Ethiopian Coders Initiative Outcome of Close Strategic Cooperation, Says UAE Deputy Minister Lootah

Addis Ababa July 24/2024 (ENA)  The 5 Million Ethiopian Coders initiative is one of the outcomes of the close strategic cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, UAE Cabinet Affair Competitiveness and Exchange of Experience Deputy Minister Lootah said.

In his opening speech at the launching of the initiative, Abdullah Nasser Lootah stated that the 31 years old diplomatic relation between the UAE and Ethiopia has witnessed rapid growth and development.

"We are meeting today for a new process of cooperation in the 5 Million Ethiopian Coders  initiative, which is one of the outcomes of close strategic cooperation in knowledge exchange between the two countries."

He revealed that the strategic cooperation was signed between the two countries last year in August in the presence of the leaders of the countries.

According to him, the initiative revolved around 6 basic axes of cooperation in digital transformation, programming, government services, civil services, workforce and leadership, and capacity building.

The United Arab Emirates aspires to establish more joint cooperations, including other priority areas, and register achievements for both our leadership and peoples, he added.

''In the words of His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, ' The race for excellence knows no end line.'"

This guiding principle inspires us to continually strive towards progress and excellence and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age, Lootah elaborated.

He pointed out that today the two countries will begin a new phase of ambition and achievement. "Let us (therefore) draw inspiration from the words of His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed in his famous saying, 'Our future is in the hands of our youth.'''

Lootah added that the initiative of five million Ethiopian programmers, under the slogan “Unlocking Talent for a New Tomorrow,” is not just a slogan that adorns the initiative, but rather a reality in which we believe with the deepest faith.

The deputy minister further said that the initiative of 5 Million Ethiopian Coders is a bold and forward-looking step towards preparing young people in Ethiopia for the requirements of the twenty-first century by providing them with basic digital skills.

Providing young people with knowledge is not only to prepare them for the jobs of the future, but also instill in them a culture of innovation and business leadership.

The initiative has 4 different educational tracks: Android development, basics of data science, programming, and basics of artificial intelligence, it was stated.

Lootah underscored that the joint efforts between the two countries reflect the strategic visions of the two leaderships, which depend on the shared values ​​and aspirations between the two brotherly countries.