A recent study conducted in elementary schools across Ethiopia has revealed a concerning level of literacy skills among students. The study, which assessed 5,840 students from 292 schools in 11 languages, found that 48% of students struggled to distinguish letters, words, and sounds properly. This issue was particularly pronounced in tasks such as first sound variation and letter recognition.

The study highlighted significant weaknesses in specific areas, including name spelling and sound differences. Performance varied between urban and rural children, with urban students generally performing better in all subtasks except language expression. Additionally, differences were observed between language groups, with children from the Afar Oral and Benishangul language groups performing the lowest, while Amharic-speaking children recorded the highest performance.

Despite these challenges, the study noted an improvement in early reading and writing skills compared to previous years. This suggests that ongoing efforts to enhance early childhood education are yielding positive results.

In the Oromia region, there has been a shortage of qualified teachers, leading to concerns about literacy skills among educators themselves. A recent conference highlighted the need for teachers to receive literacy skills training to address this issue. The study also found that many teachers rely on repetitive teaching strategies and require additional training in curriculum use, classroom management, and early reading and writing skills instruction.

The study identified several factors that negatively impact children’s learning outcomes, including low parental involvement, lack of school resources (especially textbooks), inadequate school feeding programs, and water and sanitation issues. Conversely, factors that enhance learning outcomes include teacher motivation, availability of curriculum and teacher guidance, use of lesson plans, participation in professional development, children’s social and emotional competence, and family education standards and living conditions.

To address these challenges, the study recommends providing special support to rural children and underprivileged areas, offering comprehensive professional development training to teachers, improving school resources, strengthening school feeding programs, and increasing community engagement. Investing in early childhood education is critical for preparing children for elementary education and contributing to long-term workforce development.

Ethiopia Reads, a 22-year-old organization, has been instrumental in promoting literacy through its reading services, reaching over 1.5 million students and children. It has worked with the government and other partners to establish libraries in more than 70 primary schools across the country. Ethiopia Reads recently held a conference with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to discuss children’s reading development and address teacher shortages.

The findings of this study underscore the need for collaborative efforts to improve literacy skills in Ethiopian primary schools. While progress has been made, significant disparities remain, particularly between urban and rural areas. By focusing on specific areas of improvement and addressing these disparities, Ethiopia can enhance its education system and better prepare its future workforce.

Equipping its young population with foundational literacy skills will be crucial for achieving its economic goals. The government and organizations like Ethiopia Reads must work together to address the challenges in reading and writing skills, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative technology with the potential to address critical challenges faced by low-income countries. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Technology and Innovation Report 2025, AI can revolutionize key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing. However, the report also highlights significant barriers that these nations must overcome to fully harness the benefits of AI.

AI is already demonstrating its ability to drive development in low-income countries by improving efficiency and addressing resource constraints in critical sectors. In agriculture, AI tools are being used for precision irrigation, pest and disease control, and yield prediction. These innovations not only reduce waste but also enhance food security in areas prone to climate shocks and resource scarcity.

In healthcare, AI is filling gaps by enabling faster and more accurate diagnostics, extending healthcare coverage to remote areas, and aiding in pandemic management. AI-driven tools can analyze medical data to predict outbreaks or detect diseases early, potentially saving countless lives.

AI is also making waves in manufacturing by introducing automation, predictive maintenance, and smart factory systems. These technologies can help industries in low-income countries improve productivity while reducing costs, making them more competitive globally.

Despite its promise, the adoption of AI in low-income countries faces several challenges. Many of these nations lack the robust digital infrastructure—such as high-speed internet and data centers—required to support AI technologies. The absence of structured and accessible data limits the development of localized AI solutions tailored to specific needs. Additionally, a shortage of trained professionals in AI-related fields constrains innovation and implementation efforts.

These barriers contribute to what experts call the “AI divide,” where wealthier nations reap the benefits of advanced technologies while poorer countries risk falling further behind.

To overcome these challenges, the UNCTAD report outlines several strategies. Governments and international organizations must prioritize investments in digital infrastructure such as broadband networks, cloud computing facilities, and affordable access to technology. Collaboration between governments, private companies, and global institutions can facilitate knowledge sharing and resource pooling. For example, partnerships with tech giants could provide access to cutting-edge tools at reduced costs.

Training programs focused on equipping workers with AI-related skills are essential for creating a workforce capable of driving innovation and adapting to technological changes. Encouraging open-source development and data sharing can help democratize access to AI technologies, enabling local innovators to develop solutions tailored to their communities’ needs.

The report emphasizes that addressing the “AI divide” requires global cooperation. Wealthier nations and multinational organizations have a responsibility to support low-income countries through capacity-building initiatives, technology transfers, and financial aid for infrastructure development.

One promising avenue is the creation of shared digital public infrastructure that can be accessed by multiple nations. Additionally, fostering international research collaborations can help bridge knowledge gaps while promoting inclusive innovation.

AI holds immense promise for transforming economies and improving livelihoods in low-income countries—but only if its adoption is guided by inclusive policies and global solidarity. By addressing infrastructure deficits, closing skill gaps, and fostering international cooperation, these nations can unlock the full potential of AI as a driver of sustainable development.

In a significant move to enhance the role of civil society in governance, a new cooperation framework has been launched between the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC). This framework aims to increase civil society involvement in government policies and protect public interests, addressing long-standing challenges faced by civil society organizations in Ethiopia.

Civil society organizations in Ethiopia have faced numerous hurdles over the years, including restrictive legal and policy frameworks that have limited their activities, reduced resources, and diminished societal acceptance. Many organizations have struggled to survive under these conditions. However, with the introduction of this new framework, there is hope for resolving these issues and enhancing civil society’s contribution to national development.

Ahmed Hussen, President of ECSOC, highlighted the significance of this collaboration. “Civil Society Organizations faced significant challenges due to the previous restrictive law prior to the enactment of proclamation 1113/2019. We hope this new framework will boost the efforts in solving these problems together and increase our contribution to national development,” he said.

Fassikaw Molla, Deputy Director General of ACSO, emphasized the government’s recognition of civil society’s role and its commitment to creating a conducive environment for these organizations. “This cooperation framework will play a crucial role in strengthening trust between the government and civil society and building mutual understanding,” he noted.

The framework seeks to eliminate the mistrust that has developed over the years and foster a new spirit of cooperation between the government and civil society. It focuses on addressing legal and policy barriers, resource scarcity, and capacity constraints within the civil society sector.

The framework emphasizes the importance of increasing information exchange between the government and civil society and strengthening civil society’s participation in policy discussions. By doing so, it aims to create a more inclusive and transparent governance process.

Identifying and addressing problems facing the civil society sector is central to this initiative. The framework outlines strategies to enhance civil society’s capacity and ensure that their voices are heard in policy-making processes.

While this framework represents an important step forward, its successful implementation will require strong commitment and joint efforts from both the government and civil society. It is crucial that both parties work together to address the challenges facing the civil society sector and ensure that this collaboration leads to meaningful contributions to national development.

The launch of this cooperation framework marks a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen civil society and enhance governance. By fostering a more collaborative environment between the government and civil society, Ethiopia can leverage the potential of its civil society organizations to drive positive change and support sustainable development. As the country moves forward, the success of this initiative will depend on sustained commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders involved.

In a recent forum organized by Aqua for All in collaboration with the Hilton Foundation, experts emphasized the need for significant policy changes to address Ethiopia’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) crisis. The WASH sector, often overlooked, is described as a “silent killer” that should be prioritized in the national development agenda.

Ethiopia faces severe challenges in the WASH sector, including severe water shortages, inadequate sanitation, and the negative impacts of climate change. Despite progress in recent years, 43% of the population lacks access to improved water sources, and 28% practice open defecation, leading to significant health risks.

Experts highlighted the underfunding of the WASH sector and the need for immediate government intervention. Salfiso Kitabo, Innovative WASH Finance Advisor at FINISH MONDIAL, emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach involving government, financial institutions, and the private sector to address the funding shortage.

Salfiso suggested that the National Bank of Ethiopia should mandate commercial banks to allocate a portion of their loans to WASH initiatives, similar to agricultural loans. “If the government prioritizes agricultural fertilizer, why not give it to WASH?” he asked, noting that water and sanitation shortages have more severe consequences than fertilizer shortages.

Aarno Keijzer, Impact Finance Lead for Aqua for All, underscored the urgent need to address water scarcity and sanitation problems, especially in rural areas. “Climate change, floods, droughts are affecting water supplies. In addition, there is a lack of safe sanitation in rural areas,” he said.

Josien Sluijs, Managing Director of the Aqua for All Foundation, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing private capital in partnership with banks and small financial institutions. Government budgets alone cannot meet the sector’s needs, he noted.

The forum emphasized the importance of co-developing programs with financial institutions. Successful partnerships require the collaboration of various stakeholders, including regulators and technology companies. Institutions are called upon to prioritize the strategic status of WASH and build capacity to sustain portfolio growth over time.

Aqua for All has announced the WASH Finance Program, designed to raise private capital for the sector in partnership with the Hilton Foundation. The program aims to work with local banks and small financial institutions to create lending products for WASH-related products and services.

Experts stress that addressing the WASH crisis should not be limited to the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Water but should be a priority across all ministries and financial institutions in the country. By adopting a collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach, Ethiopia can effectively combat its WASH challenges and ensure a healthier future for its population.