The speech highlighted the continent’s demographic advantages, noting that by 2035 more young people will join the global workforce in Africa than in the rest of the world combined.
At the 39th African Union Summit, the Ethiopian leadership laid out a vision for economic growth, technological progress and sustainable development for the continent. Ethiopia highlighted Africa’s potential, noting that many African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, with growth rates projected to match or exceed those of Asia. Ethiopia itself is projected to grow at a rate of 10.2% by the end of 2026, reflecting its ambition to transition from a low-income economy to a globally competitive economy built on the pillars of productivity, industrialization, innovation and quality job creation.
The speech highlighted the continent’s demographic advantages, noting that by 2035 more young people will join the global workforce in Africa than in the rest of the world combined. To harness this potential, Ethiopia is investing heavily in maternal and child health, early childhood education, and school feeding programs to ensure that every child arrives at school nourished and ready to learn.
Urban and rural transformation initiatives are being implemented with a focus on sustainability and people-centred development. In Addis Ababa, a riverside restoration project transformed a degraded waterway into a clean and vibrant public space, reducing flood risk and improving community life. Rural modernization connects communities and markets, and links development and climate management. A notable achievement is Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which has planted more than 48 billion trees to restore ecosystems and create a lasting environmental legacy.
Innovation remains a central pillar. Under the Digital Ethiopia 2030 plan, Ethiopia is building a people-centric digital public infrastructure, integrating the national digital identity system with payments and data exchange to facilitate secure and seamless access to services. The country is also investing in Africa’s first artificial intelligence research institute and plans to establish an AI university based on Ethiopian philosophy that combines human values with machine intelligence and applied impact. Connectivity will be further enhanced through strategic investments in aviation and telecommunications, including the construction of Africa’s largest airport and the expansion of Ethio Telecom across the continent.
Ethiopia also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation for economic stability, including ensuring reliable access to the seas, which is essential for long-term prosperity in the Horn of Africa. The speech concluded with a call for African unity, functional sovereignty and active leadership, stressing the need for Africa to own its own story, manage its resources responsibly and leverage technology and innovation to shape its future. He expressed his gratitude to the outgoing AU President, President Joe Lorenzo, and wished the new president the best of luck.
