17 February 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – At the recent 37th African Union Summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.) delivered a speech emphasizing Africa’s rich history, its challenges, and the importance of education for overcoming them. Here are the key points:
Dr. Abiy Ahmed acknowledged Africa’s significant contributions to global civilization in various fields like agriculture, medicine, architecture, education, and science & technology. This sets the stage for a message of empowerment and self-belief.
The Prime Minister recognized the historical reality of colonialism as a major factor hindering Africa’s progress. However, he countered this by highlighting Ethiopia’s decisive victory at Adwa, demonstrating the continent’s potential for overcoming challenges.
He urged African nations to move away from dependence on aid and leverage their vast natural resources and youthful population for sustainable development. This resonates with the continent’s growing desire for self-sufficiency.
The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of education in achieving secure and sustainable development. He highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts in the past five years, including building over 30,000 schools, to improve access and quality.
Recognizing Africa’s progress in the digital economy, Dr. Abiy Ahmed encouraged young Africans to embrace technology, develop their creativity, and hone problem-solving skills. He mentioned the potential of AI in providing quality education regardless of cultural or linguistic barriers.
The Prime Minister addressed the critical issue of limited financing and investment in Africa’s education sector. He called for reforming the practices of international financial institutions to eliminate discriminatory practices hindering progress
