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.
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]
The growth of Information Technology has been closely related to the introduction of computers into Ethiopia by foreign suppliers. IBM helped to introduced technology to Ethiopia in 1962 with the 1421/814 accounting machine. [3] In 1963, IBM introduced a semi-mechanical accounting machine at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), followed by the auto code 1440 model, commissioned by the Ethiopian Electric Light and Power Authority. The IBM 360/20 electronic data-processing system was introduced between 1965 and 1970, with a capacity of 8-16 KB. The transition from card to tape-disk system was made in 1970s. The first programming language was Report Program Generator, which was used in Ethiopia until 1986.
As suppliers increased competition, major technological changes attracted attention. [3] The NCR Corporation introduced cash registers, mechanical accounting machines and payroll technology. The first NCR model minicomputer was installed in 1976, with 64 KB of main memory and 9.6 MB of hard disk. The corporation also installed 850 minicomputers between 1977 and 1984. [3]
Robotics in Ethiopia is emerging, with a growing high tech ecosystem known as ‘Sheba Valley’. [4] In 2016 programmer Betelhem Dessie become the youngest entrepreneur in the country when he founded iCog, an AItech company responsible for developing Sophia robot. [5] The robot made a landmark visit to Ethiopia in July 2018, attracting many dignitaries to the Information and Communication Technology International Expo, in Addis Ababa. [6] She also met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. [7]
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]
In 2004, the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) was established to create an observatory in the Entoto Mountains in 2014. It was formally established by the cabinet of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn under regulation No. 916/2015. The institute provides various tasks relating to space science and aerospace technology. In December 2019, Ethiopia launched its first multi-spectral remote sensing satellite. [8] According to President Sahle-Work Zewde, the satellite "will provide all the necessary data on changes in climate and weather-related phenomena that would be utilized for the country’s key targets in agriculture, forestry as well as natural resources protection initiatives." By January 2020, satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing (MAIT) began with funding from European Investment Bank (EIB).
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]
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 herbs, spiritual healing, bone-setting and minor surgical procedures, that may vary between different ethnic groups.
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.
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]
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]
Technology is the application of conceptual knowledge for achieving practical goals, especially in a reproducible way. The word technology can also mean the products resulting from such efforts, including both tangible tools such as utensils or machines, and intangible ones such as software. Technology plays a critical role in science, engineering, and everyday life.
Science and technology in the United States has a long history, producing many important figures and developments in the field. The United States of America came into being around the Age of Enlightenment, an era in Western philosophy in which writers and thinkers, rejecting the perceived superstitions of the past, instead chose to emphasize the intellectual, scientific and cultural life, centered upon the 18th century, in which reason was advocated as the primary source for legitimacy and authority. Enlightenment philosophers envisioned a "republic of science," where ideas would be exchanged freely and useful knowledge would improve the lot of all citizens.
A management information system (MIS) is an information system used for decision-making, and for the coordination, control, analysis, and visualization of information in an organization. The study of the management information systems involves people, processes and technology in an organizational context.
Technology transfer (TT), also called transfer of technology (TOT), is the process of transferring (disseminating) technology from the person or organization that owns or holds it to another person or organization, in an attempt to transform inventions and scientific outcomes into new products and services that benefit society. Technology transfer is closely related to knowledge transfer.
Health informatics is the study and implementation of computer structures and algorithms to improve communication, understanding, and management of medical information. It can be view as branch of engineering and applied science.
Science and technology in Israel is one of the country's most developed sectors. Israel spent 4.3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on civil research and development in 2015, the highest ratio in the world. In 2019, Israel was ranked the world's fifth most innovative country by the Bloomberg Innovation Index. It ranks thirteenth in the world for scientific output as measured by the number of scientific publications per million citizens. In 2014, Israel's share of scientific articles published worldwide (0.9%) was nine times higher than its share of the global population (0.1%).
Addis Ababa University (AAU) is a national university located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is the oldest university in Ethiopia. AAU has thirteen campuses. Twelve of these are situated in Addis Ababa, and one is located in Bishoftu, about 45 kilometres (28 mi) away. AAU has several associated research institutions including the Institute of Ethiopian Studies. The Ministry of Education admits qualified students to AAU based on their score on the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination (EUEE).
The China Geological Survey (CGS) (Chinese: 中国地质调查局) is a government-owned, not-for-profit, Chinese organization researching China's mineral resources. It is a public institution managed by the State Council's ministries and commissions responsible for geological and mineral exploration under the State Council of the People's Republic of China. According to the national land and resources survey plan, it is now managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. It is the largest Geoscience agency in China since being reinstated in 1999, and the headquarter is in Beijing, the capital of China.
Emerging technologies are technologies whose development, practical applications, or both are still largely unrealized. These technologies are generally new but also include older technologies finding new applications. Emerging technologies are often perceived as capable of changing the status quo.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to technology:
Science and technology in Portugal is mainly conducted within a network of research and development (R&D) units belonging to public universities and state-managed autonomous research institutions. There are also non-state-run research institutions and some private R&D projects developed by companies.
Science and technology in Italy has a long presence, from the Roman era and the Renaissance. Through the centuries, Italy has advanced the scientific community which produced many significant inventions and discoveries in biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, and the other sciences. In 2019, Italy was the 6th world producer of scientific articles publishing more than 155,000 documents. From 1996 to 2000, it published a total of 2 million scientific articles. Italy was ranked 28th in the Global Innovation Index in 2022.
Scientific research in Sri Lanka is carried out by several research institutions, however, historically Sri Lanka has been behind its regional peers in research funding. Sri Lanka was ranked 95th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021.
The Science and Technology Information Center (STIC) is an Ethiopian organisation which provides information to support scientific and technological (S&T) activities in the country. STIC has published information on the financing of research and development and on the nature and progress of innovative projects, and in 2014 was planning to introduce bibliometric monitoring of publications in S&T. The center has also provided information and communications technology facilities including a digital library, a patent information system, an automated personnel management system, and a S&T-related database.
The Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT) is an Ethiopian government department responsible for science and technological development in Ethiopia as well as a governing body of communications. It was established as a commission in December 1975 by directive No.62/1975. The current minister is Belete Molla since 2021.
Science and Technology in Chile is led by the National Commission of Scientific and Technological Investigation.
The Council of Ministers of Abiy Ahmed is the cabinet of the government of Ethiopia during the premiership of Abiy Ahmed since early 2018.
Shumete Gizaw is an Ethiopian politician, researcher and educator who was served as the Director General of the Information Network Security Agency from 2020 to 2022. Previously, he has been the former Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the former State Minister of Science and Technology.
Robotics is a recent developing technology in Ethiopia and many high tech enterprises are emerging in Ethiopia, implementing artificial intelligence to erase manufacturing jobs.
The Ethiopia Museum of Art and Science Science is a 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft) lying science museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed along with other high-ranking officials on 4 October 2022. Part of Chinese aided Addis Ababa Riverside Development Project Phase II, the museum contains exhibition hall dedicated to scientific and developmental research. The museum lies on 6.78 hectares with 9-metre (30 ft) circular shape dubbed "ring of wisdom" to denote "human ability and skillfulness to create objects". In addition, the second room is dedicated to a three-dimensional theatre movie called Dome Theatre. The museum also contains several building complexes and interactive display screens, cybersecurity, finance, geographical information system (GIS), service industries, data analysis, manufacturing, and robotics.
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