INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

Ethiopia is out in the stratosphere compared to the rest of the connected world which are easily connected. The issue of connectivity had also created a gap in human resources properly skilled with information technology to bring the country to the next step. According to researchictafrica.net , Ethiopia’s Information and communications technologies (ICT) sector remains underdeveloped when it is put side by side to all the nations in Africa. Mobile phone network penetration which is one of the easiest to implement is three time less than that of the African average. The most critical networks of all networks; the broadband Internet which connects the country to the entire world is at 2.7% Internet access ratio, with a penetration of 0.1% in 2012.

There are lots of needs in the information technology sector. Teaching, consultancy, and other similar engagements would fill the gap when experts in the field volunteer to share their knowledge. Lack of capable human resources in Ethiopia’s ICT sector is a major problem. There are lots of universities and colleges providing field of study in the ICT area, however, many of the students lack access to computers which are critical hardware needed for the training. There is no question that Ethiopia needs a highly skilled and experts in handling complex networks, assist in projects, consulting in policymaking and regulations.

There are lots of needs in the information technology sector. Teaching, consultancy, and other similar engagements would fill the gap when experts in the field volunteer to share their knowledge.

Woju Worabo, M.Sc.

Director, Information Technology

Bridgingethiopia.org can assist match up temporary resources either in forms of providing advanced IT training at facilities interested or be a set of eyes on existing implementations to improve current IT related projects. There is a huge gap in lack of skills in proper planning to execute each phases of critical system development life cycle (requirement gathering, analysis, design, coding, testing, deployment and maintenance).