Addis Ababa: Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh underlined that we must ensure Africa that does not only participate in the global digital economy but leads in innovation.
The Deputy Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech at the 9th Session of the Statistical Commission for Africa, which the gathering brings together experts from across Africa, united by a common goal-unlocking the potential of African innovation in statistical development.
In his remarks, Temesgen emphasized the critical importance of adopting new technologies to enhance planning and decision-making within the public sector.
For the Deputy PM, technology is advancing faster than ever in today’s world.
For instance, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and digital innovations are transforming every field, including statistics, he indicated.
Particularly, these innovations offer Africa an opportunity to accelerate progress towards the Africa we want, as laid out in Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals-leaving no one be
hind.
‘Traditional methods are no longer enough. We must embrace new technologies to improve planning and decision-making across the public sector. This isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about leading the way,’ he noted.
To this effect, Temesgen stated that Ethiopia is fully committed to this transformation, adding that his country is adopting innovative approaches, from community-based data collection to advanced digital methods, to ensure our statistics are relevant, timely, and actionable
The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for 2020-2030 underscores the urgency of this task, he indicated.
‘The world is changing, and Africa must be ready. We must ensure that Africa not only participates in the global digital economy but leads in innovation. We must be producers, not just consumers.’
According to him, Africa’s future depends on our ability to innovate and emphasized the importance of building a statistical ecosystem that supports development, fosters inclusion, and helps the continent ac
hieve its goals.
Noting that Ethiopia is already seeing the benefits of this approach, the Deputy Prime Minister revealed that we’re using geospatial data to enhance our decision-making.
He added that geographic Information Systems (GIS) help us pinpoint where development is happening-and where it’s not. This is crucial for ensuring that no one is left behind.
Acknowledging the contribution of universities that they are playing a vital role, Temesgen pointed out that Addis Ababa University, for example, is collaborating on projects that reflect our unique socio-economic landscape.
‘By involving students in these initiatives, we’re training the next generation of statisticians and data scientists,’ he noted.
He further stated that Ethiopia is also embracing the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
‘These technologies allow us to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. Imagine being able to predict economic trends or health outcomes in real-time. This is the future we ar
e building for Africa.’
Ethiopia’s 10-Year Development Plan outlines a clear path for sustainable growth, supported by robust data systems, he pointed out. Temesgen further stated the nation is conducting national surveys, such as the agricultural census and the Demographic and Health Survey, to gather critical data for planning and monitoring.
“We are also in the process of modernizing our statistical services. Ethiopia is moving towards a fully digital Population and Housing Census. We are using Big Data and Artificial Intelligence to improve the quality and accuracy of our statistics.”
The theme of this session aligns with the outcomes of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly of the Future held in September, where global leaders committed to harnessing emerging technologies for the common good, it was learned.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency