since it was established.
Initiatives named
Fana Media Corporation reported that Eyob presented the country's approach to AI, digital skills and employment. Birr Metrics said the government is expanding technology-based training and introducing AI-supported learning in schools and vocational institutions. Both outlets listed the same programmes he cited: the National AI Policy, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Digital Ethiopia 2030, the Five Million Coders initiative and Medemer AI University.
According to both reports, secondary schools are piloting two AI-supported tools, an AI Coach and an AI Tutor. They also said Ethiopia is working with the World Bank on an AI-enabled, gender-responsive skills-for-jobs platform for technical and vocational education and training institutions. Birr Metrics wrote that the platform is meant to connect training with jobs, and Fana Media Corporation said it is intended to serve young people from refugee and host communities.
Shared responsibility and conditions
Birr Metrics reported that Eyob said government institutions, employers and training providers should share responsibility for developing skills. Fana Media Corporation described the same position, saying he stressed that governments, employers and training institutions all have a part.
On measuring results, both outlets reported that he argued success should be judged by the skills learners gain and by improvements in their job prospects, not by enrolment or training numbers alone.
On private finance, Fana Media Corporation reported that mobilising it for skills development should follow clear public priorities, quality standards and equitable access, so that investment leads to real opportunities for learners. Birr Metrics added that, in his account, the government would keep responsibility for setting training priorities and ensuring access.
Details not given
Birr Metrics did not report the amount of private financing Ethiopia is seeking, any investment commitments, or a timetable for the proposed vocational platform. Fana Media Corporation likewise gave no budget figures or specific targets for the initiatives.
Sources
- Ethiopia Puts AI, Digital Skills at Center of Jobs and Private Investment Agenda (Fana Media Corporation, 2026-10-19)
- Ethiopia Seeks Private Capital to Finance AI and Digital Skills Training (Birr Metrics, 2026-10-19)
This article was compiled with AI assistance from the reports listed above and reviewed by GMA before publishing.