Addis Ababa, October 15, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with development partners on artificial intelligence (AI) development, regional integration and regulatory frameworks, while calling for international support for its AI institutions.
The commitment was underscored by Finance State Minister Tigist Fisseha during a closed-door AI roundtable held on the sidelines of the ongoing IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
The discussion brought together ministers and senior representatives from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Gates Foundation to explore practical areas of collaboration that could help developing economies harness AI for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Tigist said Ethiopia had made digital transformation and AI integral to its development strategy, establishing the Ethiopia AI Institute in 2019 and the AI University in early 2026.
She emphasized the importance of Africa building capacity across the AI value chain, including the ability to adapt and deploy existing technologies and increasingly develop solutions tailored to the continent’s challenges, data and languages.
The State Minister also called on the World Bank and other development partners to support Ethiopia’s AI Institute and University, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in advancing the country’s AI ambitions and expanding Africa’s role in shaping AI solutions.