Ethiopia is set to establish what is expected to be the world’s second university dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence, with operations scheduled to begin within the next year, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced.

Addressing the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy said work is already underway to set up the specialized institution, which he described as a landmark investment in the country’s future.

He likened the initiative to the founding of Ethiopian Airlines, which earlier generations built into a symbol of national pride and global excellence.“Just as our forefathers built Ethiopian Airlines and made it a source of national pride, this university will usher in a better future for our children and for generations to come,” the prime minister told lawmakers.

He emphasized the importance of preparing young people for the competition of tomorrow. “From this perspective, Ethiopia has been working with technology as one of its five pillars of development, with a focus on serving future generations. Artificial intelligence is particularly useful in this regard,” he said.

The planned AI university is part of Ethiopia’s broader push to position itself as a regional hub for science, technology and innovation. Officials say the institution will focus on advanced research, skills development and practical applications of artificial intelligence across key sectors such as agriculture, health, manufacturing and public services.

Ethiopia has in recent years increased investment in digital transformation, including expanding ICT infrastructure, promoting tech startups and integrating emerging technologies into national development strategies. The AI-focused university is expected to play a central role in building a skilled workforce capable of driving economic growth in a rapidly evolving global digital economy.

If completed as planned, the institution would place Ethiopia among a small group of countries pioneering dedicated higher education in artificial intelligence, reinforcing the government’s ambition to prepare the next generation for technology-driven development while strengthening national competitiveness.