Ethiopia Hosts First Global Research and Innovation Conference in Addis Ababa

June 15, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia has hosted its first International Research Conference and Technology Competition (IRCTC 2026), bringing together researchers, innovators and stakeholders from around the world in Addis Ababa for a three-day forum focused on research, innovation and industrial problem-solving.

The conference, held at the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Technical and Vocational Training Institute (FTVTI), marked a milestone for the country as it steps into hosting large-scale international research and technology events aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia, industry and policy actors.

Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Biruk Kedir (PhD), Director General of FTVTI, said the inaugural conference had been successfully completed, highlighting progress made in research exchange, innovation and the formation of international partnerships.

He said the discussions also revealed institutional readiness to host global events, while pointing to the need for systems that are aligned with fast-evolving technological demands and stronger collaboration across sectors.

Biruk added that next year’s edition of the conference will seek to expand global participation, improve research outcomes and enhance hybrid engagement formats to widen access and impact.

Habtamu Mulugeta (PhD), Deputy Director of FTVTI, said the event successfully brought together global stakeholders to address industrial challenges, with a strong focus on innovation, applied research and partnership building.

He noted that cross-sector collaboration and scalable solutions remain essential to ensuring that research outputs are translated into practical applications that support industrial development.

The conference featured research presentations, innovation showcases and discussions aimed at strengthening links between global research communities and Ethiopia’s growing technology ecosystem.