Ethiopia seeks AI growth through Russian partnerships

Ethiopia is building its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, but lacks enough trained professionals and modern infrastructure. To help, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asked Russian universities and research groups to work with the new Medemer AI University in Addis Ababa during the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow in late October.

Ethiopia's AI workforce and skills lag behind

A 2026 report by UNESCO found that only 11.2% of Ethiopian graduates are in science and technology fields, and just 2.9% have ICT training. Ethiopia ranks 101st globally in data science skills, and only 14% of local tech startups use AI in their work.

Ethiopia has started building AI institutions

The country has created the National Institute of Artificial Intelligence, launched in 2020, and the AI UniPod, a research center opened in February 2026 with Addis Ababa University and the UNDP. The Medemer University aims to support these efforts by offering focused AI education and research.

Ethiopia and Russia have discussed AI cooperation

Collaboration between Ethiopia and Russia began at least in August 2024, when Russian experts visited the Ethiopian Institute of AI. In 2025, Addis Ababa University hosted a conference on trusted AI with Russian and Ethiopian institutions. Talks continued in 2026 about research, training, and technology sharing, though no specific Russian partner or detailed plans have been announced yet.