Addis Ababa’s Innovation and Technology Bureau has awarded certificates to more than 217,000 young Ethiopians who have completed the Ethiopian Coders training programme, a flagship initiative aimed at equipping youth with foundational digital skills.

Awale Mohammed, head of the bureau, told Fana Digital that the city is prioritising the development of technology-driven services to provide faster, more efficient solutions for residents while fostering a digitally skilled workforce.

Launched with support from the United Arab Emirates, the programme offers free online courses in programming fundamentals, data science, and Android Kotlin development through the national platform in partnership with Udacity. The initiative is designed to be inclusive, targeting schools, vocational centres, and rural areas, with at least fifty percent of participants being young women.

Currently, 423,517 young people are actively engaged in the programme, with 217,611 having completed their training and received certificates. Beyond formal training, the initiative has reached over one million youths through activities conducted across government offices, bureaus, and eleven sub-cities, promoting digital literacy and practical skills.