Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized Ethiopia's progress in digitalization and the importance of utilizing Africa's young talent for regional development at the 24th COMESA summit, according to Press Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, Billene Seyoum.

Today, the 24th Summit of the COMESA Authority of Heads of State and Government took place in Nairobi, attended by leaders from COMESA member countries, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.

The summit's theme was "Leveraging Digitization to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth."

Prime Minister Abiy underscored in his address at the summit that digitalization is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reform agenda, Billene said.

PM Abiy showcased the country's advancements in building robust digital infrastructure and fostering a large talent pool through initiatives like the Coders Initiative.

These efforts reflect Ethiopia’s commitment to creating a strong digital foundation to drive growth and transformation, she noted.

Since taking office in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy has been a steadfast advocate for regional integration, digitalization across the continent.

Billene highlighted Ethiopia’s recent rollout of the national ID system and automation of government services as key examples of digital progress.

She said that programs like the Coders Initiative equip youth with essential skills for a rapidly digitizing world.

The prime minister stressed that national digitalization efforts must align with broader regional integration goals to maximize impact.

She said that the premier also emphasized the potential of Africa’s young population as a valuable resource for development.

According to her, the premier urged African nations to leverage the continent’s abundant youth talent and resources.