Science and technology in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has a number of government and other institutions that are responsible for supporting scientific and technological innovation, including the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Ethiopia), the Science and Technology Information Center and the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute.
Overview
Like many developing countries, Ethiopia has had restricted resources to allocate to science and technology, but it has been developing policy ambitions in this area for some time. In 1975, the Government of Ethiopia established the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission (ESTC). In 1993, the Transitional Government announced a National Science and Technology Policy intended to build national activities in science and technology, and to coordinate related activities and to enhance their contribution to national economic development.[1] Ethiopia was ranked 125th in the Global Innovation Index in 2023.[2]
Information technology
The growth of
As suppliers increased competition, major technological changes attracted attention.
Robotics
Ethiopian Telecommunication Authority
The Ethiopian Telecommunication Authority (ETA) was established in January 1953, to provide national and international telecommunication services. The ETA is led by a chief executive under the direction of board of directors, chaired by the Minister of Transport and Communication. It is state-owned and has administrative and financial autonomy.[3] The service provided telephony, telegraphy and telex services. In 1977, it was transferred to the Ministry of Information and Guidance.[3]
Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute
In 2004, the
Natural resources
Ethiopia has significant natural resources that could make an important contribution to future developments in science and technology. For example, geothermal energy could soon be an important source of electricity nationally,[9][10] complementing the hydropower potential of the country.[11] Ethiopia also has important resources in terms of minerals and metals.[12][13]
Medicine
Ethiopia has been known for the use of traditional medicine for millennia.[14][15] Use of modern medicines began in the 1890s under Emperor Menelik II with medical envoys consisting mainly of Italian and Russian citizens, who mainly assisted foreign missionaries and urban elites at that time.[15] Medical provision was further expanded by Emperor Haile Selassie in the 1930s and the Ministry of Public Health was established in 1948. Studies have shown that Ethiopian health facilities are faced with antibiotic overprescribing, short consultation and dispensing times, poor labelling of medicines and poor availability of key drugs.[16]
Despite Western medicine becoming more widespread, many Ethiopians still rely on traditional medicine, especially in rural areas. Ethiopia's use of traditional medicaments is highly intricate and includes the use of
Education
Ethiopia has greatly increased funding for the education sector over the past two decades. In 2016-17, education accounted for 27 percent of government expenditure, higher than the commitment to internationally agreed target of 20 percent.[17] Pre-primary school enrolment has expanded from less than 300,000 pupils in 2008-09 (4%), to over 3.5 million (45%) in 2019-20. Primary school enrolment rose from 3 million learners in the early 1990s to over 20 million in 2019-20 (Ministry of Education, 2020). However, despite this progress, learning levels have remained low and many children still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills after they complete their primary education.[18] Ethiopia has 59 universities to provide higher education.
Science and Technology Information Center
The Science and Technology Information Center provides information on scientific and technological activity throughout the country. Its facilities include a digital library, patent information system, automated personnel management and databases.[19] The institution is designated as the highest body in agency for initiating, strengthening and co-ordinating various facilities and services concerning the collection, organization and dissemination of scientific and technological information.[19]
Science museum
On 4 October 2022, an Ethiopia Museum of Art and Science was opened in Addis Ababa. The science museum sits on 7 hectares of land and contains scientific and technological innovations and exhibitions with various halls, and cafeteria.[20][21][22]
List of scientists
References
- ^ "ETHIOPIAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION" (PDF). 17 June 2022.
- ^ WIPO. "Global Innovation Index 2023, 15th Edition". www.wipo.int. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
- ^ a b c d e "2: Information technology in Ethiopia". archive.unu.edu. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
- ^ "Sheba Valley: The Making of Ethiopia's Tech Sector". July 16, 2017.
- ^ Lewton, Alice McCool,Thomas (2018-10-11). "Meet the 19-year-old tech genius coding at Ethiopia's first AI lab". CNN. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "AI Robot Sophia Wows at Ethiopia ICT Expo".
- ^ "The Ethiopian Supergirl, who made Wonders In Robotics AI – Addis Herald". Retrieved 2022-09-17.
- ^ "The East African".
- ^ "Ethiopia Taps Into Geothermal Riches to Diversify Its Grid". November 4, 2022 – via www.bloomberg.com.
- – via CrossRef.
- ^ Endeshaw, Dawit (February 21, 2022). "Ethiopia turns on the turbines at giant Nile hydropower plant" – via www.reuters.com.
- ^ "Ethiopia aims to triple precious metals extraction by 2025". Supply Management.
- ^ Sandell-Hay, Colin (February 24, 2023). "Ethiopia Confident It has a Golden Future".
- ^ Pankhurst, 1990
- ^ a b "Ethiopian Traditional Medications and their Interactions with Conventional Drugs". EthnoMed. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
- PMID 34980999.
- ^ "Trends in Mathematics Learning in Ethiopia: 2012-2019". RISE Programme. September 16, 2022.
- ^ https://riseprogramme.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/Trends_Mathematics_Ethiopia.pdf
- ^ a b M.N., Seetharaman (1988). Planning and establishment of national scientific and technological information and documentation center. Paris: UNESCO.
- ^ Account (2022-10-05). "Ethiopia's Science and Art Museum inaugurated". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ "Ethiopia inaugurates science museum, AI conference opens – New Business Ethiopia". Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ Abera, Birhanu (2022-10-04). "PM Abiy Inaugurates Ethiopia's State-Of-The-Art Science Museum". Retrieved 2022-10-05.