Abiy Ahmed Ali was born on 15 August 1976 in the town of Beshasha, Oromia Region (Ethiopia). He studied computer science, leadership and economics and also holds a Master’s degree in Transformational Leadership and Business Administration, as well as a PhD from the Institute for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University.
He was elected to the Ethiopian Parliament in 2010 and was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on 2 April 2018, according to the official
website of the Prime Minister’s Office. Upon taking office, he promoted regional integration.
Furthermore, he has championed the Ten Years Perspective Development Plan 2021–2030, which prioritises infrastructure in energy, information and communication technologies (ICT) and roads, and has supported small businesses with land and funding, according to
ENA, a partner of TV BRICS.
Moreover, during his term in office, the country officially
joined the BRICS on 1 January 2024, seeking to strengthen its economic development and international standing. This accession reflects a foreign policy based on mutual benefit and sovereignty, which fosters South-South cooperation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Recently, Abiy Ahmed was named a Champion for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health by the African Union (AU), in recognition of his leadership in digital transformation and his advocacy for strategic autonomy and technological empowerment on the continent, according to
ENA, a partner of TV BRICS.
Thanks to him, Ethiopia has boosted digital infrastructure, e-government services and the creation of Africa’s first Institute of Artificial Intelligence, as well as preparing to launch a university specialising in AI based on the “Medemer” (synergy) philosophy.
These advances form part of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, which includes digital identification systems, payment platforms and youth training programmes, reflecting his vision that digitalisation is key to the country’s economic growth, resilience and competitiveness.